Trash or treasure?

Shawn · Posted: 12/15/2003, 10:28 pm Post subject: Trash or treasure?

On the Six Shooter Canyon hike we found a rather nice jacket in the middle of the trail.

Sunday on the trail back from Reavis Ranch, about a half mile from the TH, we found a zip lock with about a quart of honey and a similar sized container of syrup in it. The bag was all by itself at the base of a large rock near a likely camp site. We debated whether it was left there to be picked up later, or simply forgotten and was "trash."

What is the "right" thing to do when finding something of some value, obviously or apparently not trash, in the back country? Should you haul it out, or leave it there for the owner to return for it?

Comments, thoughts?
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Tom Treks · Gear Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3347

That would probably be a judgement call at the time. I haven't found a whole lot of "stuff" out on the trails except for obvious garbage.

I would say, if you find something of value like a nice jacket, and don't see anyone else on the trail, hang it at the trailhead. On the other hand, if it's something of lesser value, and still noone else on the trail, I'd pack it out as garbage if the ability presents itself.

The little bags of dog poopie are what really ticks me off. I'd love to track one of them folks down, light it on fire, and place it on their doorstep.

This question reminds me of the time when azhiker96 found a whole day pack out in the Supers. Makes ya wonder.

Daryl · Posted: 12/16/2003, 11:26 am Post subject:

I learned a little about the dog poopie thing. On an out and back hike some people will bag the poop and leave it on the trail side to pick up on the way out so they don't have to carry it around all day.

When I stash stuff, I put it somewhere where it won't be found on accident. Anything I find sitting out in the open I assume was left or lost.
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snick33 · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 67 Location: Scottsdale Arizona

Tradesman have a code of ethics, well sort of anyway. If they find a tool on a jobsite, they make sure it's visible, but leave it where they found it.

I've left many a coat or jacket hanging on a bush or tree limb to pickup on the way out. I'd leave them in a less conspicuous place but ah, my memory ain't what it used to be.
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evenstar · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 5548 Location: SCW by way of CA

Lizard · Joined: 11 Jan 2003 Posts: 200 Location: Phoenix, AZ

If its something that could be a cache like water or food, I will leave it alone as I don't want to interfere w/ someone's survival. Ditto for finding a full pack or daypack (could have been left near the trail while someone is going to the bathroom).

But if its not one of those things, I will generally pick it up and pack it out. I don't do this with dog poop though, I don't want to encourage people to leave it sitting out so someone else will pick it up.

ck1 · Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 1331 Location: Mesa

Anytime I've seen something "unusual" on the trail I always think I'm on candid camera or something...who would leave a pack, or a jacket, just laying around...but...stranger things have happened. I would hang the item visibly nearby as mentioned by others.

I've been impressed with our group hikes in so far as most of the members pack out MORE than they pack in. AZHIKER can see microscopic garbage and he fills his pockets with the trash of others.

As a dog owner, I've practiced the "get it on the way out" routine, though I usually try to put the baggie somewhere off trail and out of sight of someone who doesn't know it's around.

What get's me is two items...cig butts and food scraps like apple cores and orange peels.
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GTG · Posted: 12/16/2003, 11:15 pm Post subject: pack it out

mike · What box? Joined: 30 Dec 2002 Posts: 3134

Daryl · Posted: 12/17/2003, 11:17 am Post subject:

Shihiyea · Joined: 20 Oct 2003 Posts: 1135

When my boys were little, I would carry an extra bag on hikes and pick up other peoples trash.....they asked me why I did this and my answer was simple and it's also my current signature. I told them, "because one day I want my grandchildren to see this place more beautiful than we are seeing it".

Wiz · Joined: 04 Jan 2003 Posts: 61

Many times I have dropped my pack in order to explore some difficult area more easily. I hope no one sees it and packs it out thinking it's trash! There are lots of good reasons a pack might be lying there. Also, if someone turns up missing, it might be their pack laying there that tips the search team off. So I leave that sort of thing strictly alone.

I pack out obvious trash that I find. Poop I leave alone. I mean, it's not like the critters don't poop! Articles of clothing, wel-l-l... if it's something nice or expensive, like a jacket or something, I leave it alone because the owner might come back for it. If it's like a bandanna or a glove, I treat it as trash.
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snick33 · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 67 Location: Scottsdale Arizona

I leave clothing where I find it, after I try it on of course.
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grouphiker · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 44 Location: Peoria

Pick it up and put it at the trail head maybe?if it was a loop that is what I would do for sure, if not sure of which trail head the hiker may have started from I would drop it off at the rangers station.

Shawn · Posted: 12/27/2003, 10:20 pm Post subject:

Biggest piece of trash I hauled out was the removable edge to a road grader blade, from about a mile north of First Water, probably left over from ranching days. Hauled a busted up lawn chair from Hideout Spring in the Galiero's.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.