Thoughts on Trail Customs & Courtesies

At the Trail Head

• Park out of the way, don’t stack gear on the trail
• Verify Medical, Tour, Backcountry, and Fire Permits are in the "Trek Leader’s" pack
• Discuss day’s destination, distance and eating times
• Discuss emergency’s, what to do and where to go
• Pack and Gear Check, Food, Water, Maps
• Pack Weight Check for over and under weight packs
• Buddy system (pecking order)
• Stay on the trails and don’t "cut" switch backs
• Don’t mess with signage or build Cairns
• Look at everyone; do they look ready or worried?
• If a Ranger is present, check in with them
• Check Trail Head Bulletin Boards for info and restrictions

Heading out on the trail

• Select a trail "Leader" (Pace Setter)
• Select a "Tail End Charlie" (Adult)
• "Leader" then asks the "Question"
• "Is anyone not ready?"
• All conversations should immediately stop
• The "Leader" then listens for any replies

After 15 minutes on the trail

• Check packs for fit and comfort
• Inspect packs for loose gear
• Check feet and boots for blister problems

After 30 minutes on the trail

• Discreetly check everyone’s demeanor at all breaks
• Determine if "Leader’s" pace is a good one
• Remind everyone to drink

After 60 minutes on the trail (every 60 min. there after)

• Take a pack off break for 5 to 10 minutes
• Select a shady, off-trail area
• If it goes longer than 10, take at least 20 minutes
• Encourage snacking and drinking
• Check feet for blisters and hot spots
• Verify location before moving on
• "Leader" asks the "Question"

When Nature calls

• Call out for a "quick" or "big bio break"

• Usually; Ladies go up hill, Men go down hill
• Select a spot off-trail to use
• If safety permits, be 200 feet from water or camp
• Don’t pee on plants or trees
• If needed, dig a cat hole (How to S**t in the Woods)
• Post guards if needed for privacy
• "Leader" asks the "Question" before continuing

Trail Junctions

• "Leader" stops, waits for "Tail End Charlie" to arrive
• Determine correct route from map (signs unreliable)
• Leader asks the "Question" before continuing

Streams or Water Crossings

• "Leader" stops, waits for "Tail End Charlie" to arrive

• Everyone unbuckles Hip Belts and Sternum Straps
• Cross as safety dictates (Stream Crossing Talk)
• Last one across calls out "Last one across"
• "Leader" asks the "Question" before continuing

Meeting up with other Hikers

• The group going up hill gets the "Right of Way"
• If they approach from ahead, "Leader" calls "to your right" and continues or stops as needed
• If they approach from the behind, "Tail End Charlie" calls "to your right", stop if your going up hillSay "hello", they’re a resource or potential rescuers
• Exchange trail information with them as needed
• If you do stop, "Leader" should ask the "Question"

Lunch Time

• Select a shady, off-trail area
• Close to a water feature is recommended if the evenings camp will be dry
• Those with lunch should already know who they are
• Use hand sanitizer before preparing and eating food
• Don’t sit on packs or use them as tables (smellable)
• Filter water during this break if possible as it can be time consuming (Water Purification Talk)
• Verify location before moving on
• "Leader" asks the "Question"

Gates and Fences

• Leave gates and fences as you find them
• Hold the gate as conditions dictate
• Be careful not to damage gates or fences
• Last one through calls out "Last one across"
• "Leader" asks the "Question" before continuing

Horse Riders and Pack Animals

• Clear the trail early; Always Give them right-of-way
• Move to the down hill side
• Don’t make sudden movements or touch the animals
• Watch for "land mines" ahead

Mountain Bicycles (cyclists)

• Stay to the right of trail
• Avoid high speed collisions by leaving room for the cyclists to pass safely
• Many will call out "on your left" or "on your right" to let you know which side they are passing you on
• Be alert; cyclists traveling downhill will not be able to stop quickly, be prepared to step out of their way
• You have the right of way, but it still hurts (sometimes a lot) when you get hit so be careful
• Where there's one cyclist, there's usually more so be prepared!

Arriving at the Campsite

• Don’t take the first or last site in a "Designated" camping area, late comers will need those
• If not a "Designated" site, set up a least 100’ or more from the trail and the water source, animals frequently use trails and forage along waters edge
• If on a meadow, spread out around the edges of it, don’t create trails or fire rings, use durable surfaces where possible for cooking
• Protect your food and smellables as a first priority upon arrival, select a place between tents and water source (Bear Bagging Talk)
• Don’t feed animals as they will become habitually attracted to humans, this is a good reason to not use established campsites in the backcountry
• Decide on a cooking and clean up area, this area should also be located between tents and the water source as bears are lazy and tend to walk in straight lines between water and food resources
• Fires, if permitted, should be built in established fire rings or, built on durable surfaces when they are not available. Disassemble them before departing including spreading the ashes. Don’t leave any firewood stacked for future visitors
• Burn your trash as this sanitizes it, remember to remove and pack out any residue from the fire
• Set up tents away from cooking area

Bears and Mini Bears Love Smellables

• The "Golden Rule" is don’t take Smellables into your tent!
• Fish oil is the best bear attractant ever
• Clothing soiled by food or drink is a smellable
• Camera film and duct tape are smellables
• Bottles or bladders that have ever had anything other than water in them are a smellable
• Your teeth are a smellable if you use toothpaste after approximately 5 pm
• Your first aid kit and hygiene items are smellables
• Backpacks and stuff sacks that have had food spilt in or on them are smellables
• If you think it might be a smellable, it is a smellable
• Sleep clean to avoid that midnight confrontation

Thirteenth Point of the Scout Law: A Scout is Hungry

• Eat properly and monitor that others do to
• Only prepare enough food that will satisfy appetites and be completely consumed
• Food remnants should be incinerated or packed out
• Compact trash for packing out (job on duty roster)
• Use a bowl you can lick out completely
• Sanitize pots, utensils and dishes with boiling water
• Use a minimal amount of dish soap, if any at all
• Dispose of dishwashing water only after screening out food debris (a Frisbee with small holes punched in it works great here, and doubles as an after dinner entertainment and light exercise)
• Leave cook gear around cooking area or bear bag it

Trail Personal Hygiene

• Use hand sanitizer before preparing and eating food
• Clean your feet and inspect for blisters daily
• Inspect yourself daily for ticks
• Use warm water with one drop of dish soap dissolved in it and bandana to wash yourself
• Rinse with clean water from a drinking bottle and dry with a small absorbent towel
• Brush your teeth but use the toothpaste sparingly

• Follow LNT guidelines for waste disposal

Camp Courtesy

• Be friendly, respect other campers and their site
• Share trail information
• Don’t berate other peoples gear
• Keep noise down when playing with that Frisbee
• Never throw or roll rocks around
• Keep horse play away from other sites
• Observe LNT guidelines

Enjoy Your Sleep But…

• Discuss the next days plan, distances, food stops, where the closest help is and evacuation points
• Remember to be quiet in the am as others may still be sleeping
• Have your morning routine planned out so everyone knows what is expected of them
• Rest easy knowing you have done all you can to protect the environment, oh, and to protect those Scouts you have with you too…
• Tomorrow, your going to "rinse and repeat"
• Break camp and leave nary a clue that you where ever there…

Thanks To Eric Jackson, HAT volunteer extraordinare, for preparing, sharing & presenting this material at the 2009 Backpacking Awareness Program!

This page revised March 29, 2009