Unless you plan to venture off into the remotest sections of a trail, chances are you will run into some other hikers. Nowadays, more and more people enjoy hiking, trekking and backpacking.
Image Credit: argyruntum.com
There are some basic rules of trail etiquette that you need to know and observe. These rules apply regardless of where you are - in the Rocky Mountains, Acadia National Park or anywhere else.
Yield!
When you’re out hiking, you will run into hikers, backpackers and trekkers. You need to know whether you have to yield or not. For instance, bikers yield to hikers. Hikers and bikers yield to horses. Come on, it’s a horse! Who would like to go head to head with horses? Depending on where you are, it might be easier for a hiker to yield to a biker. Handling a bike is easy. It is always easy for a hiker to just step to the side when a biker comes along.
Image Credit: hikeontario.com
When you’re hiking, it is hard to huff and puff your way up a steep incline. The last thing you would want to do is to allow someone to cruise down pass you. So, the next time you go hiking, allow the uphill climber the right of way. Uphill climbers are doing more work. They need to keep up their momentum, so let them have the right of way.
Observe Road Rules
When hiking, make sure to observe road rules: stick to the right but pass on the left. Avoid stretching full across the trail when you’re with a group. Observe a single file. If the trail is too narrow to pass on, avoid stepping on vegetation.
Stick to the Trail
This rule is pretty simple. Don’t try to shorten your hike by opting to pursue a different trail. You could cause erosion, or you could destroy forest foliage. You might also end up destroying a trail and loosening boulders and rocks.
Image Credit: landfallnavigation.com
Avoid Doing Calls
Unless it’s a matter of life or death, you should avoid making or receiving calls to chat up your buddy or make dinner plans. A hiker having a loud conversation on his phone can destroy a pleasant hike for other people. Do the rest of the trail users a favor. Avoid the calls until you’re back at your car.
Image Credit: mnn.com
Pack in, pack out
This is quite simple. If you bring something to the trail, make sure it take it out too. You’d be surprised at how irresponsible some hikers could be. You’d find litter on even the remotest of trails.
