I love the outdoors. And I love social media. Both have connected me to people and places that are often lost amidst the tyranny of everyday life.
And when they combine, they transport me to extraordinary new places and remind me how much the world still holds for me to discover and explore.
But for all of the wondrous things that they bring to our lives, combining the beauty of the outdoors with the allure of social media stardom has created a community of people exalting behavior that is shameful, self-centered, and irresponsible.
Recently, a campsite on a rocky ledge in the White Mountains caught my attention. Indeed, it was a beautiful photo with a breathtaking view of the Whites.
The problem? Camping above the alpine zone is illegal in the White Mountain National Forest. Not because the Forest Service is a bunch of twits looking to ruin your good time, but because those systems are as fragile as they are tenacious. They are extremely susceptible to trampling and may take years to recover when disturbed.
I’ve become disheartened at the number of photos I’ve seen of late glorifying activities like this one, which are unethical, illegal, or both. To make matters worse, these posts are often liked and praised widely because they capture spectacular scenery and embody the spirit of freedom & self-determination that resonates with many outdoor enthusiasts.
Yet in the age of internet stardom, many people who claim to love the outdoors are more concerned with getting that “epic” shot than understanding and respecting the world around them. They explore and promote “nature” simply as a means of promoting themselves – indulging their egos and basking in the adoration of others who only wish they were living life like such a “boss.”
But make no mistake – these “epic adventures” are no more than outstanding lessons in how to be an asshole.
How to disregard the rules when you think you’re too cool (and important) to follow them.
How to disrespect the world around you and encourage others to follow suit – all in the name of showcasing what a “badass” you are.
Some people inadvertently break the rules because they’re simply naive to them. It’s not an excuse, because it’s your responsibility to understand the rules before you embark on an outing.
But all too often I see the same people (or collectives) sharing the same types of photos. And if you’re that “experienced” outdoors, you know better. You’re not making a rookie mistake – you’re making an irresponsible choice in pursuit of popularity.
I can only hope that this trend will become less popular as people speak up & speak out that it isn’t acceptable. If you are uncertain about what constitutes good behavior, here are 8 tips to avoid turning your own adventure into a lesson in outdoor douchebaggery.
#1 – Stay on the trails
If you’re hiking, walking, running, biking, or otherwise exploring an area with well-developed trails – please stay on them. They’re there for a reason, and that’s to keep the traffic where the landowner wants it & away from the areas where they don’t want it.
Most people wouldn’t recognize vernal pools, threatened plant species, ground-nesting bird nests, or other curiosities you often encounter off-trail. All of those things can be easy to trample, and nothing will ruin your trip like squashing a nest full of baby birds.
Trails are also maintained to keep you safe. The individuals who built the trail spent time examining how to showcase the best route without putting your life in danger. And if the trail does intersect with a potentially dangerous feature, they typically post signage or block access to the best of their ability. Some people disregard these signs, but every year a handful of people die because they blatantly ignored warnings that could have saved their lives.
#2 – Comply with signage
In addition to staying on trails, please comply with signage that asks you to refrain from throwing rocks, standing on designated cliff edges, or going into areas where you’re asked not to do so.
Yosemite National Park recently highlighted this issue on their Instagram page by showcasing a photo of several people blatantly disregarding a sign that said “Do Not Enter” to frolic on a rocky edge over a nearly 4,000 foot drop to the Yosemite Valley floor. In this case, the sign was placed to keep people alive. Yet one young man saw fit to disagree with the Park telling him what he could and could not do there, noting “you mean the same park system that charges us money to see what we as humans have natural rights to see for free? Ya I’ll go to whatever part of the park I want.”
Being a whiny and entitled brat won’t win you any favors outdoors. And in fact, attitudes like that one not only cause damage, but will likely get you hurt.
#3 – Pack out what you bring in
When you head outdoors, the goal isn’t only to make memories – it’s also to leave it how you found it.
Regardless of the activity you’re enjoying, that means taking any and all food, water bottles, wrappers, baggies, leftover food, cigarette butts, gum, diapers (seriously!), dog poop, and fruit or veggie peels with you. You can bring an extra baggie or container with you for just this purpose, or if you forget, you can use one that’s leftover or shift items around to make one available.
If you don’t have any bags or containers, then you’re what we call “shit outta luck.” So you’ll have to make do by storing them somewhere in your pack or pockets. But please – for the love of PETE! – don’t leave it for someone else to pick up.
If you want more clarity on the principles of Leave No Trace, please visit them here.
#4 – Show wildlife some respect
There’s nothing wrong with capturing a great shot of an animal outdoors, but please do so respectfully. If you have to pick it up, reposition it, play your iBird app, or chase it down to get “that” shot, you’re being a jerk.
Animals have important animal shit to do like find food, take care of young, and evade predators. What they don’t need is some dimwit poking them with a stick or forcing them to flee or defend themselves for your amusement.
As I’ve said before, what precipitates most unfortunate encounters between humans and wildlife has everything to do with the bipedal ape and less to do with the other animal that’s minding its own business. So mind your manners and admire them from a healthy distance.
#5 – Only camp where camping is permitted
Sounds obvious, right? And it should be. If you aren’t certain if you’re allowed to camp at a site, or if so, where you can camp, there’s a simple solution: it’s called asking. Check their website, call them up, send an email. In the age of smartphones, it couldn’t be easier to determine what’s allowed before you make assumptions (or presume that forgiveness is easier than permission).
Ignorance isn’t bliss, and if you camp where it’s prohibited, you risk not only trampling sensitive vegetation that may take years to recover from your self-absorbed dumbassery, but you may incur a hefty fine for breaking the rules.
#6 – Keep your dog with you & under your control at all times
If you’re exploring a new place, first make sure that they allow dogs, because not every outdoor location permits them. And some that do require that you use a leash. But EVERY spot expects your dog to be well-mannered.
So please don’t let them jump on other people, visit other dogs without their owners’ permission, or chase wild animals. And if they poop in the woods, be sure to take it with you and dispose of it properly. The only poop left in the woods should be from the animals that live there – not the ones that visit.
#7 – Remember that your behavior has consequences
How you choose to behave outdoors has long-lasting consequences. It’s a privilege to explore these wild places that have been set aside & made available to all of us. When a few people break the rules and create damage, it affects everyone’s ability to experience those places. More importantly, it also impacts the plants and animals that call those areas home.
Between our roads, homes, food, and shopping centers, we already do plenty to degrade their habitat. They don’t need us trampling the last bit of life out of them just to impress our Instagram friends.
#8 – Only like or share photos that showcase appropriate outdoor behavior
This one can be tough, because in the fury of scrolling through your news feed, it’s easy to “like” at first glance. But if you notice that someone is doing or promoting something dangerous, unethical, or illegal, please don’t support it.
If you think that someone’s made a genuine error as a result of inexperience, you can remind them gently and politely why what they’re doing is suspect. But if you know that they know better, please don’t fuel their egos and further encourage them (and others) to continue these activities.
Bottomline
I’m all for folks getting outside. By all means, people, get out and enjoy it! Love it, live it, breathe it, take it in! But please do so responsibly.
Most outdoor “rules” are based in conservation, common sense, and courtesy. Choosing not to abide by them doesn’t make you a rebel, a boss, or a bad-ass.
It makes you an asshole, and do us all a favor by leaving that shitty attitude at home.