Things you do on the trail to improve the off roader image.

[matt s]

I thought it might be interesting to hear about some of the things people do out on the trail that help improve off road travelers' image.

For instance here is mine.

While out with my son on a designated ORV trail off the Denali Highway, we noticed a family of hikers coming our way down the trail. The trail is above tree line so we could see them a ways off. I stopped and shut down the truck and simply waited. My Son gave me a funny look, wondering what I was up to. When the hikers walked by several minutes later they apologized for blocking the trail, I said "no worries, I stopped so that I didn't disturb your hike with your children, the trail is not going anywhere we can wait." By the looks on their faces this certainly surprised them. Once they were out of site behind us I fired back up and we continued on our way. Two birds with one stone, happy hikers, and my son learned a little about courtesy.

So what are some things you have done that we can stick in our memories and reuse ourselves out on the trail.

Not looking for any attaboys, just trying to start the topic off.

 

[MuddyOval]

My pet peeve is people who preach it but don't DO it. I've seen people who are all "Tread Lightly" who will moan and complain about trash on trails etc, but won't actually go pick up visible trash along the side of the trail. Many times it isn't convenient to pour out stale beer to throw the can in your bag or to step into the woods a couple feet to grab beer cans, but if it's NEAR the trail it needs to be picked up too- not just in the wheel tracks.
If it's too much to pack out, mark it on the GPS and post the coordinates for others to help with. I had a recent trail run take an extra two hours because of trash problems and it was some nasty crap, but NONE of the locals stopped to help when they went by. Sometimes it feels like a losing battle.

 

[craig333]

Picking up trash. Slowing way way down or stopping if the road is very dusty to avoid dusting not just hikers, but anyone else traveling or camping along the road. A simple wave of the hand.

 

[jcbrandon]

I always ask folks on foot or bikes if they have enough water with them. It's easy for me to carry plenty so I've always got enough to share.

I've also found that when I find someone under-prepared or under-equipped, it is far too easy for me to fall into a self-righteous state of mind. It can quickly degenerate into a "they're stupid and I'm not" sort of mindset. This is counter productive and I'm sure transparent. I've seen it in others and so I'm sure others have seen it in me.

Much better to lend whatever help I can, share a bit of knowledge if I have some, and help someone else add to their own bag of outdoor skills.

 

[Purple People Eater]

I always take a few extra bottles of water to keep in the cooler. Any time I pass a bicyclist or hiker, I stop and ask if they have enough water. Most of the time they do, but I've handed out a few bottles. It's a nice gesture that I'm sure doesn't go unnoticed, especially in the Arizona heat.

Also, I know it doesn't affect nature or anything, but wearing a clean shirt and looking hygienically pleasant reduces the "all off-roaders are ignorant rednecks with no respect" image.

*edit* Beat me to it, J.

 

[Ric]

well our group will always pick up trash along the trail. When we come across hikers we pull over, shoot the breeze with them, and will always ask if they have enough water.

 

[T4Rfun]

Good thread. Not only a chance to get ideas and help each other improve the image of off roaders, but maybe educate some that have yet to adopt the same mindset.

A few things.... We (my family) do, but maybe need to do more.

I carry an old military duffel so we can stop along the trail and pick up trash if needed. Always slow or stop for hikers, mountain bikes or horseback riders. Not only is it nice to reduce their dust intake, but we will often ask if they need some cold water. Heck, we carry a fridge and plenty of water... why not share. We've make a few friends and struck up some great conversation this way.

My son and I also volunteer with an organization that patrols the local National Forest and offers assistance, trail maps, and general wilderness and off road education to those visiting the forest. Kind of cool way to give back, while wheeling with friends.

 

[matt s]

Very good stuff. I really like the water bit. I never thought of that and will add it to my list. I already pick up trash, but am glad to see so many others do as well.

Keep it coming!

EDIT: The part about a clean shirt and not looking shabby is pretty funny. A good idea though.

 

[1leglance]

I have a big ammo can on the spare tire with a Tread Lightly sticker and lettering that says "Pack in Pack Out" so that not only can I pick up trash but others can SEE that fact & improve the image.
I have been known to show up to a car show after a trail run with old tires found on the trail strapped to the roof rack. When folks ask I just mention that we always try to pick up junk and keep areas clean.
Stopping & talking is great so that we become known folks instead of "those 4x4 people".
I know that I personally need to get back into picking up more stuff...some times it is just overwhelming how much trash is out there.

I also turn down the music when around other outdoors folks and try to project the best image possible.

 

[Donsfast]

Here locally we adopt trails and work with the forest service. They even occasionally ask us to clean other areas. By "us" I mean a local group of off roaders.

 

[brentbba]

In scouting, we always do camp sweeps before we leave anywhere we've camped, hopefully leaving the site cleaner than we found it, and teaching the boys a good lesson. One particular backpacking hike in the San Gabrial Mountains to The Bridge to Nowhere, the site we camped in was literally a trash bin. We packed out a full trash sack of stuff we picked up in addition to our own trash and packs. Thankfully it was only 3 miles with full packs...and all the extra trash.

x2 on offering water to hikers/bikers along the trail, in addition to stopping to let our dust settle from the trucks for them.

 

[Ursidae69]

Great thread matt s, thanks for starting this. I drop to a crawl or stop for bikers or hikers and when I encounter horses I usually stop completely to let them pass. I've seen people on quads race by horses nearly causing the person on the horse to get dumped when their horse gets spooked. I like the water idea and I've been picking up trash for years, seems like it's for not, but changing the world starts with one person.

 

[6Pins]

When ever we take the kayaks out, I'm always fishing stuff out of the water and trash that I find. When we had the triple out over the weekend, my 7 year old asked me why I'm always picking up trash out of the water, my answer was simple

"It's my water too, and I'd rather not have trash in my water"

 

[craig333]

As for horses, I shut off the engine. Not a bad idea for others too. If they see you shut off your engine they're much more likely to talk to you.

I like to let my dog run loose when I'm not expecting people. He's harmless but I'll still leash him up when i run across people unexpectedly just to make them feel more comfortable.

 

[Ric]

As for horses, I shut off the engine. Not a bad idea for others too. If they see you shut off your engine they're much more likely to talk to you.

Great Idea, we would just pull over giving them more trail than ourselves, we will start shutting off the motors for the horses :victory: