by Colin Aina
One of the driving factors that motivates me is to allow people that I work with the opportunity to have the ability to function better in everyday life (like bringing a recently exploded water heater out of the basement of your one hundred and ten year-old house..sigh). Another drive is to help people achieve the physical ability to do outdoor activities that they've never done or haven't done in a long time.
BUT since early March, things took a bit of a weird turn. Since the pandemic hit and rendered all of our spring travel plans cancelled, social watering holes closed, nowhere really to go, people started to flock to the outdoors. I was supposed to spend the end of April in Moab, Utah on a mountain biking trip but that had to be cancelled. Admittedly, the first few months of the shutdown meant that I had a bit more time on my hands to ride on the road and on my favorite trails. Rock climbing was (still kinda IS) out of the question with most of the climbing coalitions strongly advising against it. Even hiking in some areas was ill-advised.
Part of my weekly routine, my meditation, my "me" time is to get out onto the trails midday for a ride. Some of my usual riding routes bring me upwards of 8 miles away from trailheads and where hikers hardly ever venture. It's very peaceful being out there and I'd run into (at few times almost literally) some deer, other wildlife and the occasional human. I started noticing more people hiking and many new mountain bikers. They were easy to spot with shiny gear and would ask for directions back to the parking area. I love helping to get new people outdoors, so this was good to see. I did, however, also start to notice an increase of trash on the trails consisting of canine poop bags, masks, wrappers, and water bottles. Many people are unaware of the seven principles of Leave No Trace (LNT). These guidelines are put in place to keep us safe and to ensure that our public (and private) lands are minimally affected.
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare - Always have a plan when going outside! Rather, have the same plan in order, and the same protocol. No, you don't have to have an elaborate plan when going to a local park where getting lost would be hard. But even in state parks here in RI, you'd be surprised by the amount of people that get lost. You don't have to be more than a quarter mile from a road in the forest to not ever see of hear that road. Especially now, check the local guidelines for the place you intend to go. There are many pandemic rules and guidelines and all are different based on a town, county, municipal and state levels. Always check the weather and plan accordingly.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces - The trails upon which we travel took many people many hours and effort to construct. As simple as it may seem, there is a fair amount of engineering that goes into it. I've helped to build trails and it's always much more labor and time intensive than I think it's going to be. Many considerations like soil type, erosion potential and how water will drain take a lot of planning, especially on multi-use trails that see foot and tire traffic. Staying on trail will also ensure that you don't come in contact with poisonous pants like poison ivy as well as not come across something that may bite you!
3. *Dispose of Waste Properly*- There are few things that enrage me more than seeing trash in the woods. I've noticed a strange phenomena of poop bags out in the woods lately; You took the time to clean up your dogs' poop, but then left the bag there?!! It would have made more sense to leave it and let it degrade naturally (which is also a no-no due to the dogs's diet.. their waste -and ours- has negative impact in the wild). We have a luxury in this country called trash pickup! BUT it should never be assumed that you'll find a trash can at a trailhead or an entrance to a park. Always plan to "pack it out" with you. This also affects the wildlife...we all saw the video of that poor turtle!
Under normal circumstances I'd recommend picking up the trash that you come across in an effort to leave a place in better condition than you found it. Again, the pandemic dictates that we be more cautious with things that others have touched. I almost always mountain bike with gloves on so I at least have a barrier and make sure to disinfect them if I do collect trash.
4. Leave What You Find - This has been VERY apparent on local trails as of late. On technical sections of trails that may be challenging for newer and less-skilled riders to ride through, people have been constructing their own "go-arounds" to bypass the hard section. Constructing of new trails without a permit is met with harsh action ( I've been reprimanded harshly by the parks dept for simply fixing an existing trail without going through the proper channels). It may seem harmless to pick a few wildflowers, but if everyone did it would eradicate those flowers from a given area. Constructing cairns (those pretty little towers of balancing rocks) can aid in people getting lost and even worse. In areas above tree-line, typically above 3000ft, cairns are used to mark a trail and guide people when visibility diminishes. Above tree-line, weather can change rapidly and if thick fog or snowstorm rolls in, a cairn will lead the way.
5. Minimize Campfire Impact - Don't make fires where they're not allowed. Period. MANY of the major wildfires that caused devastation and death in the US are due a single ember. ALSO, If you live in a neighborhood in which you can easily throw a ball to a neighbors' house, that fancy fire pit that you got from HD or JobLot is illegal (I had a next door neighbor get cited a few years back).
6. Respect Wildlife - Okay, I broke this rule a few weeks ago (see pic below). I was taking a quick break and heard rustling in the brush, and saw this little guy or gal. I carry many more germs and foreign bacteria on myself than that turtle has experienced and we put them at risk when we handle them. Look, but don't touch! I hope mr/mrs turtle is okay. I've had numerous interactions with deer (more like mutual staring contests that result in me making weird noises at them) in Lincoln Woods. I came across my first fisher cat in March.
7. *Be Considerate of Other Visitors*- This principle has some new indications with the pandemic going on. Masks should be "on the ready" for use when passing others. I have my buff around my neck at all times and cover my mouth and nose whenever I approach people. The proper etiquette is to kindly step aside, keeping aware not to trample vegetation as best you can and pull your mask on. SIMPLE! Many of us get outside to be in nature and to unplug and shouldn't be subject to others being load or blaring music. Cut that shit out!
This also pertains to your dog. In the state of Rhode Island, dogs are to be leashed at all times while in public land unless otherwise noted by signage. Last time I checked, the penalty was $150 and I know a few people that have been ticketed. If in an area where off-leashed dogs are allowed, you must have total control of your dog. Having your dog run off after a wild animal can end badly for both animals. You may have the friendliest dog that loves people, but having your dog run up to a person or another dog that you come across is bad news. Saying " Oh it's okay, she's friendly," means nothing if that person has a fear of dogs or if that other dog is not. Dogs can turn very defensive when on a leash. If you're on a bike and approaching a person with a dog, leashed or not, stop and let them pass. The prey instinct of that dog can kick in if you're riding a bike. I've kicked a few dogs in the head that have flanked me while riding and were trying to bite my feet. I was riding with one of my dogs (leashed) and a loose dog ran up and attacked my dog. Again, kick to the head. That dog's owner put it at risk by not having it leashed.
Make sure you get out there and explore.. Some of most beautiful places may be in your own backyard. Just make sure that you do so responsibly and safely!