Mountain Respect

[XterraRob]

GET OFF MY DAMN MOUNTAIN, YOU BRUSH POPPING HORNSWAGLER. WE DON'T NEED YOUR ILK AROUND HERE.!!!

If you SCREAM this, while wearing a visible sidearm, the offender will likely move away from you.

Please run for governor.

[two lunches]

GET OFF MY DAMN MOUNTAIN, YOU BRUSH POPPING HORNSWAGLER. WE DON'T NEED YOUR ILK AROUND HERE.!!!

If you SCREAM this, while wearing a visible sidearm, the offender will likely move away from you.

Please run for governor.

got my vote

[highpilgrim]

Please run for governor.

I'll start a gofundme page: https://.gofundme.com/ShowMEtheMONEY

I actually live in Missouri, but with all the internet technology available, I can probably run Colorado from home.

[Sean Nunn]

Please run for governor.

I'll start a gofundme page: https://.gofundme.com/ShowMEtheMONEY

I actually live in Missouri, but with all the internet technology available, I can probably run Colorado from home.

If you win, please include me on the invitation list to your meeting with the president.
I would LOVE to be there for that.

[12ersRule]

Please run for governor.

I'll start a gofundme page: https://.gofundme.com/ShowMEtheMONEY

I actually live in Missouri, but with all the internet technology available, I can probably run Colorado from home.

If you win, please include me on the invitation list to your meeting with the president.
I would LOVE to be there for that.

Drumpf already got hold of a rumor that HighPilgrim would blow off a meeting, and rescinded his invite.

[Ptglhs]

I think if you're loudly screaming anything while wearing a visible sidearm most people will likely move away from you, probably rather quickly.

Unlike the internet, where if you make incendiary statements online half the people will roll their eyes and ignore you, and the other half will abet the insanity, as the OP so nicely elucidated.

[Rollie Free]

Picking up trash doesn't have to be done with an attitude. I am willing to bet 95% of wrappers etc. you see on the trail were not littered intentionally but fell out of a pocket. I once got hot and tied one of my favorite shirts to my waist. At some point I noticed it was gone. Could have been miles back. I hope one of you nice people picked it up.... you can keep it.

[Hershel]

I understand the concern about environmental destruction but I believe some people on here overplay it. There are a handful of 14ers that are eroded due to abundant traffic. The rest are in pretty good shape (thanks in part to CFI work). And the other 2000 or so mountains in the state of CO (Bartlett and a few others being exceptions) are in nearly pristine condition. So I think overall erosion due to human traffic is not a big issue.

Trash is always a problem, and always will be, but again, honestly, I have never seen what I would call a huge trash problem on any mountain except perhaps at a trailhead or 2. Yes I pick up an occasional wrapper or empty water bottle, but nothing like you see at the edges of roads in the cities and suburbs. I tell all the people that go hiking with me (they are younger than me so hopefully they listen) to leave no trash on any mountain. Education takes care of the problem for most people. A few are willingly ignorant/apathetic; that has always been the case and always will be.

I think in reality the erosion is NEVER underplayed. Fact is if we 'use' the mountains (which we should), then we are eroding them. Period. But trail restoration/maintenance is a key factor, as is education of those who hike. So yes, while those hiking off trail can be extremely frustrating, we should always remember to engage with kindness, empathy, and also giving them the benefit of the doubt (of ignorance). Ignorance can be equally frustrating, but we were all once uneducated. After engaging, they might turn out to be a jerk. This can't be helped. But most likely they're not!

There was a time I was hiking down La Plata near treeline at a steep, mostly dirt section. There are social trails that IMO shouldn't be used, but they're quite worn down and cut out some of the switchbacks. My friend took one to avoid a fellow hiker who was ascending. Literally the only trail he cut all day, about 20 feet. This dude (without hesitation) told my friend that he needed to stay on the trail. There was no greeting and it was quite rude. This was literally all he said. So he arbitrarily decided that my friend was in the wrong and then he had the right to be a total jerk. Nope not okay!

I just hope for others to lead by example and engage in a conversation before lecturing. Also trash is certainly a problem and you should pick it up and pack it out if you see it. We're all people and deserve respect (just like the mountain, except for the people part!).