Trekking through wild and untouched nature is one of the best ways to see what our planet truly looks like. To keep this experience pristine, it's essential to follow outdoor ethics—something brilliantly illustrated in comics by my friend, Masha Yakushenkova.
Rule 1
Masha's note: “Someone in my group dropped a pile right next to the trail, and it made my blood boil. I wanted to call a grand council, hand out stones to everyone, and hold a solemn farewell ceremony, erecting an obelisk over the fallen hero. But after taking a deep breath, I settled for a lengthy lecture on how to properly dispose of nuclear waste so our descendants won't be ashamed of us.
Admittedly, we didn't have a trowel on that trek. But the principles of using a digging stick and building a cairn were well learned. Fortunately, I later found proof of this in the woods.
Never before did I think that the sight of a stone pile with a discreet piece of toilet paper sticking out would fill me with warmth and a touch of pride. A true educator, darn it!))”
Rule 2
Masha's note: “Ever wondered what a bright ribbon looks like after winter? — It looks sad.
In the Altai, we saw what ‘lucky’ wish ribbons turn into after a couple of seasons in a wet climate — tattered rags overgrown with lichen. Not a pretty sight.
No matter how pure your intentions are, if you don't plan to come back for your lucky ribbon after your wish comes true, don't tie it to a tree.
Be smart hikers, respect one another, and honor everyone's right to untouched nature!”
Rule 3
Always greet others on the trail and be polite to fellow hikers. Sometimes a simple “hello” is enough to make new friends or lift a tired trekker's spirits for the entire day.
Rule 4
“My name is Masha, and I hike in the mountains.
A long time ago, when trees were tall and the world was full of mysteries, I caught myself thinking that other hikers annoyed me. It was a rather inconsistent thought, considering that at the time I was a youth tourism instructor—meaning my job was literally multiplying those very hikers.
Well, when something annoys you, there are two ways to act: walk around, whine, and do nothing, or walk around, whine, and do something.
For instance, talking about the obvious things. Because the obvious things are the easiest to neglect. Hiking and trekking are steadily gaining popularity, and we all need a shared code of conduct.
Let's be smart hikers for the pure joy of being outdoors!”
Comments (0)