I wonder if he's any relation to my previous neighbor who kept introducing herself as Reverend Rose after taking Ambien.Originally Posted by jgillam
Lord Calvert, perhaps?
I get it though Pony. I wouldn't want an escalating grab for my attention for a LNT Pow wow if I was stressing to pack up to beat the approaching rain. LOL. It would have been drip drip pit pat pat. I gotta go. They usually hand you a LNT card. I'd have thanked them and been on my way.
As said they probably were inspecting. BUT I operate under the etiquette one should always ask first to look under your tarp, inside your tent, unzip a hammock fly, pick up anything, touch any of your gear, etc. And, I behave likewise.
TIP: Learn the LNT Principles. Apply them. Be conscientious of others. Good intentions shouldn't excuse questionable judgement. Feeling people out and being acutely aware of situations with greater sensitivity would have gone a long way for everyone involved.
BTW, I don't know if this applies in every state but legally an enclosed tent or hammock is a dwelling afforded the same privacy rights as those that live in houses. If one steals from inside your tent or under your tarp that can be burglary...of a dwelling.
I can only imagine the uproar if the AMC sent volunteers to inspect people’s campsites.
Especially if they wore nothing to identify themselves and the organization they were representing.
If there are any law enforcement officers on this list, I bet they would tell you even guilty people consent to searches all the time—- simply because of the way they asked.
Just human nature.
It’s almost a given that.a hiker would allow two self-identified volunteers into their camp if asked, right?
The questions should not be whether the inspectors asked, though, but rather why that boundary was not respected in the first place.
Should've just said, Sorry, No, I'd love to help out but I want to get packed before the rain hits. Sorry, No is a polite and quick way out of a lot of situations.
The Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter ~ Cam "Swami" Honan of OZ
Have you been there? A dismembered (IIRC) corpse was found there a few years ago and I've read multiple reports of vehicles broken into. It's one of the more sketchy places in the mid Atlantic area hike, though I've never had any problems myself.Yeah watch out for those tech savvy organized tribe of Dolly Sod Gear bandits on the loose. Wonder if they have IR?
Again, you fall back to non-existent greivances. OP didn't leave TP and "spaghetti O's". If you see someone doing something wrong, feel free to kindly point it out. If not, MYOB. This board has enough of it's own folks who like to give unsolicited advice. HYOH.We have different ways of agreeably describing what happened based on what was shared. Educating or teaching or simply communicating often does involve a give and take including inquiry among participants. Knowing one's audience is fundamental to communicating. How does a teacher get to know their audience unless inquiry occurs? Should that be deemed a search or interrogation?It seems like simple LNT educator inquiry that was invited.
I don't have issue with someone attempting to cordially asking questions after stating their intent or coming to my camp after they asked if it was OK and I invited them. I don't see where anyone pushed themselves on anyone given what was shared. Maybe it's the outdoors environment or culture where some feel threatened being approached? Maybe, it involves push back against the surveillance state? Maybe, interpersonal real physical person to physical person interaction is becoming a lost social skill - a reason for feeling threatened when confronted in the flesh? OR, MAYBE it's were so self absorbed, self concerned, easily offended and filled with hubris? This comes from someone who can get very uppity about protecting his privacy.
If you think this event was pushy I find leaving a pile of improperly undisposed of human excrement with a soiled TP flower at a CS behind and left over Spaghetti O's and vienna sausage cans and in fire rings and mangled foilage and human contaminated water much more pushy...in what is supposed to be Dolly Sods Wilderness. Has everyone posting been to DS WA established CS's during high use periods like fall? I have. These are just some of the things experienced that can be addressed by knowing and applying LNT ethics.
I don't think you were a "jerk," although sarcasm is never good. Sounds like they wanted to check the campsite for cleanliness, not necessarily if you were violating LNT. If you were, I'm sure they would have been polite about educating you, as the man sounded friendly and complimentary. Also, unlike what other commenters have attributed, they didn't handle your gear, they just poked in your fire ring...correct?
The AT is getting more and more crowded, and more hikers means more indifference and ignorance. Many hikers, unfortunately, have no compunction about leaving trash behind. It's good to hear there are volunteers who are spreading the gospel of LNT, which for many is the preferable alternative to government restrictions. That being said, you weren't a jerk, and the fact you posted this shows that you don't want to be one, so I wouldn't worry about it.
I think by your side of the story, the one was a little overzealous about her new 'save the planet' job, which we all were in our youth. Her co-volunteer recognized your annoyance and level of experience by then and moved on. People skilz have to be developed.
As do spelling skills.(sorry, I couldn't resist)
"It's fun to have fun, but you have to know how." ---Dr. Seuss
:d..................!as do spelling skills.
If a couple of young guys ride up to your house on bicycles, wearing dress shirts with black ties and carrying pamphlets proclaiming some good news they'd like to share with you, and the knock on your door catches you off guard so you invite them in for a few minutes, you shouldn't be surprised if they start asking questions about your spiritual beliefs.
That being said, once you've realized your mistake, you're entitled to be as much (or as little) of a jerk as you deem necessary to put an end to it. If you're wondering if you were a jerk, it's because your conscience is telling you that you were, so you probably were. But ultimately it doesn't matter, because you're allowed to be. I'm sure your family and friends still like you haha.
-tagg
Several years ago, I had a similar experience in New Hampshire. A young woman was trying to educate us (my wife and I) on everything in the vicinity of her tenting area. She drove us nuts. I think it goes back to the old idea that, "it's not what you say but how you say it."
The content of her comments were quite reasonable but the way she delivered them made us feel that we were being scolded every time she opened her mouth. We couldn't pack up soon enough the following morning.
They asked...you consented. We, as individuals, choose how we react.
Termite fart so much they are responsible for 3% of global methane emissions.
All he had to do was say “No”. If he is irritated, he should be irritated at himself for saying “Yes”.
That's the post that hits the nail on the head IMO.
Having not even been packed up and had two individuals regardless of age/physical ability want to invite themselves into what I've deemed my personal space is a no go from the beginning. But my personal safety radar is turned up to 11 when I'm out on the trail as is everyone's that I encounter. Being a large framed male leads to many hi-and-bye interactions with single traveling individuals, whereas groups of two or more will be significantly more willing to chat for a few seconds with me. Human nature, interestingly keeping self preservation a high priority.
A time and place for everything, even being a jerk. Don't sweat it.
Hey,I know those guys!My brother and I rode all night on a commercial overseas flight with them and they never shut up.Apparently,they get around.......
It's obvious OP was taken off guard by the initial request.I'm glad this incident was shared on WB so anyone else will be ready if queried by the trash and poop police.
Well, I think the OP explained that he was caught off guard and that his initial response was just being considerate to what initially seemed like just some folks trying to help - in what way, he could not exactly be sure. IMO, they were then inconsiderate, and probably unknowingly so but still. In hindsight, they would show more tact, and OP would show more patience. He need not be irritated at himself.
And if we're going to hold a line on "they asked, you consented", then I'm saying No to everything.
"I wonder if anyone else has an ear so tuned and sharpened as I have, to detect the music, not of the spheres, but of earth, subtleties of major and minor chord that the wind strikes upon the tree branches. Have you ever heard the earth breathe... ?"
- Kate Chopin
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote