Too Many Hikers? - The Outdoor Evolution Podcast #24
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- Опубліковано 5 тра 2022
- Darwin is joined by Executive Director of the Arizona Trail, Matt Nelson, to discuss the overcrowding issues that are starting to plague long-distance trails like the AT, PCT, & the AZT. Is Education, Permits, or Funding the answer to this growing problem? Is there such a thing as "too many hikers" on the trail?
From Episode 24 of The Outdoor Evolution Podcast: Too Many Hikers?
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Absolutely it's real. The biggest reason for overcrowding is the internet: Anyone can spend 15 minutes on the internet and find all the best places to exploit in an area. And it goes both ways; it's not necessarily just tourists looking for day hikes, the locals who are adding the spots to maps need to be more cognizant of the consequences from adding a new place on maps, that it will potentially be seen by millions and could have tens or hundreds of thousands of new foot traffic every year. The second component to this is the access is too easy for many locations. We don't need trailheads right next to points of interest...we need to increase the approach trails, making them longer and more difficult. Max Patch is a great example of this - the fact the parking lot was literally at the footstep of the bald is why it became a party spot full to littering, nudity, drug use, and loud music. It didn't require any skill, experience, or inside knowledge to get there. Chances are people saw it on social media and want to get their own Instagram snap.
Yep, people should not be geo-tagging their photos either.
Any AZT permits should give priority to Zonies. ;)
Just the pandemic alone caused National Parks and State Parks to be overcrowded . I’m Not counting Yellowstone lol
Just trying to make a reservation at State Parks is insane. 2-4 weeks out or longer to get a camp spot. Alot of people that have started going outdoors don’t respect it, don’t respect others out there.
In my area, it's been an issue getting reservations at the state owned lands for 25 years not since the pandemic. Some parks are reserved for a year in advance while others only allow 8 month in advance reservations. Some parks you'll only get to day visit unless there's a cancellation somewhere. It has sucked here for that long, but it doesn't bother me because I'd rather people have their kids in nature than playing video games and eating all day to cost me more money in the long run related to their future health issues
I'm not sure what the phrase "too many" means. Too many for the environment, well that can be controlled. Too many for someone's individual preferences, then that sounds like a NIMBY attitude. More people experiencing day hikes, multi-day hikes and through hikes is an educational opportunity. Tax payers pay for the trails, so let's not become and "Us vs Them" community. Without actual numbers of hikers per trail, this is all guess work. Great podcast, BTW. My father worked on a portion of the genesis of the PTC in the late 1930s and taught me a love for hiking, camping, backpacking and fishing.
Trails and available or suggested camping areas are just overloaded everywhere in the area I live on Canada's west coast. Non permitted trails are bursting and even permit required trails are at daily start limits that are just too big. I started the PCT in April. No need to worry about snakes, mountain lions or bears. Getting gored or pushed off a trail by a self stick; now that's real.
Spent 3 days hiking in the Trinity Alps wilderness, we must have seen over 100 other people on the trail and it was a pretty tough trail.
I pray 🙏🏾 politics don’t come to the trails or even wilderness period let it stay free and natural , this can ultimately change the world 👌🏾🥾⛰🌊🗻
We definitely get essentially what you’re saying, but “Politics” have been apart of the National Trails, Parks, etc since their inception. The only reason they are still here is because of funding & protection due to politics. 😉
@@OutdoorEvolution yeah no I live trail politics guess I’m basically saying I hope the civilization politics don’t come to the trails as hiking is getting more popular the world tend to find a way to tare or turn every thing into money as in saying pretty soon if the politics I’m speaking about hits the trail they’ll make it extremely hard for people to hike in the freedom or supposedly freedom of the wilderness if you get one I’m saying
The best way to solve trail overcrowding is to create more state and national forests and wildlife management areas and save wildlands forever
Everybody wants to go to the same few major trails and national parks. There are tons of other smaller trails, wilderness areas, state trails - get out and find something new.
We agree!
Vloggers are responsible for the publicity of long distance hiking. But why should it be restricted? If there was a class to teach anyone the dos and don’ts to obtain a permit, would it be better for you? If would be great for me.
I know you didn't mean to, but you are part of the problem, there are so many people that have publically stated they are out there because of you and some other UA-camrs. And you have made a lot of money because of this as well. I agree it is tricky situation. Social media has its Pro and cons. Just saying no hard feelings.
We agree. Hence why we here at OE & Darwin both do as much as we can to giveback to Public Lands. We also try to do our part in spreading the dire need for preservation & education. 👍
Bruh, you serious? You’re dogging on Darwin of all people? There’s nothing wrong with spreading love for backpacking/bikepacking/what-have-you. Guys like Darwin and his influence are what give the outdoors life and bring money into those communities which, in turn, empowers locals to sustain the parks and trails. It also brings great appreciation and attention to sustainability. Smoke another one, good God.
Not a fan of normal hiking any more. I don't go into the woods to be around mobs of annoying hipsters. Now I just find my own routes, often involving going into non-public lands. Is it legal? Not always. Do I care? Not really. I see beautiful places and get them all to myself. And the elements of route-finding and transgression add to the challenge. I'll never go back to hiking normal, state-approved, overly-trodden public trails.
@@charliedroves5610 How about we stop maintaining trails and go back to the world of a hundred years ago, where only the most rugged and adventurous people spent much time in the wilderness? That would solve the overcrowding problem that recreational hiking created real fast!
@@charliedroves5610 Why not trespass? Our ancestors didn't live in a world where all the land was claimed either--that's part of the problem. America didn't have this concept of private ownership of land until some crazies from across the ocean showed up a few hundred years ago--it wasn't a thing for 15000 years before that.
Is Education, Permits, or Funding the answer to this growing problem? Is more government, agencies, or actually billing the people to death really the answer? Haven't we seen enough of their involvement of screwing shit up? The problem with any personality that gets famous, they sale things to the people whether they own it or selling someone else's products then bitch about the adventure getting too big. I lost a lot of respect for you on this podcast, and yes, I know you're not worried about my respect or lack of for you from the start. In a nation of obesity that is riddled with health problems causing all the people issues, one should cheer on the fact that countless people are improving their lives via outdoor activities, just as you did, Darwin. After 45 years in the outdoors and many adventurous hikes, I would never exclude anyone from doing the same. I would rather encourage them to get out and get fit and enjoy what belongs to them as much as any thru hiker, weekend warrior, or day hiker. Bullshit on this podcast
I actually hate/despise hikers. Here in Wa, some areas have 2 different sets of trails, some for hikers only, and some for motorized use like motorcycles. What happens is the hikers only trails get over crowded and filled with dog poop, so the hikers start using the motorcycle trails. Then they start complaining about the noise while they are on OUR trails that our ORV tabs and volunteers help to maintain in hopes to getting them shut down to bikers. Theyve tried it many times, I no longer wave at them and if possible I will roost them and their dogs. The PNW hikers are some of the most selfish, self centered, morally superior douchebags you'll ever meet..I hate them.