Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
find a way to get at your larder unless you leave it locked in a vehicle or
building.
First and foremost, maintain a clean campsite. Wash all dishes thor-
oughly. In the backcountry it is advisable to “bear-bag” your food and
cooking utensils. This involves suspending them in a bag tied to the cen-
ter of a rope run between two trees at least 15-20 feet from the ground. In
Baxter State Park, all food must be bear-bagged by rule. Since everyone
does it, animals seldom bother to search, although the mice at many
backcountry lean-tos can be real pests.
Never leave food, dishes or pots in your tent or sleeping bag. Many camp-
ers have returned from a day hike to find their brand new tent shredded
and the sleeping bag torn to bits.
Leaving food around, or worse, actually feeding wild creatures, can cre-
ate another problem - imprinting. When animals lose their natural fear
of humans it exposes them to harm from others who may not appreciate
their friendly ways. It also adversely affects their ability to find food nat-
urally and survive in the wild. It may be tough to ignore that charming
chipmunk, but don't feed it.
On the Appalachian Trail on Bigelow Mountain, the Canadian jays are so
bold that not only to they eat out of hikers' hands but they also swoop at
their faces when a spoonful of food is heading for a mouth. They appar-
ently do this so campers will drop something they can then eat.
In certain circumstances, feeding or baiting wild animals in Maine can be
a crime. It is also illegal to shine a spotlight on an animal at night, even if
you do not intend to harm it.
While camping try to leave a site as clean, or cleaner, than when you
found it. The most basic rule is “If you pack it in, pack it out.” Don't throw
cans or foil-faced items into the fire; they won't burn. Don't put nails in
trees, leave rope or twine between trees, carve up picnic tables or trample
vegetation.
When tenting, fluff up matted vegetation and scuff up the ground com
-
pacted by your passing.
Outhouses of the Wild
Most approved backcountry sites are equipped with privies. Don't throw
food, trash, and unbiodegradeable items down an outhouse. While most
campground managers try to keep toilet paper in good supply, it is not
unusual for some of the hike-in locations to run out. Bring some along. If
