PSA: Why build cajones can damage your favorite hiking routes?

LET talks about Cairns. Not the ancient and historical that in reality mean Something for navigation on treacherous terrain, but the small rock batteries that seem to be appearing as fungi after a storm on all popular paths. You know what. The «I was here!» Rock towers that shout: «Look at me, I balance some stones!»

I understand. There is a primary impulse to stack things. He feels a bit like the art of the path, a way to leave his brand, a fleeting moment of Zen. But honestly, if you are there, building these impromptu rock sculptures, I am giving you the same look of disapproval that I give to the people who exploit music in Bluetooth speakers or leave their dog poop bags next to the path. Do not judge, alone … upset.

Also, judging a little.

Let’s break down why building these apparently innocent rock batteries is harmful and why you should knock it out (literally, perhaps).

1. You are ruining navigation (seriously)

This is the big one. Cairns were, and in some truly wild and dangerous places they are still critical navigation markers. They guide hikers through vast unmarked landscapes, through difficult rocks or exaggerated alpine routes where a road simply does not exist. When you go to stack rocks, they are not the rocks on a clearly marked path, you are creating false navigation signs.

Imagine a hiker ahead of you, perhaps in a blackout, or exhausted, or simply try to follow the established route. Come their random rock battery and think: «Aha! The path goes on this path!» Just to be out of the route, potentially in danger. He may think it is funny harmless, but someone could end up very lost. And believe me, get lost on a path is decidedly No fun.

2. It is a Violation of Leave does not draw principle #2: trip and camp on lasting surfaces

The Leave principles do not trace (LNT) are the golden rules book for responsible outdoor recreation. And principle #2 is about staying along the way and minimizing its impact. When you are taking rocks from the surrounding environment to build a milestone, you are doing some things:

Disturb the ecosystem: Those rocks are not just decorative. They are houses for insects, lizards and other small creatures. They prevent soil erosion, retain moisture and are part of the natural geological landscape. Move them interrupts this delicate balance. Especially in crowded paths where you can be one of several thousand to walk that day, these small actions accumulate (without word game) to cause big problems.

Mojones are useful when a path is weak or non -existent. They are not really necessary on very busy and clearly defined paths.

Cortugas of harmful cryptogamous soil: In arid environments, these seemingly sterile land patches are often covered with cryptogamic soil scabs, which are living crucial organisms for soil stability, moisture retention and nutrient cycle. Go on them or move rocks, and can destroy decades of growth in seconds.

Foster travel outside the train: Sometimes, the cairns are built off path. This creates «social trails» that extend the impact zone, erode the ground and lead to more damage to the madness we claim to appreciate.

The mantra is simple: take only photos, leave only traces (and even those who try to minimize). Building its own milestone is fundamentally leaving something behind that it was not there before, and has a zero functional purpose.

3. Destroy the sense of desert

Part of the hiking magic is immersed in nature and appreciates the intact (or apparently intact) landscapes by human hands. When you cry a crest and see a dozen random rock batteries, he immediately takes you out of that experience. He becomes less about natural beauty and more about human intervention.

Again, a official Cairn is a work of art, in addition to valuable signage for hikers.

It is similar to finding graffiti in a beautiful rock formation. You did not come here to see another person’s ego in rock. You can say: «It is not so deep», to which I would respond that, if it is not so serious, why does the need to create unofficial markers in the first place feel?

So what should you do instead?

It is simple: Do not build mojones. If you see a lot of rocks that looks like an unofficial milestone, you can even consider dispersing them (yes and only if it is clear, it is not an official marker of paths installed by Park Services. Look for official marks for the context, and if you are not sure whether it is an intentional marker or not, leave it in peace and verify with the path administrators). When dispersing, I mean hitting it!

If you want to commemorate your walk, take a photo. Write about that. Tell your friends. He simply does not believe piles of unnecessary and deceptive rocks. Let us keep our wild and safe paths and really leave no trace.

Outstanding Image: Photo courtesy of Katie Jackson; Graphic design by Mackenzie Fischer.

This website contains affiliate links, which means that the walk can receive a percentage of any product or service that you buy using the links in the items or ads. The buyer pays the same price that would do it differently, and his purchase helps to support the continuous objective of the walk to address his quality backpack advice and information. Thanks for your support!

For more information, visit the page about this site.