The camping in the wilderness areas is starting early this year. This morning we came upon a smoldeering fire and bee cans scattered aound a site not far from the road. Trash had been hauled out, and the fire was for the most part covered and protected appropriately. Sometime on our hikes we find literal trash heaps that campers leave behind. In those cases we just come home, get the pickup and go on a trash run. If we see active campers we make sure they are aware of any fire ban issues and offer them black trash bags if they have none.
I can't tell you the things we have come up on, deep in the trees, far from roads. I guess they backpack all the stuff in and trash an area for a while. We do have Veterans in the woods here, but most of thier campsites are hidden, and well taken care of. Besides, who wants to mess with a veteran hiding in the woods from society? Have you ever looked a combat veteran in the eye? Feel uncomfortable? We call it the 1000 yard stare. You don't want to be saying things that might piss them off. According to some reports, the Seattle Area and this area of the Pike National Forest have a very high population of these men. They bother no one. They served their country and just want to be left to themselves. If you aren't looking, you probably won't see them. Rarely do they ever make contact in the woods. I went to a meeting once in a small mountain community put on by the VA. There were several men there who lived in the forest. One said he hadn't been out in 6 months. Another asked me "is this really happening, I mean are we really here?" The VA did a good thing, offering help to those who wanted it, and buying coffee and a good breakfast for those who just wished to be there.
Sometimes the beer cans, spent cartridges, bottles get to me. Then I figure, whatever, I take care of it. So, every morning it is a backpack and plenty of bags. If you hiked our area you would call it pristine, That gives me great pride.
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