RESPECT WHERE YOU RIDE: The Unofficial Guide to Preventing ‘Trashy’ Behavior
Are you ready to embark on an epic sled journey through the British Columbia backcountry? Of course, you are! But before you get going down the trail, let's talk about a crucial topic that's as important as nailing that perfect powder turn – trash!
Now, we know you're not out there planning on turning BC’s snowmobiling spots into a garbage dump. But hey, we've all been there – enjoying a great day of riding, taking a break in a shelter, and suddenly realizing that our snack wrappers, empty energy drink cans, and that extra pair of gloves are cluttering up the sled.
If you haven’t heard of it yet - we’re re-introducing the "PACK IT IN / PACK IT OUT” initiative – because nobody wants to look out a shelter window through a sea of crumpled-up cans, or see a candy wrapper flittering by in the wind, and Mother Nature definitely didn't sign up for it either.
Trash Talk Time
The Art of Sledding, Not Spreading: We know you think of your sled as a magic carpet, flying over powder-filled meadows. Now, imagine if Aladdin decided to toss his sandwich wrappers all over Agrabah – not very magical, is it? So, before you hit the trails, check your sled for stray trash and make sure your tunnel bag is locked and loaded for a trash-free adventure.
The Garbage Goblin Lives in Your Backpack: We get it – backpacks, handlebar bags, and pockets are like black holes. You toss something in, and it disappears into the abyss until spring. But let's not turn your stash points into the secret lair of the Garbage Goblin. Use a zip-lock pouch or any other contraption to corral your garbage until you get home. It's like organizing a snowmobiling party, and everyone's invited – except the Garbage Goblin.
Be a Respectful Rider – Not a Litterbug: Remember the saying, "Leave only tracks, take only pictures"? Well, let's modernize that a bit – "Leave only tracks, take only pictures, and make sure your tracks aren't littered with your leftover lunch." Being a snowmobiler means leaving a legacy of respectful riding in the areas we cherish – not a trail of empty chip bags or ketchup packets.
The Impact
Now, you might be wondering, "What's the big deal? It's just a can." Well, imagine if every rider left just one. Suddenly, our shelters would look like a garbage dump. Not cool, right? And that's not even considering the impact on wildlife, the reputation of our sport, the strain on our awesome club volunteers, and the potential harm to our ability to access these incredible riding areas.
The Call to Action
So, here's the deal – the next time you gear up to go sledding, remember the three golden rules:
Inspect Your Sled: Before putting the flipper to the gripper, do a quick sweep of your sled. If you find any rogue garbage, tuck it away safely!
Contain the Chaos: Use a zip-lock to stash your trash. The less it flies around, the better. Bring it out of the backcountry and dispose of it properly.
Spread the Word, Not the Trash: Be a responsible rider and encourage your fellow sledders to do the same. No one wants to be the big bad Sherriff of the shelter or staging area so police yourself accordingly.
So friends, ride responsibly. While most understand packing out what we pack in, a few bad apples risk spoiling it all. Don't let trashy behavior jeopardize our access to favorite riding spots and hinder our ability to advocate for new ones.
Ditch the waste, not our reputation.
