Rock stacking is a popular hobby in the wilderness, especially for backpackers. While it may appear harmless, this kind of style of artistically balancing lots of gravel (or cairns) for photography opportunities is troublesome. Many conservationists say these kinds of amateur stacks can befuddle trail indicators and business lead hikers astray, and that they bother the environments underneath, such as the plants and creatures that live beneath the rocks.
Some cairns are generally created with the purpose of tagging a trail, and they are often used in mountainous backcountry click areas where the trails could be hard to follow. They will also help mark the way for various other hikers and keep people from wandering off of the trail. Nevertheless , if the buttes are stacked too high they will actually make that harder for backpackers to reach another trail or perhaps backcountry camp.
When it comes to cairn making, there is no one lifestyle that can specifically claim that as a religious enhancement, but some people take the practice too far. There’s a reason so why it is against the law to build new rock buttes in some national parks and also other natural areas; they can cause confusion and misdirection, as well as the rock constructions can go quickly and develop hazardous conditions for hikers.
Besides being in violation of park regulations, cairns are detrimental to the surroundings. When people pick-up rocks to develop cairns, they will disrupt ecosystems which can be important for seafood, crustaeans and other wildlife. In addition they dries in the soil, which can be deadly for plants and animals that are dependent upon water for survival.