PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE - Look ahead, Think about it, then plan it out! Take into consideration what you want to accomplish throughout your stay in Bishop, gear you need to bring or get to achieve those goals, things you need to know (youtube can be good, but hiring a guide can be priceless!), options for night time accommodations, places to get groceries or eat out, ect.
TRAVEL AND CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES - Hike on designated trails, travel on roads or established paths, camp in designated camp spots (and don’t expand current spots to accommodate for more people and bigger rigs), most importantly, DON’T CRUSH THE BRUSH!
DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY - Here in the high desert and well trafficked areas that we recreate on, it is NO LONGER OK to dig a hole to bury your human waste, or any waste for that matter. Make sure to pack all of your waste out, be that made or created by you, your human counterparts and other furry friends.
LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND - Take only memories, leave only footprints. While cleaning up after yourself is a huge part to this, also be mindful of the areas you recreate in, in that you were probably not the first there, by centuries. Respect the native land, artifacts and dwellings you may come across. Gather experiences rather than souvenirs, take photos and make sure not to make your own impact on the areas you travel to. If you find trash, be courteous for the next recreationalist and leave the space better than you found it.
MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE IMPACT - Respect fire bans in place, only make fires in designated fire pits, when you do have a fire, make sure it is 100% exterminated with no signs of smoldering coals or ember. Humans are to blame for 87% of all fires that are started in the US. DON’T BE PART OF THAT STATISTIC!
RESPECT THE WILDLIFE - Do not feed the wildlife, no matter how cute they may look, this builds their dependence on humans and can be a greater risk on their livelihood. Do not approach wildlife, no matter how cool that photo opp might be, admire from a distance and respect all wildlife’s space to exist in their natural habitat.
BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHER RECREATIONALIST - Leave your music at home or for your headphones, keep your animals contained and on a leash, be courteous of others experiences as well as your own. Be mindful of the land you are recreating on and do your research to acknowledge these spaces of the Indeginous people, while deepening your own personal understanding for the variety of land management that takes up the areas around Bishop. While some of these space are Public Lands, the Private lands we recreate on are equally as important to acknowledge and keep positive relationships with land owners.