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Tigger 
Woods Pouncer
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 11:19 am |
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On Facebook, There was a picture of a bunch of balanced rocks in nature. There was definitely a blend of reactions to it. Personally, I consider it graffiti. I don't mind cairns used responsibly but one of the last things I want to see is a bunch of rocks stacked up to remind me that humans were here.
Some people said, "Nature would take care of it so it's no big deal." or that it was neat.
I figure it's worth discussion...again. Any opinions?
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If I'm going to be lost, in the woods is where I want to be...
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| Post Number: 2
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Lamebeaver
trail? I don't need no stinkin trail!
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 11:31 am |
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I wouldn't go as far as calling it graffiti, but it's not really my thing either.
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RumiDude
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 11:43 am |
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Graffiti
It disheartens me to come across stuff like this. I like to balance rocks when I am along river banks. But I always knock them down before I leave. Like you, Tigger, I don't want to see a sea of cairns in places like this. Just leave the place natural cause that is what we go out to experience.
Rumi
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“This is my Indian summer ... I'm far more dangerous now, because I don't care at all.”
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| Post Number: 5
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Pathfinder1
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 12:08 pm |
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Hi...
Kinda reminds me of the Watson Lake signposts.
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| Post Number: 7
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spindle
Group: Members
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 12:56 pm |
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I consider this so unimportant as to not be worth forming an opinion on it.
People are silly, and doing this is harmless, so whatever.
Does the site pictured there hold any special significance? Is it a holy spot or a place with a tragic history? We like to build monuments in places that move us emotionally or spiritually.
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| Post Number: 8
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Ben2World
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 1:10 pm |
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I prefer those over polystyrene burger containers, straws, and cold drink lids...
But kidding aside...
If this were right near a suburban trail or popular campsite -- OK, maybe.
But out in the wilds, the common understanding is to 'leave no trace' -- a few well-placed cairns excepted.
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The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page. -- St. Augustine
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| Post Number: 9
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ol-zeke
me in the Tetons
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 1:22 pm |
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There is a turn in the trail on the way to Yosemite Falls that draws this sort of outburst all the time. Hundreds of stacks. Some folks must think of them like monuments to spirits, or shrines to lost loved ones. I figure Spring melt off pretty much knocks them all down.
When I see such a display, I am a bit dismissive of it. Not PO'ed as I do not allow it to bother me that much. If it is just kids stacking rocks, I figure it is innocent fun. In the end, it is not for me to decide. It is what it is.
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Everything I know, I learned by doing it wrong at least twice.
The easiest way to ruin a Friday is to realize it is only Tuesday.
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| Post Number: 11
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spindle
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 1:28 pm |
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(RumiDude @ Mar. 09 2013, 1:19 pm)
QUOTE
(spindle @ Mar. 09 2013, 9:56 am)
QUOTE We like to build monuments in places that move us emotionally or spiritually. Like this ...  Rumi
That's neither. That's economics.
And they didn't even have the decency to use local natural materials.
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| Post Number: 12
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markskor
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 1:30 pm |
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Much like the storied "Lost Elephant" graveyard of lore, trail ducks too have long been rumored to go somewhere in their final days - sacred grounds? Bet you always wondered why you never see just one duck...always a few.
Another story about someone setting up a 1-mile ducked loop - might have been in Yosemite. Reportedly, Rangers had to rescue a few groups.
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mountain man who swims with trout
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Ben2World
Group: Members
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 1:31 pm |
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(RumiDude @ Mar. 09 2013, 10:19 am)
QUOTE
(spindle @ Mar. 09 2013, 9:56 am)
QUOTE We like to build monuments in places that move us emotionally or spiritually. Like this ... Rumi
Last I checked, everyone of us here uses power -- and LOTS OF IT collectively. 
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The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page. -- St. Augustine
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| Post Number: 14
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Echo
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Joined: May 2008
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 1:50 pm |
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This one has been on facebook too. Maybe so distant future race will be as fascinated by these as we are by stonehenge and the medicine wheel and pictographs
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If Light is in your heart, you will find your way Home. (Rumi)
The miracle is not to fly in the air, or to walk on the water, but to walk on the earth. Chinese proverb
http://echo-echosvoice.blogspot.com/
http://duffybarkley.blogspot.com/
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| Post Number: 15
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Owen571
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 2:01 pm |
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I'm just glad the jerkoffs that make them forgot their spraypaint, or were too lazy to carry it.
'Course they're a godsend when they have a purpose, but where I live they rarely do.
Like trash, they're usually near a trailhead, or on short popular trails...
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| Post Number: 16
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RumiDude
Group: Members
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 2:11 pm |
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About 15 years ago my two boys and I hiked to a high alpine lake in the Cascades for a long weekend. The place was great. We decided to place our tents on the far side of the lake so we bushwhacked around to a nice opening in the canopy. There we found what appeared to be a small "fort" of stacked rocks, something kids would build. My two boys thought it was cool and after we set up camp and had lunch, they went over to investigate and play. When they started to build more, I stopped them. Yea, I'm a mean ole daddy. Anyway, I explained that they could play "fort" back home, but out here we were just going to enjoy what nature had to offer. They accepted that and went to climb the cliffs and find the tarn over on the other side of the ridge. While they were out playing, I destroyed the structure.
If I wanna make a shrine, I don't do it on public lands or other people's property, I do it on my property. My guess is that this photo is not of some sacred area or significant history, but just a place adults have turned into a sorta cairn decorating competition area. "Oh look, there are rocks laying around. Let's see how high we can stack them." "Oooo, look how cool mine is." "Hey, check this one out!"
When I visited Sedona, AZ back in 1999, the natural beauty of many of the canyons was diminished becaue of all the cairn building competitions. It was amazing how they were in so much abundance everywhere one turned.
I suppose it is a good thing these silly monuments get concentrated in small areas like this. It makes it easier to knock them down and saves the rest of the landscape from decoration. As zeke said, it is what it is. I'm just glad they don't use spray paint. Oh crap, I forgot to mention they do use spray paint in some places. Oh well.
Rumi
PS: Full disclosure ... I have participated in placing a shrine to Jeremy (olyhiker) on public land. The difference is we got permission from the rangers and guidelines on what was acceptable. It is difficult to find if you don't know it is there.
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“This is my Indian summer ... I'm far more dangerous now, because I don't care at all.”
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| Post Number: 17
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spindle
Group: Members
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Joined: Dec. 2003
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 2:29 pm |
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(Owen571 @ Mar. 09 2013, 2:01 pm)
QUOTE I'm just glad the jerkoffs that make them forgot their spraypaint, or were too lazy to carry it.
'Course they're a godsend when they have a purpose, but where I live they rarely do.
Like trash, they're usually near a trailhead, or on short popular trails...
I've never been a rock-stacker. But now that I know it annoys strangers so much as to prompt name-calling... I am now a Rock Stacker!
So I will stack them near a house,
and I will stack them with a mouse,
and I will stack them with a fox
and I will stack them near a (bear) box,
And I will stack them in the rain, in the dark, and on a plain.
And by your car, and near a tree, for stacking is so fun, so fun you see!
And I will stack them near
And I will stack them far,
And I will stack them outside the bar,
And I will stack them here and there,
Say! I will stack them EVERYWHERE!
And I will take pictures for all to see, for stacking rocks is a thing of glee!
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| Post Number: 18
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Echo
Group: Members
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Joined: May 2008
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 2:44 pm |
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since I mentioned Stonehenge and now see a story from Yahoo on a theory about it, I'll post the link here
http://news.yahoo.com/researc....20.html
Spindle, I love it, and for some reason, really laughed that you had changed Train to Plain. It works for me.
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If Light is in your heart, you will find your way Home. (Rumi)
The miracle is not to fly in the air, or to walk on the water, but to walk on the earth. Chinese proverb
http://echo-echosvoice.blogspot.com/
http://duffybarkley.blogspot.com/
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| Post Number: 19
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Ben2World
Group: Members
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 2:44 pm |
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(spindle @ Mar. 09 2013, 11:29 am)
QUOTE
(Owen571 @ Mar. 09 2013, 2:01 pm)
QUOTE I'm just glad the jerkoffs that make them forgot their spraypaint, or were too lazy to carry it.
'Course they're a godsend when they have a purpose, but where I live they rarely do.
Like trash, they're usually near a trailhead, or on short popular trails... I've never been a rock-stacker. But now that I know it annoys strangers so much as to prompt name-calling... I am now a Rock Stacker! So I will stack them near a house, and I will stack them with a mouse, and I will stack them with a fox and I will stack them near a (bear) box, And I will stack them in the rain, in the dark, and on a plain. And by your car, and near a tree, for stacking is so fun, so fun you see! And I will stack them near And I will stack them far, And I will stack them outside the bar, And I will stack them here and there, Say! I will stack them EVERYWHERE! And I will take pictures for all to see, for stacking rocks is a thing of glee!
+1. 
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The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page. -- St. Augustine
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spindle
Group: Members
Posts: 22196
Joined: Dec. 2003
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 3:14 pm |
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(RumiDude @ Mar. 09 2013, 3:08 pm)
QUOTE
(spindle @ Mar. 09 2013, 11:29 am)
QUOTE I've never been a rock-stacker. But now that I know it annoys strangers so much as to prompt name-calling... I am now a Rock Stacker! That's why I get soooo much enjoyment knocking them over, and at a fraction of the time and effort it took for the rock stackers to stack 'em. It seems to annoy the rock stackers that someone would disturb their sacred stack. Rumi <~~~~~feels like 21st century scarlet pimpernelThe Scarlet Pimpernel ~~~by Sir Percival RumiDude The seek him here,
They seek in there,
Those rock stackers seek him everywhere.
Is he in heaven?
Is he in hell?
That damned elusive Pimpernel
Sounds like a mutually fun arrangement then. 
I intend to make some of my stacks in places stack-kickers would have to work to get at.
Like geocaching, only sweatier and no trinkets.
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| Post Number: 23
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Ben2World
Group: Members
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 3:20 pm |
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Spindle:
May I?
So I will stack them near a house,
and I will stack them with a mouse.
I will stack to spite the ignorant,
and those who are so intolerant.
And I will stack them in the rain, and spray them all with paint.
And by your car, and near a tree, colors running for all to see!
And I will stack them near
And I will stack them far,
And I will stack them outside the bar.
And I will stack them here and there,
Say! I will stack them EVERYWHERE!
And I will take pictures for all to see, for stacking rocks is a thing of glee!
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The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page. -- St. Augustine
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| Post Number: 24
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RumiDude
Group: Members
Posts: 13639
Joined: Feb. 2002
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 3:21 pm |
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I like to wear my sacred kilt whenever I hunt down rock stacks. It's like a high priest uniform of sorts. Makes me feel like I'm on a mission for god.
Rumi <~~~~~annointed
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“This is my Indian summer ... I'm far more dangerous now, because I don't care at all.”
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| Post Number: 25
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spindle
Group: Members
Posts: 22196
Joined: Dec. 2003
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 3:26 pm |
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(Ben2World @ Mar. 09 2013, 3:20 pm)
QUOTE Spindle:
May I?
So I will stack them near a house,
and I will stack them with a mouse.
I will stack to spite the ignorant,
and those who are so intolerant.
And I will stack them in the rain, and spray them all with paint.
And by your car, and near a tree, colors running for all to see!
And I will stack them near
And I will stack them far,
And I will stack them outside the bar.
And I will stack them here and there,
Say! I will stack them EVERYWHERE!
And I will take pictures for all to see, for stacking rocks is a thing of glee!
Well done! I like your version better.
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Ben2World
Group: Members
Posts: 23906
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 3:35 pm |
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Thanks, Spindle. You were the source of inspiration.
From your link, this pic is cool:
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The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page. -- St. Augustine
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| Post Number: 28
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Echo
Group: Members
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Joined: May 2008
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 3:38 pm |
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I think why this seems so funny Is all week long I have been in classes doing Dr. Seuss style landscapes and cooking Green eggs and ham and celebrating his March 3 birthday
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If Light is in your heart, you will find your way Home. (Rumi)
The miracle is not to fly in the air, or to walk on the water, but to walk on the earth. Chinese proverb
http://echo-echosvoice.blogspot.com/
http://duffybarkley.blogspot.com/
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| Post Number: 29
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Ben2World
Group: Members
Posts: 23906
Joined: Jun. 2005
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 4:08 pm |
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(RumiDude @ Mar. 09 2013, 12:21 pm)
QUOTE I like to wear my sacred kilt whenever I hunt down rock stacks. It's like a high priest uniform of sorts. Makes me feel like I'm on a mission for god.
Rumi <~~~~~annointed
Ode to Rumi <~~~rock pile hacking Dude.
I will hack them o'er the trail,
Give lost hikers no avail.
I will damn them with a pox,
They can go home in a box.
And I will hack them near
And I will hack them far,
I will hack them wherever they are!
I will hack them here and there,
Nay! I will hack them EVERYWHERE!
And I will take pictures for all to see,
Me, my kilt, hacking rock piles to the hilt!
Self anointed, self appointed, cause I could,
Rock pilers everywhere will rue me, Dude ! <--
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The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page. -- St. Augustine
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| Post Number: 30
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Survival Skills 101 • Eat Better
