What do you think about "permanent" camps in the backcountry?

[SFC B]

I just saw this topic on another forum I am a member of and wonder what others think. The long and short of it was that this guy was in the backcountry (he stated several miles from the trailhead) doing some scouting and camping and came across a very large camp that appeared to be a "permanent" installation. The set up included a large wall tent, tools, two sealed 55 gallon drums and several tarps wrapped up full of unknown equipment. Just weekend before last my partner and I went scouting/camping in our area and found one of the campsites had been semi-setup for archery season already (crapper built, pit dug, a couple of cords of wood cut and brush around site cleared out). I have to say that the site near us doesn't really bother me but what was described on the other post does. Not to mention leaving all that equipment unattended out there $$$. What do you all think? Would you report this to NFS or equivalent? What do you think is a reasonable time to arrive early for camp set up?

 

[Straight Arrow]

How did the 55 gal barrels get hauled? I am also bothered by the first description. 'Suspect the place will not look so "backcountry" once they pull out ... 'could be a mess.

Dirty campsites have always bothered me. The second site "semi-setup for archery" might be okay if they clean it prior to departing. Too often metal and plastic objects ... and those obnoxious blue tarps are left to rot, but do not!

Not to change the subject, but it sounds like about thirty thousand "campers" are going to converge on our National Forest west of Dillon, MT, for most of the summer for the epitome of dirty camping for the Rainbow Family gathering. The multitude of problems historically associated with that encampment make me sick. It takes years to heal the scars ... if ever possible.;

 

[SFC B]

How did the 55 gal barrels get hauled? I am also bothered by the first description. 'Suspect the place will not look so "backcountry" once they pull out ... 'could be a mess.

Dirty campsites have always bothered me. The second site "semi-setup for archery" might be okay if they clean it prior to departing. Too often metal and plastic objects ... and those obnoxious blue tarps are left to rot, but do not!

Not to change the subject, but it sounds like about thirty thousand "campers" are going to converge on our National Forest west of Dillon, MT, for most of the summer for the epitome of dirty camping for the Rainbow Family gathering. The multitude of problems historically associated with that encampment make me sick. It takes years to heal the scars ... if ever possible.;

I will have to look that one up, never heard of it before....sounds like a hippie ho down

 

[Pierre]

If it is on FS lands, when the first piece of equipment hits the ground, the 14 day rule starts. Unless it is an outfitter with a special use permit for the site, it is illegal. Turn it in.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Somehow Rainbow has gotten around the 14 day policy previously, with a permit or something. The sad thing is that a state like Montana has too few law enforcement personnel with the state, county, or Forest Service to adequately address the issues and impacts. As I recall, last encampment in Montana was near the little town of Jackson and perpetrators were transported to Dillon, Butte and elsewhere. But the largest impact was on the forest and the landscape itself. These crazies purport to be all about peace, love, and protection of the earth ... then they defecate all over the landscape and leave it for the locals to clean up.