Safety and Outdoor Ethics
Know Before You Go!
Spending time in your National Forests can be a very enjoyable experience. As a visitor to the Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the forest and the natural environment, to ensure the health and safety of visitors, and to promote pleasant and rewarding experiences for all visitors. We recommend that you Know Before You Go when planning a visit to your National Forest.
- Leave a trip itinerary with someone who will check in with you regarding your return time.
- Carry the 10 Essentials which includes a map, extra food & water, extra clothing, a flashlight & first aid kit. Keep your equipment in good working order.
- Be prepared for extreme temperatures and storms, heat, snow and/or rain. Hypothermia is the #1 killer of outdoor enthusiasts. During lightning storms avoid bare ridge tops & exposed places. Find shelter in a densely forested area at a lower elevation.
- Learn basic first aid so you will know how to identify and treat injuries and illnesses. Learn the symptoms of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, hypothermia, and dehydration.
- Do not rely on your mobile device. Although GPS devices and cell phones are helpful, do not rely on them, especially in the deep canyons of the Gorge. Even a few hundred yards up some trails there is no cell phone reception and batteries wear out at the most inconvenient times.
- Know your limitations and experience level. Make sure you are fit for the type of outing you are planning.
- Think about your footing while traveling near cliffs. Trees and bushes can't always be trusted to hold you. Stay on developed trails or dry, solid rock areas with good footing.
- If hiking with others, stay together; it is highly recommended that you hike with at least one other person.
- Always treat water found along the trail if you decide to drink it.
- If you think you are lost, do not panic. Stop and plan your next action, which often is to stay in one place, especially if darkness is near.
- Leave plenty of daylight for travel. Set up an emergency camp while there is still daylight if needed.
- Respect Wildlife. Keep a safe distance from wild animals and be careful not to disturb their habitat.
Think of your most enjoyable trip to the National Forest. Did you set up in a clean campsite? Enjoy a peaceful evening during the campground quiet hours? See lots of wildflowers along the trail? If you did, then the people around you were practicing good outdoor ethics and thinking of the next visitor.
Outdoor ethics are made up of the conduct and behavior you use while you are in the outdoors. They can be practiced in the wilderness, along scenic byways or in developed campgrounds.
As visitors and stewards of your National Forest Service Lands using common courtesy and minimizing impacts will help make more enjoyable memories for visitors and preserve the land for the next generation.
Be Considerate of Others
- Public lands are for everyone. Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their outdoor experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises (this includes playing music loudly on your mobile device or speaker)!
Camp Responsibly
- Creating new campsites kills vegetation and leads to soil erosion. If possible, use an existing site, or pick a site where vegetation is absent.
- Keep campsites small.
- Pick a spot where vegetation is absent.
- Never dig a trench or build a tent platform.
- Respect living trees. By carving or chopping into the trunks of trees, people unknowingly damage the tree by slitting veins right below the bark. These veins transport nutrients and water throughout the tree. If the damage becomes severe, it will deprive the tree of nutrients and food, and the tree slowly starves to death.
- Choose your campsite, park your car and wash at least 200 feet from rivers, streams, lakes or wetlands.
- Use biodegradable soap or plain water when washing.
Answering Nature’s Call
Bacteria and viruses found in human feces are known to cause hepatitis, salmonella, giardia, and other gastro-intestinal diseases. Remember, the water in the rivers and lakes you visit may flow into your own drinking water supply. Please follow these simple steps if a public restroom is not available:
- Find a spot at least 200 feet from any water source.
- Dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and bury human waste.
- Pack out used toilet paper and feminine products. Animals will dig up those products and scatter them around the area.
- Several types of waste-disposal products are on the market that come with enzymes that immediately begin breaking down solid waste.
- A leak-proof portable toilet or other self-contained receptacle is another option.
Wildlife Safety
- Do not approach or follow wildlife—observe from a distance.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
- Leash your dog to keep it and wildlife safe.
- Do not feed wildlife—let them feed themselves. Store your rations and trash safely, securely, and out of reach.
Drones (Unmaned Aircraft Systems-UAS)
Drones, or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are becoming increasingly popular and affordable to more users. Recreational and commercial users need to be aware that their use is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which controls all uses of UAS. You must be familiar with the local restrictions in your flight area. Please Know Before You Go!
Small UAS' are now used by many recreationists to take video or photographs for their own personal use. To qualify as a recreational or hobby user, the videos and photographs cannot be sold to another party, and they must be operated under specific safety guidelines.
The following Recreational Drone Tips are a quick source of information for the responsible, hobby or recreational drone operator on National Forest System Lands.
- Know where to fly
- Follow FAA guidelines
- Protect Wildlife & the Environment
- Fly Safely, Stay in Control
Safety guidelines and other information for recreational users can be found at the Know Before You Fly website.
Drones are considered to be both “motorized equipment” and “mechanical transport” and, as such, they cannot take off from, land in, or be operated from Congressionally designated wilderness areas such as the North Fork Umatilla, North Fork John Day, and the Wenaha-Tucannon Wildernesses.
New state laws are being reviewed that prevent the use of drones for aiding hunting, trapping, or angling; to harass, track, locate or scout wildlife, or interfering in the acts of a person who is lawfully hunting, trapping, or angling. (OR HB 2534)
Due to the emergency nature of some incidents, UAS are not permitted to fly in areas that have Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) in place, such as wildfires.
- Flying drones or UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) within or near wildfires without permission could cause injury or death to firefighters and hamper their ability to protect lives, property, and natural cultural resources.
- Fire managers may suspend aerial firefighting until unauthorized UAS leave the area, allowing wildfires to grow larger.
Winter Safety
Umatilla National Forest’s Winter recreation areas are used by a range of visitors including snowmobilers, Nordic and Alpine skiers, snowshoers, dog sledders, skijorers, and people just enjoying the winter scenery. Following these guidelines and practicing common courtesy will ensure all trail users can safely enjoy their winter outing.
Essentials for Winter Travel
- Map and compass
- Flashlight
- Matches, fire starter and knife
- Extra food and water
- Ski repair kit, “ski tip, wire, screwdriver”
- Wool clothing, at least on and preferably two layers from head to toe
- Raingear, waterproof parka and rain pants
- Extra clothing including wool sweaters, socks, gloves, etc.
- Ground insulation including a small square of insolate pad big enough to sit on, etc.
- First-aid kit
- Sunglasses and sun lotion
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the area and what to expect; ALWAYS check avalanche and weather reports prior to departure. Consult maps and local authorities about high danger areas, safety information, and regulations for the area you plan to visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards and emergencies.
- Monitor snow conditions frequently. Carry and use an avalanche beacon, probe and shovel. Educate yourself by taking a winter backcountry travel course.
- Visit the backcountry in small groups, but never alone. Leave your itinerary with family or friends.
- Repackage food into reusable containers
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the need for tree markings, rock cairns or flagging.
Leave Word
- Check the weather forecast and plan your trip accordingly.
- Show a friend a map of your planned route and let him/her know when you expect to return and remember to notify that person upon your return.
- Make certain each member of the group is adequately prepared for harsh winter conditions.
Lost or Injured
- Keep calm ~ decide on a plan. Trust your compass. Backtrack if possible. If impractical, remain in pace. Stay together, if possible. If not, send at least two people for help.
- Don’t abandon your skis. Build a fire and shelter. Stay warm by getting out of the wind; insulate yourself with a parka and other clothing (use insolate pad, branches or skis between you and the snow).
- Mark your base camp so it is visible from the air.
- Distress Signals - three puffs of smoke, three blasts of a whistle, three shouts, three flashes of light, three of anything that will attract attention.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is the result of subnormal body temperatures caused by exposure to cold. Symptoms include uncontrolled shivering, memory lapses, fumbling hands, unsteady walk, drowsiness, exhaustion and lack of concern about physical comfort. The keys to prevention of hypothermia are to stay dry, beware of the wind and don’t overexert yourself.
Building a Fire for Winter Survival
Natural fire starters can be found in the forest including pitch found on damaged trees and dead fuzzy moss taken from the dry side of trees. Candles make a good fire starter and commercial fire starters can be purchased from outdoor stores. Always keep your matches in a dry place (plastic zip lock bag).
- Prevent further heat loss, actively warm and shelter the victim
- Replace wet clothing with dry and apply heat to the victim's head, neck, chest and groin. Actively warm a person using a warming fire, chemical heat pack or body heat from another person.
- Remember HELP—Heat Escape Lessening Posture, a huddle position with knees drawn up to the body, which reduces heat.
- Get victim out of wind and rain
- Move victim to a campfire or inside a dry sleeping bag and skin to skin with a healthy person.
- Give victim warm drinks. Never give them caffeine, alcohol or tobacco. These can further impair judgment, dilate blood vessels and reduce shivering, which is the body’s way of producing heat.
- As victim recovers, give them food with high sugar content.
Winter Storms
A pleasant outing can turn into a miserable ordeal in a matter of minutes. Be prepared. Make sure you’re self-contained and able to meet all conditions that may arise. Take time to understand hypothermia or subnormal temperature of the body. Hypothermia is caused by exposure to cold and is aggravated by wet, wind and exhaustion. It is the number one killer of outdoor recreationists.