Law for Backpackers

[The Old Fhart]

Rickb-"The best No Trespassing sign along the AT was on the fence to the National Zoo's breeding farm.

Not sure if its still there. A real classic."

What makes you think it's still there?
Attachment 4686(click for larger image)

[rickb]

How about this one? Looks like they replaced a stolen sign not long before the photo was taken.

[The Weasel]

If anyone is eaten by an animal (or anything else) at the National Zoo, please call me as soon as possible. I don't get easy cases often, and I can make the decedent's family 2/3 rich.

Rusty

[WalkingStick75]

Has the attachment been removed? Where can I download this article?

[SGT Rock]

I'm trying to figure that out now.

[SGT Rock]

Hey Rusty - Do this:

Comment-> Additional Options (underneath the posting box)-> Managa Attachments-> Browse-> Navigate to your file and select Open -> Upload -> After the file has uploaded, go to the bottom of that pop-up and select Close This Window -> Then Submit Reply

[SGT Rock]

The attachment is fixed.

[The Weasel]

I've made some updating on trespassing, and one member may be sending me (here or separately) some good suggestions on contact with law enforcement authorities. Other suggestions are welcome; I'd like to finish the update by the end of August.

Rusty

[emerald]

I'd suggest adding information to The A.T. Thru-hiker's Companion on fires among other things at the appropriate locations. Fires come up often and few if anyone at all seems to be clear on the issue in certain areas.

Too much will not be remembered when people are on the A.T. and few seem to carry ATC's guides these days. I did and thought I benefitted from them, but I expect not many can be sold on that idea.

Thank you for your efforts.

[The Weasel]

Shades, are you suggesting a section in this article about fires?

TW

[emerald]

Many people are already claiming your article is too long. I think it's important, useful and could be expanded. Whether it would reach the audience it should and whether they will remember what they read when they should is what concerns me.

I'd like to see more of what is in ATC's guidebooks which today's through hikers refuse to carry put in The Thru-Hiker's Companion. Someone or a committee needs to give it a thorough going over to see if through hikers are informed about what behavior is expected of them. When or where one may kindle fires in the mid-Atlantic states where the A.T. is on state-owned land is only one item about which the majority seem to be clueless.

Maybe you could simply point out things are different in the middle and refer through hikers to one of the guidebooks which should all provide this information.

[rickb]

Maybe you could simply point out things are different in the middle and refer through hikers to one of the guidebooks which should all provide this information.

The guidebooks never really got the camping regs in the Whites correct. Not a big deal, though.

The one legal area that seems to be missing is that surrounding carrying used stoves and fuel bottles on airplanes.

[rickb]

Shades, are you suggesting a section in this article about fires?

TW

I think there is a lot of misinformation on that. I once had I guy tell me I was breaking the law simply for having a fire in a Federal Wilderness Area.

[The Weasel]

I'll think on the "fires" topic. But having something that says, "Fires may be regulated in different ways" isn't much help to backpackers, and this article tries not to be focused on the AT alone, which means wildly different laws from state to state. (California is really, really hard on fires.) Suggestions?

TW

[smokymtnsteve]

http://www.smokeybear.com/index.asp

[emerald]

I think the article is most useful for preliminary planning purposes. I mean things that must be done before reaching the A.T. for an extended hike or are generally applicable.

When things differ from one location to another, the information specific to particular locations is best mentioned in the guidebooks which hikers should have with them to refer to as needed.

[Appalachian Tater]

There are two really good videos, one by a policeman and one by a lawyer explaining why you should never ever ever talk to the police without a lawyer present even if you are innocent. They are over 20 minutes each but well worth watching.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...75&vt=lf&hl=en

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...58915912&hl=en

[John B]

There are two really good videos, one by a policeman and one by a lawyer explaining why you should never ever ever talk to the police without a lawyer present even if you are innocent. They are over 20 minutes each but well worth watching.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...75&vt=lf&hl=en

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...58915912&hl=en

Outstanding videos, excellent information, and I appreciate you posting the links.

When stopped and questions by police, never for any reason whatsoever talk to them. Keep your mouth SHUT and exercise your constitutional rights and ask for an attorney.

[The Weasel]

That's probably more confrontational than is a good idea. To say it more briefly than I probably do, answer questions about who you are and why you are in that location politely and briefly. You only need to ask for an attorney if it appears that they are questioning you further about a crime that they think you may have committed or if they ask you to get into a police car or are taken to a station.

TW

[BigToe]

Thank you, Weasel. I found the article interesting and useful. My sons and I just finished up a section hike last week and in fact we were discussing vagrancy laws on the trail because they carried very little money and I was worried that if we were separated in a trail town could they be considered vagrants. I would be very interested in future revisions. I think the length is just fine. It's the law - not easily summarized! I appreciate your sharing this with our community.