I don’t want to seem like Miss Manners or your nagging parent, but it’s important to remember that even though we’re off in the wilderness, we’re still part of a community. And just as the world is a kinder, better place when we all follow etiquette rules in our normal lives (like not cutting in line at the bank), understanding the rules of behavior for the wilderness means you’re ready to be a positive citizen out there as well.

I truly think that most of the time when someone acts improperly in the wilderness, it’s because they just don’t know any better. So it’s with complete faith in your ...