Summit register removal

I’ve thought of it many times but for the first time in my life I really came close to removing a summit register before I left. Summit registers are nothing more than ego soothing trash on the mountain. The argument that they’re used to tally number of users is the weakest of sauces. I think I might start cleaning up the mountains as I climb them and I encourage others to do the same. If you see trash pick it up.

Totally and strongly disagree. They are often valuable historical records and often provide entertaining reading while enjoying a summit snack. 

Be sure to kick over all the cairns too! 

Alan Rubin wrote:

Totally and strongly disagree. They are often valuable historical records and often provide entertaining reading while enjoying a summit snack. 

Thanks for proving my point. Still trash though.

Ben, Cairns are made of rocks, no need for removal.

Baltimore McAllister wrote:

I’ve thought of it many times but for the first time in my life I really came close to removing a summit register before I left. Summit registers are nothing more than ego soothing trash on the mountain. The argument that they’re used to tally number of users is the weakest of sauces. I think I might start cleaning up the mountains as I climb them and I encourage others to do the same. If you see trash pick it up.

Your rant about summit registers is in proxy for what?

Just change the channel if you don’t like it. 

Don't like it?  Don't read/write in it.  But you are overstepping trying to force your goodie-2-shoes faux LNT "ethics" on others.

I'm thinking that of all the ways people try and make their mark and show their ego ranging from Mt. Rushmore/the Pyramids to an instagram post, a small (usually green ammo can) summit register box is probably one of the least intrusive ones out there. 99% of outdoor users will never know it's there and the 1% who do encounter them usually leave a little piece of themselves at their best moment for others to enjoy. For all the good stories, funny trip reports, and great drawings that end up in even a mediocre summit log they are a worthy means of human expression; and aren't anymore vain than someone saying a first ascent is like painting on a blank canvas. Leave 'em be!

Baltimore McAllister wrote:

I’ve thought of it many times but for the first time in my life I really came close to removing a summit register before I left. Summit registers are nothing more than ego soothing trash on the mountain. The argument that they’re used to tally number of users is the weakest of sauces. I think I might start cleaning up the mountains as I climb them and I encourage others to do the same. If you see trash pick it up.

I’ve thought of it many times but for the first time in my life I really came close to adding a summit register before I left that someone had removed. Removing summit registers is nothing more than ego soothing because of a misguided ideal of removing "trash". The argument that they’re used to provide some historical context and often fun reading is the strongest of sauces. I think I might start adding more and replacing old ones as I climb them and I encourage others to do the same. If you see trash pick it up but leave the historic summit registers alone.

Baltimore McAllister wrote:

I’ve thought of it many times but for the first time in my life I really came close to removing a summit register before I left. Summit registers are nothing more than ego soothing trash on the mountain. The argument that they’re used to tally number of users is the weakest of sauces. I think I might start cleaning up the mountains as I climb them and I encourage others to do the same. If you see trash pick it up.

If summit registers are a bane to your existence, you must be looking for something to be mad at.
Summit registers have been a thing for MUCH longer than you have been alive and serve as a great thread of connection to the people whom have been there. I personally love summiting a random peak, that the last person to sign the register was decades ago, something very special about that feeling and a common connection with another human who may be long gone.

I can only imagine how much geo caching must chap your ass....

1/10 

after reading the replies 11/10

Summit registers do not keep me up at night.

The summit register on top of Olive Oli in Red Rock looked like someone was unaware of how to open it and had used a boulder to smash it open.

Perhaps someone was just angry at summit registers and took vengeance on this one?

Either way, unfortunately, it is more akin to trash now. 

I was of the understanding that summit registers also serve a SAR rescue function. Usually if hikers or climbers go missing, the register serves as a data point in tracking their whereabouts 

Someone’s been removing them in red rock canyon the past couple years leaving their own trash notes behind which say  “leave no trace” who somehow thinks that makes any sense

Tony Bob wrote:

I was of the understanding that summit registers also served a SAR rescue function. Usually if hikers or climbers go missing, the register serves as a data point in tracking there whereabouts 

Cell phones, PLBs, and satellite communicators have probably made summit registers a lot less valuable in that regard. Fifty years ago when summit registers weren't as heavily used they would have been a lot more valuable to a SAR team. Nowadays the typical summit register is just a jumbled pile of random sheets of paper, and a lot of climbers don't even bother signing the register anymore.

Finding a register that goes back a few decades with relatively few entries per year is fun, but there are fewer and fewer registers like that. Mostregisters seem to have deteriorated into the aforementioned random piles of paper, usually in barely readable condition. 

mark felber wrote:

Cell phones, PLBs, and satellite communicators have probably made summit registers a lot less valuable in that regard. Fifty years ago when summit registers weren't as heavily used they would have been a lot more valuable to a SAR team. Nowadays the typical summit register is just a jumbled pile of random sheets of paper, and a lot of climbers don't even bother signing the register anymore.

I won't deny that a lot of registers are pretty grungy, misused, and poorly maintained but often it's land stewards, hiking clubs, and government agencies that supply them. And not every user can be counted on to have those safety tools you've mentioned, or have them working, or be in a condition to use them. And thus there is an inherent usefulness in a register. As again, it's an additional data point if you're trying to track someone's location. Of course having the geo location tools are superior.

But, like others have said, a lot of registers aren't maintained and maybe some really are just vanity items.

I do appreciate looking through a register and comparing my progress to others, it's like this communal experience you have with other hikers or climbers.

I also see way more unsightly things at the summit than just the register ammo can: WAG bags, clothing, food containers, just to name a few.

This is a terrible op thread, or an even worse troll.

Summit registers in ammo boxes, are a connection to those who were there before us. They are unobtrusive as can be, and only those who get to the summit will ever see them.

If they are places they really shouldn't be, maybe that's a discussion for that locale.

For myself?

My single entry in a summit register has tear stains. That register was a tangible link with a friend who had died, between his ascent and mine. That meant a lot to me. Another register, for a western state high point summit, was signed by  a very dear friend, his brothers, and his dad the day they summited. Before my friend died on the descent and one brother was seriously injured. I'm pretty damn confident that register had more meaning than just ego when the family made that summit again 2 years later.

In only about a week, a local gym will be having their annual day honoring my friend who died.

Gee, nice timing that you literally advocate trashing a piece of his history days before he's honored and remembered.

H.

What H. said.  I have enjoyed registers on many summits, sometimes finding connections to people long gone, including my younger self.  It's kinda cool to come back to a summit 20 yrs after you first climbed it to find your first entry.  

This past spring, I was very glad to see that Earl Wiggins believed in summit registers.

Nice, Fritz, can’t wait to get that trash out of there! That awesome Wiggins fa is documented already, no need for the garbage. Put it in a museum then, let everyone enjoy the historical significance and know it is safe from people that value pristine alpine and desert environments over hubris. I wonder what the indigenous members of North America would want? Specifically the Bears Ears Inter Tribal Coalition in this case….hmmm.

I’m simply advocating for wilderness principles (and an act of an elected Congress). The responses here are excruciatingly predictable and I find it somewhat remarkable what people will view as acceptable when feelings get involved or it serves their emotional needs. There’s really not much room for discussion here according to the USDA. All I’m hearing from some of you is that you’re ok with littering in the wilderness… as long at it has meaning to you personally or you get to spray your name at everyone. Me, me, me. “ I was glad to see” “I enjoy” “entertaining “ “I personally love”…Exactly my point. Save your ammo cans for the range and leave the schedule 40 pvc pipe attached to your sink. Self serving egomaniacs are everywhere in the mountains that’s for sure! Since some of you obviously don’t care about littering in the wilderness for ethical reasons maybe you’ll at least respect the law? Too much to ask?

Under 18 U.S.C. §1865(a), any person that violates any NPS regulation can be subject to up to six-months in jail, fines, or both.[4] Additionally, under 36 C.F.R. §2.14(a)(1), disposing of trash in anything other than a trash can is prohibited on NPS sites.

Not just NP’s, kids!!! Go to section 261.11 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_054750.pdf

In other words, leave your ego at home and if you see trash on the summit, pick it up. Educate people when you can. Act as a steward of the land instead of who they have to clean up after…. 

I’m super motivated! Anybody else want to help?