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The United States Forest Service and The National Park Service maintain control over the lands that are within their jurisdiction and these lands are some of the choicest areas of wilderness for backpackers and hikers alike.
In order to hike these regions back country permits or "Wilderness Permits" are required to enter and enjoy these wilderness areas.
The most seasoned hiker or backpacker is very familiar with wilderness permits depending on what part of the country you are doing your trecking in. For the newcomers who are just getting a taste of the pleasures of hiking and backpacking this may be your first time hearing about, let alone obtaining a permit of this type.
Wilderness Permits, or Back Country Use Permits have several purposes.They enable authorities to educate hikers and backapckers on minimum impact camping techniques.They also limit the numbers of hikers and campers during the most popular seasons which in turn helps relieve the environmental stress in these wilderness areas by being overcamped.
It needs to be stressed that it is required to have a wilderness permit by anyone who enters the back country regardless of the time of year or season.Without a permit you can and will be sited by Rangers who patrol and will ask you to produce your permit at their request.The penalties of not having your permit are steep to say the least,and you will be cited and have to appear in court. You will at this time be told by the issuing Ranger to leave the area and some rangers have been known to escort violaters out of the area.
To obtain a permit, you must first contact the Forestry Service or The National Park you wish to backpack or hike in. Usually plan on making your reservations at least two months in advance by telephone or actually visiting the Ranger Station in the area.
Although with new technology available online reservations can be made but no Wilderness Permits can be issued this way. You will then need to find out which Ranger Station will be in the area that you will be departing from and then aquire your permit before leaving for your back country hike.
Your request for the permit must include the date,place of entry and exit from the wilderness, and your method of travel.If you are hiking you will need to state this, or if a portion of your trip will be on horseback then you will also need to be specific in this area also.You will also need to inform the Ranger of the number of people in your party and the number of pack animals that you will be using if any.
With some wilderness permits issued you will receive instructions from the area Ranger on any restrictions regarding camping,collecting wood,or building fires.Failure to follow any of the special instructions you recieve will result in fines and court action.
Your wilderness permit also provides a safeguard.It states the place you will enter the back country, where you will exit and what trails you will be using. By having this permit you are essentially being monitored by the area Ranger and this insures you a safety net of sorts.
Should you not return on time the authorities will begin a search and as long as you are in the area your permit was designated for, you will be rescued.Keep in mind that a day hike does not require a permit,so be sure to make special arrangements to notify several people of your whereabouts.
By following the guidelines of the permit issued you several things occur.You have been provided an added safety net that should allow the novice hiker some extra assurance and less stress.You have also been given guidelines that will help in protecting the environment from being overused and overcamped.The best point of all is that you will experience the thrill of a lifetime as seen through the eyes of ancient explorers.
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