Pick it Up & Pack it Out

THE FROG DOES NOT DRINK UP THE POND IN WHICH HE LIVES

-INDIAN PROVERB

Trash on the Black River

On the waterways I paddle I do come across a fair amount of trash. Unfortunately collecting trash has become a big part of my experiences. Another goal of mine with this sight is to prompt folks to not ignore that plastic bottle or candy wrapper they come across. PICK IT UP AND PACK IT OUT! This has become a mantra of mine over the years and my hope is that it will become yours as well. I have created some videos devoted to this practice and will continue to create them. I have also come across other videos from fellow paddlers that have also taken on the task of picking up trash and packing it out. If everyone can remember PICK IT UP AND PACK IT OUT! our wild places will be a more fulfilling experience for us all. What would be really fantastic is folks take care and pack out their own trash. Show us how you are PICKING IT UP AND PACKING IT OUT! at Flatwaterkayaker.com

Trash on the Musky

I often come across trash on the waterways and their surrounding areas when out paddling. Instead of passing by I pick it up and pack it out. I travel with a bucket in my kayak along with a grabber to extend my reach by boat and as some of the trash can be nasty I don’t have to come in direct contact with it. At the end of each trip I bring my full bucket home and throw it in with my own trash and recycling to be disposed of properly. PICK IT UP AND PACK IT OUT has become my mantra when out enjoying the outdoors.

At the Black River launch sight with my bucket and grabber

I have been paddling and camping all my life. I learned early on while going on trips as a kid about camping and paddling etiquette from my best friends dad…Mr. G. When we would leave a camp sight after a trip we were not allowed to leave until Mr. G. would inspect the sight by simply asking …IS IT CLEANER THAN WHEN WE FOUND IT? If it was we were allowed to leave. If not we stayed until it was. While enjoying the outdoors you want to leave no trace of you being there so that the next people coming through can enjoy the experience of coming to an untouched wilderness to explore on there own. LEAVE IT CLEANER THAN WHEN YOU FOUND IT! It was this early foundation that PICK IT UP AND PACK IT OUT grew out of. I hope those of you who visit www.flatwaterkayaker.com leave with PICK IT UP AND PACK IT OUT as your new mantra and help spread the word: PICK IT UP AND PACK IT OUT!
-Keep on Paddling
Jeremy

We are just visitors! PICK IT UP & PACK IT OUT!