Stone stacking is trendy. Probably because people like to be photographed with it.
But the pastime can harm both the environment and people.
Nick Petropoulos runs Wicked Wildlife – an Australian organization that educates people on how to care for animals and nature.
The piled up stones, which the environmentalist observes more and more often, worry him.
Because the stacking of stones originally had a vital purpose: the piles are regarded as landmarks and signposts for hikers. But today, the cairns built by tourists could be misleading.
“What these people are actually doing without them realizing it is diverting someone off the right trail. That can lead to someone getting lost. Are you willing to take responsibility for this just because you wanted to stack a few bricks on top of each other ?”
The second reason: It’s ruthless.
“All over the world, people go into the wilderness to escape civilization, take a break from humanity and get in touch with nature. The last thing you want to see when you go to a national park is like someone spray-painted their name on a cliff. This is no different.”
Whether in the mountains or on the beach: moving stones can damage sensitive ecosystems. Because stones provide a firm ground, protect plants and insects, and provide habitat for many different animals.
“Unfortunately, the flat stones are always used because they are easy to stack. But it is precisely these stones that many species need to survive.”
The best rule in the wilderness remains: leave everything exactly as you found it.