by Matt Konkle
Torque Editor-in-Chief
What can go wrong in the desert?
No, we’re not talking about some vehicle overturning, or parts spewing out all over that hot, soft Mojave sand.
We’re talking about trash. Debris. Specifically about stuff tossed into the desert like unwanted artifacts, easily forgotten even though none of them were properly discarded.
This year, the annual King of the Hammers event in Johnson Valley, California expects over 40,000 people to converge in a small area of the Mojave Desert about two-and-a-half hours east of Los Angeles.
It is Bureau of Land Management Land, but it is also public land so everyone technically owns the space.
And yet, some of those in attendance at this year’s KOTH event will inevitably treat the area like a sand-filled dumpster. A place to toss whatever they want, wherever they want.
Sadly.
Well, luckily, Tread Lightly! is out at KOTH this year, helping organize clean up mornings at two of the event’s most famous obstacles. Chocolate Thunder and Backdoor.
”Tread Lightly! sees these cleanups as a great way to lead by example at one of the biggest off-road events of the year,” said Tread Lightly! Executive Director Matt Caldwell. “We hope to encourage everyone in the community to do their part and leave it better whether here in Johnson Valley or wherever their favorite place to ride is located.”
For those attending KOTH, Tread Lightly! plans to hold daily trash pickups every morning at Backdoor around 8:30 A.M., and then at Chocolate Thunder at 9:30 A.M. Everyone is welcome because, as we all know, it takes everyone to make a difference.
For those not in the know, Tread Lightly! is the preeminent organization leading the charge in promoting both off-road ethics and responsible land management.
Tread Lightly! and its partners like Quadratec help lead a national initiative to protect and enhance recreation access and opportunities by promoting outdoor ethics to heighten individuals’ sense of good stewardship.
Tread Lightly!’s goal is to balance the needs of the people who enjoy outdoor recreation with a need to maintain healthy ecosystems and thriving populations of fish and wildlife.
Tread Lightly’s! principals include:
Travel Responsibly
On land by staying on designated roads, trails and area. Go over, not around, obstacles to avoid widening the trails. Cross streams only at designated fords. when possible, avoid wet, muddy trails. On water, stay on designated waterways and launch your watercraft in designated areas.
Respect the Rights of Others
Including private property owners, all recreational trail users, campers and others so they can enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed. Leave gates as you found them. Yield right of way to those passing you or going uphill. On water, respect anglers, swimmers, skiers, boaters, divers and those on or near shore.
Educate Yourself
Prior to your trip by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies. Plan for your trip, take recreation skills classes and know how to operate your equipment safely.
Avoid Sensitive Areas
On land such as meadows, lake shores, wetlands and streams. Always ride with caution any time water is present. Wet soils are more susceptible to damage. Riding along river and stream beds causes erosion and habitat destruction. Stay on designated routes. This protects wildlife habitats and sensitive soils from damage. Don’t disturb historical, archeological or paleontological sites. On water, avoid operating your watercraft in shallow waters or near shorelines at high speeds.
Do Your Part
By modeling appropriate behavior, leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species and repairing degraded areas.
