Elbows off the table, hold the door for others (but don’t make them run) and stop hitting reply all already. Good manners make everyday life with others a little easier—and life on the trail is no exception to the rule.

With that in mind, I did a very unscientific poll of fellow backpackers—from weekend warriors up to multi-time thru-hikers—to find their biggest backpacking pet peeves and ways to avoid making those mistakes. Read on for their best tips on how to be a good human in the woods.

Elbows off the table, hold the door for others (but don’t make them run) and stop hitting reply all already. Good manners make everyday life with others a little easier—and life on the trail is no exception to the rule.

With that in mind, I did a very unscientific poll of fellow backpackers—from weekend warriors up to multi-time thru-hikers—to find their biggest backpacking pet peeves and ways to avoid making those mistakes. Read on for their best tips on how to be a good human in the woods.

I’m still partly asleep when the sky begins to lighten outside the tent. I slowly realize I’m expecting to hear the growing drone of morning traffic. But—nothing. Only the tiniest riffling sound from the river far below.

Even though we spent all of yesterday outdoors, away from work with our phones turned off, we spent the bulk of the day getting away. Getting here. Pushing to our campsite, where I now roll over in my sleeping bag to watch the horizon glow red. Knowing I have another night soothes my mind. I’m finally feeling settled. Life becomes incredibly simple for a moment. My only jobs: walk, eat, find water as necessary. My mind and body start to sync up with nature’s rhythms.