The word cairn, from the Scottish Gaelic for stone man can invoke images of faith and motivation, of an enlightened journey. In the backcountry, cairn making is a trend, and it’s easy to understand why people feel attracted to these cute little piles of flat rocks which are positioned like child’s building blocks. A hiker who is suffering from aching shoulders and black insects buzzing around her ears will attempt to select a stone that is the perfect combination of flatness as well as tilt, width and depth. After a few close calls (one that’s too wide or too small), the purist will select the one that’s set perfectly http://cairnspotter.com/ in place, and the next layer of the cairn will be complete.
Many people don’t realize that cairn building can cause environmental harm particularly when it is done near water sources. When rocks are removed from the shores of the shores of a lake, river or pond, they can disrupt the ecosystem and cause destruction of the microorganisms’ habitats that help to support the entire food chain. They can be swept away from the edge of a pond, river or lake through erosion and end up in places that could pose a threat to wildlife or humans.
Cairns should not be constructed in areas that are home to rare or endangered mammals, reptiles, amphibians, or flowers or where the water is buried beneath the rocks. If you construct an cairn on private property, it may violate state and federal regulations protecting the land’s natural resources. This could result in fines or even arrest.