Cairns, the word that comes from the Scottish Gaelic for stone man is a symbol of faith and purpose, of an enlightened journey. Cairn building is a popular activity in the backcountry. It’s not difficult to see why people are drawn to these small piles of flat stones that are stacked as if they were blocks for children. A hiker with sore shoulders and black insects buzzing around her ears will attempt to find a stone that has the right mix of flatness width, tilt, and depth. After a few near-misses (one too bulgy, one too small) A true skeptic will pick the stone that is perfectly positioned. The second layer of the Cairn is completed.
Many people are unaware that cairn construction can cause environmental harm particularly when it is done near water sources. When rocks are removed from the shore of a pond or lake, it disturbs the ecosystem and destroys the habitat for microorganisms that support the entire food chain. These rocks may also http://cairnspotter.com/generated-post-2/ be carried away from the edge of a river, pond or lake through erosion and end up in places in which they could harm humans or wildlife.
In light of this, the practice of cairn making should be avoided in areas that have endangered or rare reptiles, amphibians, or mammals or plants and flowers that require moisture locked under the rocks. And if you build the cairn on private property it could violate federal and state regulations that protect the land’s natural resources. This could result in fines or even arrest.