The Ethics of Cairn Creation and Destruction: Reading Between the Lines of Outdoor Etiquette Cairns have been a staple of outdoor navigation for centuries, serving as visual markers to guide hikers, climbers, and adventurers through wilderness terrain.
Their purpose extends beyond mere wayfinding; cairns also shape our relationship with the outdoors.
Understanding Cairns and Their Purpose The earliest recorded use of cairns dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Norsemen.