#balancingrocks

[chey-murray]

The Rock-Stacking Controversy

If you visit a riverbank or rocky area, you might see hundreds of them all stacked up like a little army. You might call them rock-stacks(which is what I will call them for this post), inukshuks, cairns, or something else entirely. No matter what you call them, they are an ongoing source of controversy in the outdoors community.

In a video I saw many years ago now, a woman was videoing and yelling at someone who was kicking rock-stacks down, and the comments section could not agree on who was in the right. Since then, I have seen posts of people talking about how a “rock-kicker made their kid cry” as well as posts along the lines of “I tried to explain to this mother why not to stack rocks, and she yelled at me.”

The rock-stacks are now being built in mass amounts(often for a photo), and has created a divide.

Rather than argue about what or what not to allow people to do, in this post I am going to tell you all the sides and facts I can so you can make your own opinion.

The “They Are Fun” Side:

This side argues that they are harmless fun. They say that kids and adults alike need time climbing trees, playing in stream, and exploring, in order to truly learn to appreciate nature.

"Rock stacking is an outdoor activity that promotes motor skills and dirty hands." Fatherly

"In modern times, many people use stacking stones to relax, relieve stress, meditate, create, play, and learn." Rhythms of Play

The “They Are Art” Side:

It takes time and perfect balance to stack the rocks just right, and each rock-stack tells the story of someone who did just that. They are art, and should not be removed because they make this group happy to see.

As it turns out, you don’t need sleight of hand or even mud to design gravity-defying cairns. You do need a bit of patience, though, and a knack for “knowing the rocks,” according to Michael Grab, a land artist who has been balancing rocks since 2008. He builds his sculptures with rocks from the natural landscape, usually alongside water.  Rock balancing is an internationally recognized craft; Grab has been invited to design sculptures at rock balance festivals in Italy, Costa Rica, and Boulder, Colorado, where he spends most of his time“ THE ZEN OF ROCK BALANCING” by Garden Design

The “They Are Ugly” Side:

Yup, the opposite as above. This side says that they hike to be out in nature, not to be reminded of humans by all the “ugly little rock stacks” destroying the natural scenery.

The “They Are Environmentally Bad” Side:

Environmentalists and leave-no-trace hikers argue that removing rocks displaces wildlife who use the rocks as homes or to hide under, as well as helps cause soil erosion.

“When rocks are relocated, this also can destabilize the soil and make the area vulnerable to erosion. In the case of removing rocks from rivers and other water bodies, you may be disrupting aquatic habitats and, in extreme cases, could even be affecting the natural flow.” The Washington Post

The “They Will Get People Lost” Side:

Backcountry hikers argue that they are often used as trail markers for places where trails are not clearly marked, and that making random rock stacks can get people lost.

On the other side of this argument, they also say to be very careful which stacks you kick down, because you could be kicking down a trail marker.

"Stone sculptures are often built to mark trails and to help hikers find their way up and down the mountains." CBC

_____

So, as you can tell, people can be very passionate about what side they are on. What about you? Which side are you on in this controversy?

#rockstack #rockstacking #rock stacking #rock stack #balancingrocks #rocktower #hiking #hiker #hike #albertahiking #hikingalberta #outdoors #nature #environment #enviromental #environmetalists #ecology #ecosystem #education

[gregwal]

A bunch of cairns near Cairns #cairn #cairns #balancingrocks #beach #travel #travelphotography #queensland #australia #wanderlust #pixel7pro (at Balancing Rocks Wangetti) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmLudN3rGHp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#cairn #cairns #balancingrocks #beach #travel #travelphotography #queensland #australia #wanderlust #pixel7pro

[aracaria]

Rock Tower in Fibonacci Garden #fibonacci #rocktower #rocksculpture #balancingrock #northernrivers (at Mullumbimby) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch37tv1vOf0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#fibonacci #rocktower #rocksculpture #balancingrock #northernrivers

[dragangrafixmarketing]

[davidwfloydart]

This large balancing rock known as Kummakivi in Ruokolahti, Finland #finland #finlandnature #balancingpose #balancingrocks #naturalwonders #rockstar #kummakivistone #natureperfection (at Catalina Foothills, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/CbeLjWyrcgs3jQ6lMYRAnNXcZM8706_8BohjUs0/?utm_medium=tumblr

#finland #finlandnature #balancingpose #balancingrocks #naturalwonders #rockstar #kummakivistone #natureperfection

[endeisjewelrydesign]

💛❤️𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 💜💖 I have finished a handful of Cairn pieces for my upcoming collection! I fell in love with the idea of these stone stacks as soon as I finished my first piece so I decided to add another colour combination! Almandine Garnet, Hessonite Garnet and Citrine. 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐣𝐨𝐲, 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲. I will stock the shop with three Cairn rings and two Cairn necklaces. Which colour combination is your favourite?! 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝟐𝟎:𝟎𝟎 𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐓! 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫! . . . . . . . . #botanicaljewelry #artisanjewelry #silversmith #woodlandjewelry #woodlandart #darkcottagecore #natureinspiredjewelry #cottagecorejewelry #cottagecore #fairycore #herbalwitch #gardenwitch #instasmithy #balancingrocks #magicaljewelry #artjewelry #witchyjewelry #jewelryartist #greenwitch #whimsicaljewelry #metalsmithsociety #stonebalancing (at Amsterdam, Netherlands) https://www.instagram.com/p/CbiJC_NgDpf/?utm_medium=tumblr

#botanicaljewelry #artisanjewelry #silversmith #woodlandjewelry #woodlandart #darkcottagecore #natureinspiredjewelry #cottagecorejewelry #cottagecore #fairycore #herbalwitch #gardenwitch #instasmithy #balancingrocks #magicaljewelry #artjewelry #witchyjewelry #jewelryartist #greenwitch #whimsicaljewelry #metalsmithsociety #stonebalancing

[northern-downpour-sends-its-luv]

What did you do over the weekend? I paid a visit to @groundsforsculpture yesterday! I recommend that everyone pay a visit while it's still green!

#yoga #yogajournal #yogalife #yogaposes #yogagirl #yogadaily #yogapractice #yoga workout #yogainspiration #redheads #redhead #redheadsdoitbetter #aesthetic #cottage living #art #sculpturegarden #sculpture #witch #earthbender #balancingrocks #newjerseyphotographers #newjersey #nj #njphotography

[digi-lala]

We had a wonderful time at #garnerstatepark I did a little #rockstacking 😊 Always creating art and finding the #balance #stackrockseverywhere #stackrocks #rockart #balancingrocks #nature #naturephotography #stateparks https://www.instagram.com/p/B_X7EKrnKhQ/?igshid=oopn200f45bc

#garnerstatepark #rockstacking #balance #stackrockseverywhere #stackrocks #rockart #balancingrocks #nature #naturephotography #stateparks

[mccoopah]

Balanced Rock #balancingrocks #balancedrock #archesnationalpark #moab #utah (at Balanced Rock) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4q7g45BXVA/?igshid=13tjoqgp08yjg

#balancingrocks #balancedrock #archesnationalpark #moab #utah

[seaglassvisions-seaglassjewelry]

Ahh Anguilla, “Tranquillity wrapped in blue”. The place that makes my soul happy. Rock art on the beach, St. Martin in the background. Artist unknown but appreciated! #anguilla #bwi #rendezvousbay #merrywingbay #cuisinartresort #rockart #zenart #artistunknown #rockartonthebeach #rockartzen #rockstack #rockbalancingsculpture #balancingrocks #beachcomberstack #stackedrocks #beachzen #soultravel #fulfilled #myhappyplace https://www.instagram.com/p/By7puwBB3Aa/?igshid=9mesmqy9q4v8

#anguilla #bwi #rendezvousbay #merrywingbay #cuisinartresort #rockart #zenart #artistunknown #rockartonthebeach #rockartzen #rockstack #rockbalancingsculpture #balancingrocks #beachcomberstack #stackedrocks #beachzen #soultravel #fulfilled #myhappyplace

[eastwestfarm]

The kids and I have found a new past time. #balancingrocks #rushingwater #serenity #eastwestfarm #nature #alabamaoutdoors (at East West Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsTuN0xA4X6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1306a0rdqhwhy

#balancingrocks #rushingwater #serenity #eastwestfarm #nature #alabamaoutdoors

[theladyblank]

St Ives.

#stives #stones #beach #summer #balancingrocks #england

[millionyearscrystal]

Magnificent Agate Towers with Druzy center. There humble chunky agate towers are with super sparkling druzy, smooth polishing through out. Agate is perfect for balancing mind, body and soul, enhancing mental function. It is great in a working environment, no matter you are working from home, or have to go back to office. This beautiful crystal will bring so much to you. #crystals #crystalporn #balancingchakras #balancingrocks #agate #agatedruzy ##crystallivesale #crystalovers #crystalcollection #crystalsofinstagram #crystalhealing #minerals #crystaldecor #homedecor #crystalvibes #agatetowers #quartztower #quartz #amethyst #crystalsofinstagram #million_years_crystal #meditate https://www.instagram.com/p/CFZXDhqHSE_/?igshid=o2xkh788eemo

#crystals #crystalporn #balancingchakras #balancingrocks #agate #agatedruzy #crystallivesale #crystalovers #crystalcollection #crystalsofinstagram #crystalhealing #minerals #crystaldecor #homedecor #crystalvibes #agatetowers #quartztower #quartz #amethyst #million_years_crystal #meditate

[mandriotti]

When are find harmony in our soul, we find love, and the balance is not so hard anymore. . . . . . #iggygarcia #solitude #harmony #balance #balancingrocks #water #life #live #give #motivation #inspiration #shaman #creek (at Indian Run Falls Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CA2klAhjnCj/?igshid=41g01bn0w00r

#iggygarcia #solitude #harmony #balance #balancingrocks #water #life #live #give #motivation #inspiration #shaman #creek

[booboobeckie]

#rocks #balancingrocks #balancing #justgoshoot #makingmemories #lake #fishing #granby #granbycolorado #blue #art #andthesunshiningonmyface #delicate #forest #instagood #instacool #love #mountains #nature #naturesscenery #outside #water #adventure #beautiful #coloradoinstagram #lakegranby (at Lake Granby) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5bjZaclpm_/?igshid=1105eq7rp6bw5

#rocks #balancingrocks #balancing #justgoshoot #makingmemories #lake #fishing #granby #granbycolorado #blue #art #andthesunshiningonmyface #delicate #forest #instagood #instacool #love #mountains #nature #naturesscenery #outside #water #adventure #beautiful #coloradoinstagram #lakegranby

[happylogpublications]

Wait, is that a Capybara? With a pipe.... And rocks balancing next to mushrooms. Why yes, yes it is. What of it. #capybara #animal #cute #chill #pipe #balancingrocks #pencilsketch #pencil #sketch #sketchbook #dailysketch #daily #instaart #illustration #conservation #loganfrench #happylogpublications #mushrooms

#sketch #loganfrench #dailysketch #balancingrocks #animal #mushrooms #illustration #chill #cute #sketchbook #instaart #conservation #happylogpublications #pencilsketch #capybara #daily #pipe #pencil