Social media is a great tool to share new outdoor adventures and destinations with friends and family. "Geotagging" is when a clickable location is added to a social media post; sometimes the specific coordinates of the destination or landmark we visited pops up as a taggable option! Practicing responsible geotagging protects fellow outdoor lovers from recreating beyond their skill level and potentially needing rescue services, and helps keep outdoor spaces from becoming overcrowded, as well. Before tagging the exact location of a photo, consider selecting a generic geotag, such as the entire park/forest ("Angeles National Forest") or the general area ("The Lost Coast"). Some backcountry locations may even have a specific tag dedicated to responsible geotagging!
Responsible geotagging is an essential practice for outdoor preservation and safety, and is not an attempt to keep new outdoor explorers from discovering and enjoying the spaces seasoned experts love most. If someone asks where a picture was taken, consider reaching out to them to start a conversation about need-to-know information about the area, including necessary gear, difficulty levels, closures, and any other important considerations.
