Probably the largest simultaneous trail cleanup event ever....

[FinnCustomKnives]

This is really great. I see a pin-point on VA, I would love to get involved and volunteer. Going to start asking around the off road groups I know to see if that's something I can join.

Just join the Venture Unknown FB group and keep an eye on the events tab, that's really going to be the best way to stay up to date.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/542113683397581/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT

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[sunset]

I was a member of Team Tray Mtn and we managed to haul 3750 pounds of trash and 20 tires of the mountain. I'm sure there is more but we went as far as me digging and yanking 4 tires and a couple inner tubes out of the ground.

Overall totalling all of the teams we collected 56,602 pounds of trash and 302 tires from National Forests throughout the southeast all in one day!

Wow, I had no idea the extent to which people do not clean up after themselves (or just pitch tires into the woods!) and was only lightly aware of clean-up efforts on the part of anybody.

Certainly, politicians are made aware of your group's clean-up successes? You know, the politicians who argue to close down trails, etc.

 

[Dlit]

Disgraceful that people can’t pick up after themselves. Thanks for your efforts.

 

[FinnCustomKnives]

Wow, I had no idea the extent to which people do not clean up after themselves (or just pitch tires into the woods!) and was only lightly aware of clean-up efforts on the part of anybody.

Certainly, politicians are made aware of your group's clean-up successes? You know, the politicians who argue to close down trails, etc.

We can make them aware all we want, and we do, but they don't care. Our method of enjoying life is diametrically opposed to the agenda of those who wish to limit motorized access.
Any team that was in a National Forest had a USFS representative with us that documented everything and will be making it known. However I have little faith that it would stop closures.

 

[sunset]

We can make them aware all we want, and we do, but they don't care. Our method of enjoying life is diametrically opposed to the agenda of those who wish to limit motorized access.
Any team that was in a National Forest had a USFS representative with us that documented everything and will be making it known. However I have little faith that it would stop closures.

Well said. I was hoping that they could respect and appreciate all of the free labor put into this, across 10 states no less, obviating allocating tax money from their precious budgets.

The pictures say it. Much respect for your group.

 

[gsbrockman]

This thread should be pinned / stickied.

 

[Av8Chuck]

We can make them aware all we want, and we do, but they don't care. Our method of enjoying life is diametrically opposed to the agenda of those who wish to limit motorized access.
Any team that was in a National Forest had a USFS representative with us that documented everything and will be making it known. However I have little faith that it would stop closures.

I believe simply informing politicians about the cleanup initiatives driven by off-road and overlanding enthusiasts isn't sufficient. There's a misconception associating these efforts solely with cleaning up after our own community, despite much of the trash being left by individuals unrelated to these lifestyles. It's crucial to highlight the origins of this trash to address the issue comprehensively.

I appreciate the achievements, but it's important to be mindful of the political implications. The fact that over 56,000 lbs of trash were removed can inadvertently provide ammunition to those advocating for a ban on off-roading. Their argument suggests that banning off-roading would eliminate the need for cleanup efforts in the first place.

 

[FinnCustomKnives]

I believe simply informing politicians about the cleanup initiatives driven by off-road and overlanding enthusiasts isn't sufficient. There's a misconception associating these efforts solely with cleaning up after our own community, despite much of the trash being left by individuals unrelated to these lifestyles. It's crucial to highlight the origins of this trash to address the issue comprehensively.

I appreciate the achievements, but it's important to be mindful of the political implications. The fact that over 56,000 lbs of trash were removed can inadvertently provide ammunition to those advocating for a ban on off-roading. Their argument suggests that banning off-roading would eliminate the need for cleanup efforts in the first place.

No doubt. The vast majority of the dump spots are immediately once getting on FSR's and a ton of it was household trash and/or tires. So it's quite clear this is locals with no trash service and local tire shops that don't want to pay to have the tires disposed of.

Of course we got plenty of stuff from campsites and whatnot but it was but a fraction of the %of the weight.

 

[VKSheridan]

Good job amigo. You and your team earn their trail pass. If we ever come back from off-roading without a 33 gallon bag of other people’s garbage, I’ll know hell has froze over.

 

[redsyphon]

I am a member of the FB group Venture Unknown. I primarily joined said group because I have heard they perform trail cleanup events randomly throughout the year and I am constantly collecting trash when we often visit local National Forests.

Well I did so with great timing as 12/2/23 was their annual Sweep Up The Southeast event. This year it span 10 states with 16 locations/teams.

I was a member of Team Tray Mtn and we managed to haul 3750 pounds of trash and 20 tires of the mountain. I'm sure there is more but we went as far as me digging and yanking 4 tires and a couple inner tubes out of the ground.

Overall totalling all of the teams we collected 56,602 pounds of trash and 302 tires from National Forests throughout the southeast all in one day!

Yes it was raining and incredibly foggy the whole time, it wasn't exactly warm, and the terrain was challenging but we all came together to keep our National Forests beautiful, clean, safe, and hopefully helping ensure said areas stay open to all for generations to come. I encourage you all to ALWAYS come back with more than you go out with. Everyone complains about people trashing trails up and getting them shutdown but rarely do said people show up to actually be part of the solution.

We had a dump trailer to haul it off but I brought my M1102 to shorten walking distances then transferred everything into the dump at the end.

This! Next time I'll keep an eye out for it.

 

[Buttnakedjeepin]

Thanks for posting. My father in law was in town and wanted to see places we go. I ran into a team cleaning Horse Pasture Road at Lake Jocasee. I was bummed that I lost track of the sign up . I did manage to pick up a few things when the team caught up to us and passed it along. So I did help...kinda....lol.. Anyway the VU is a Fantastic group of people and anyone that loves to Overland. Sean has some amazing trips planned.

 

[Neen_Spell]

Good on ya, and thanks for doing this! I hike and backpack, mostly in the Sierra backcountry, and pretty much every trek i come out with trash. I will also pick up trash when i can when venturing off-road as well.

 

[MK212MX]

Truly amazing work! It is just a shame people are such pigs and can't or just refuse to clean up after themselves.

 

[stephanadams]

He has created a non profit arm of Venture Unknown to help do events like this and host recovery and trail medical class events.

jiofi.local.html tplinklogin​

 

[FinnCustomKnives]

He has created a non profit arm of Venture Unknown to help do events like this and host recovery and trail medical class events.

Can't wait for September 7th for SUTS '24!!

We did a good job back in May on FS150 Darnell Creek and the other team over in Nantahala. However SUTS just has more people so we will see some serious numbers this go round!!

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