First, a big shout out to the men and women who have been fighting the fires we mentioned on our naughty list. Thank you. And please stay safe.

And also to those wonderful people who work in our national parks and forests, and make it possible for us to enjoy them. Thank you for listening to a thousand points of view and trying to come up with management plans that really do capture a sense what is fair and reasonable in our wonderful resources. We just wish there were more of you, so that you could support those regulations in the back country.

We’d also like to extend those thanks to the volunteers who work in the parks and national forests as well. They make more things possible. How cool is that?

Those who take someone backpacking for the first time. Yeah, it can be a bit of an adventure. But the rewards are truly worth it. This year we took a friend from Italy into the Emigrant Wilderness, and enjoyed every minute of her enthusiastic delight in every foot of the trail. We try to do this each year…and we should probably do more of it.

And you people right here: the many members of the backpacking forums on the internet. What a wonderful resource for anyone who is interested in this activity! Trip reports, equipment reviews, suggestions for new techniques or tactics, or just plain sharing the joys (and frustrations?) of backpacking. Somehow, these boards also ways more reasonable than most internet forums—probably because we all know that there are more important things than getting in flame wars on the internet. Like getting into the woods.

Mother Nature, with a series of storms this November and December that look like they will put an end to the drought. Whatever we did to offend you, we’re sorry. Please keep those rains and snows coming!

I took an old backpack to a local day hiking area with the express purpose of filling it with trash. It's a 50L pack and it wasn't big enough.

Those who take their kids/grandkids out, which is a big hassle and involves carrying extra heavy loads, but highly important to bring on the next generation of backpackers who will want to continue preserving our wild natural spaces. Some of our folks here do this with Scouts, too!

All those folks like Mr. Jowee who pick up trash along the way.

All trail maintainers. I'm no longer able to do that, but even I can flip sticks and rocks off the trail (being super careful about what's below!) and clean out drainage ditches with my trekking poles as I walk.

Thank you all!

All our snow is going down to California, but they need it worse than we do. We are due to get a horrible amount of rain this weekend, but no snow forecast for the immediate future.

All those who pack out any bit of trash they find while they're out there, and a super special thanks to those who go out just to pick up other's trash.

Those who fight to keep public accesses open that do not need to be closed.

Those who stood up to protect our public lands from oil and mining operations.

As always, SAR, and those who head out with them when called.

All those who worked to try and make better gear. It doesn't matter if they failed, only that they tried.

All the newbies who made the leap and got out there for the first time. Good for them!

All the old timers who encouraged them and offered to help them along.

Everyone here, members, moderators, and especially Packlite. This is still one of my favorite places to visit on the web.

Great lists!