A Walk in the Woods: The Seneca Trail Garbology Study

Abstract

This “garbology” study examined patterns in the type and location of discarded cultural material found on a popular hiking trail in order to determine: (1) what information the nature and placement of these waste materials could provide about trail users; and (2) whether conclusions could be drawn about collateral activities that trail users engaged in while hiking. The study determined that while the trail is used by a broad cross-section of age groups, the heaviest use is by relatively young adults, with evidence of comparatively equal use by both sexes. The most common collateral activity of hikers was beverage consumption, closely followed by tobacco use and the consumption of snack foods. The artifact distribution patterns suggest that trail users begin smoking and consuming beverages almost immediately after they start walking the trail but do not usually consume snack foods until they have reached at least the half-way point.