Students Trash Lake Shasta Campsite During Greek Weekend

Just three of the ninety tents left behind at the campsite. Jennifer Vick Cox photo. 

Last Sunday Park Rangers discovered what they called an "incredible amount of trash" at a campsite on Slaughterhouse Island, a popular camping destination on Lake Shasta. Photos of the trash can only be described as disgusting and disgraceful. Clean up crews discovered about 90 tents, sleeping bags, coolers filled with food, personal items, and a trash along the shore of the Northern Californian lake. The island has a pack in pack out policy, as it has no bathroom or trash facilities. 

RELATED: Petition Created to Ban "High on Life Crew" from National Parks

The trash can be linked to an annual unsanctioned trip for fraternity and sorority members along the West Coast. Phyllis Swanson, spokeswoman for the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, said it is not unusual to see 1,000 students on the lake during this time. The site in question had over 60 houseboats docked there this weekend. 

"What was different about this one (compared to other years)," Swanson said to The Oregonian, "is they left behind an incredible amount of trash." 

A pile of trash left behind on the shore of Lake Shasta. Jennifer Vick Cox photo. 

Although no direct link has been made to which schools, fraternities or sororities were involved it has not stopped officials from commenting on the incident. 

After University of Oregon clothing and bags were discovered on the site Robin Holmes, Vice President of Student Life at the school issued the following statement:

"Trips to this area have become an annual event for fraternities and sororities all along the West Coast. It is one the University of Oregon does not sponsor or condone in any way.

The university is actively investigating the situation and will take action as appropriate. We are working with authorities to learn all we can and determine who is responsible."

A cooler from the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity is discovered on the site. Jennifer Vick Cox photo. 

In addition after a cooler with the letters of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity was discovered at the campsite the national governing body suspended all activities of the University of Oregon's chapter. Although it appears that some students from OU were at the campsite, we do not know if other schools were present. 

The incident continues a disturbing trend of people, especially young persons, disrespecting nature and wild places. Last week four young men from Canada made national headlines when they took photos at a restricted area in Yellowstone Park. Hopefully these are just two outlier instances and not what is becoming the new normal. 

About The Author

Follow

stash member Jonathan Desabris

Digital Content Producer at TGR. Jackson Hole transplant from the Green Mountain State. Contrary to popular belief I have never lived in New Jersey.