I'd leave it as is.

I don't know if they are on a little day hike or if I may be disturbing a crime scene.

I might flag a couple of trees around the site with some of the surveyor's ribbon I carry if I have a creepy feeling just to make it easier to find later.

After we die, we all are food. Circle of life, grasshopper. If you are what you eat, then something will be me, posthumously. I hope it's something cool, and not just a colony of bacteria. Or if a colony of bacteria, a really cool colony...

"...colony of bacteria, a really cool colony..."

Isn't that like military intelligence???

well, there are some slime molds that are pretty spectacular:
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/slime1.htm

Wouldn't be the worst way to get used.

I think I found some of that in the back of my 'fridge once. Didn't seem to change the taste of whatever it was growing on though...

I want to die by falling into a blackhole listening to Johnny Cash's, "Ring of Fire..."

Most of the camping I do is wilderness camping in the BWCAW. Since they have a "leave no trace" policy, I take everything I find. So far I haven't found much though. A length of rope here, a fishing lure there, nothing of significant value...

If in the BWCAW, and I can pack it out, whatever it is, I'm taking it out with me. Seems like the right thing to do there IMHO.

Just be careful not to disturb a potential crime scene or an SAR start point. While it may be well meaning to remove these items, simply entering and disturbing the site might jeopardize a potential criminal prosecution or complicate SAR operations by adding footprints and/or contaminating human scents. Whether it is an isolated item or an entire camp, I would suggest leaving the item/camp alone, marking it on your map and perhaps place some surveying tape 9or other brightly colored object) on the trail near the item/camp to make relocation easier. Report the observation ASAP. If cell phone communication is possible, notify the park rangers, 911 or police, report the finding and request guidance as to whether to stay (if possible) nearby or meet them at some location to provide them with location.

If you have a camera, video or cell phone camera/video, taking pictures as you found the item(s)/camp may be extremely useful.

Pete

We find many goodies when we go camping or 4-wheeling. Jeeps / rigs bounce around and toss out tons of good stuff. Money, tools, etc. We ask as we go if it belongs most of the time the person is long-off so we keep it. We make an effort to return it and post on forums if we find something of value (toothpaste is thrown away).


-Todd

This "possible crime scene" thing is intersting. It leads me to think another thread :
( So you "found" someone camping soemwhere in the woods )

Generally when you meet other campers/backpackers what happens ?
Do you sometimes assume a possible criminal ? or do you generally invite them over for a campfire chat ?

And what happns if you camp and find out another camper nearby ? Say you didn't see each other when you camped, but next morning you smelled his/her coffee brewing.

Edit:

And suppose you were planning to leave your tent ..etc and go hunting, bird photography or whatever. Would you leave your stuff with this other camper around ?