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    • Home
    • About your guides
    • Catoctin Mountain Story
    • About the Tour
    • Off-site Meetings
    • Pricing
    • Book A Tour
    • Mission Read-Ahead
    • Reading Room
    • Mountain Spies Tearline
    • Contact Us
    • Responsibility Code
  • Home
  • About your guides
  • Catoctin Mountain Story
  • About the Tour
  • Off-site Meetings
  • Pricing
  • Book A Tour
  • Mission Read-Ahead
  • Reading Room
  • Mountain Spies Tearline
  • Contact Us
  • Responsibility Code

Code Specifics

Restricted Areas

Geotagging & Location Disclosure

Geotagging & Location Disclosure

Mountain Spies does not enter, approach, or attempt access to restricted federal property or secured government facilities.  Tour routes are carefully designed to remain within publicly accessible and legally permitted areas at all times. Guests must remain with the group and follow all guide instructions regarding boundaries and site limitations.

Geotagging & Location Disclosure

Geotagging & Location Disclosure

Geotagging & Location Disclosure

Out of respect for federal guidance and regional security considerations:

  • Real-time geotagging of tour locations is prohibited. 
  • Live-streaming of tour stops is not permitted.
  • Posting exact location coordinates during or immediately after the tour is discouraged.

Guests may share their experience, but should avoid publishing specific site details that could compromise protected areas.  

Photography & Video

Geotagging & Location Disclosure

Photography & Video

Photography is permitted only in publicly accessible areas and at the guide's discretion.

Guests may be instructed to refrain from photography or video recording at specific stops due to:

  • Proximity to sensitive facilities 
  • Federal guidance
  • Preservation requirement

All participants are expected to comply immediately with such direction.

Drone Policy

Geotagging & Location Disclosure

Photography & Video

 The use of drones, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or remotely operated aircraft is strictly prohibited. Much of the Catoctin and South Mountain corridor falls within restricted or controlled airspace, including areas subject to federal enforcement.


Unauthorized drone use may result in:

  • Federal investigation
  • Significant fines
  • Criminal charges

 The use of drones, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or remotely operated aircraft is strictly prohibited. Much of the Catoctin and South Mountain corridor falls within restricted or controlled airspace, including areas subject to federal enforcement.


Unauthorized drone use may result in:

  • Federal investigation
  • Significant fines
  • Criminal charges
     

Mountain Spies will not permit any drone operations under any circumstances.

Compliance

Mountain Spies Stewardship Commitment

Mountain Spies Stewardship Commitment

 Failure to comply with security, photography, or drone policies may result in immediate removal from the tour without refund.

These guidelines are not discretionary. They exist to ensure the safety of guests, compliance with federal law, and continued access to historically significant landscapes.

Mountain Spies Stewardship Commitment

Mountain Spies Stewardship Commitment

Mountain Spies Stewardship Commitment

 The Catoctin Mountain Corridor is not a backdrop. It is living terrain, environmentally protected, historically layered, and still strategically relevant.


Mountain Spies approaches it with restraint. We respect the land, the communities, and the continuing federal missions embedded within these mountains. 


We remain on lawful routes, avoid

 The Catoctin Mountain Corridor is not a backdrop. It is living terrain, environmentally protected, historically layered, and still strategically relevant.


Mountain Spies approaches it with restraint. We respect the land, the communities, and the continuing federal missions embedded within these mountains. 


We remain on lawful routes, avoid restricted areas, and never disclose sensitive location details.


History is explored here. It is not disturbed.


Our Responsibility Code is available upon request to those interested.

Mountain Spies Responsibility Code

Policy Overview

Mountain Spies operates within a region that includes federal lands, protected historic sites, and areas associated with active or sensitive government facilities. Guests must understand that certain locations within the broader corridor remain restricted or subject to federal security regulations.

To ensure compliance with applicable laws, protect the integrity of these sites, and uphold responsible outdoor ethics, the following policies apply:


Guests must remain in publicly accessible areas at all times and may not enter posted, restricted, or secured locations.

All instructions provided by Mountain Spies staff regarding route boundaries, safety perimeters, or access limitations must be followed immediately.


Mountain Spies strictly adheres to Leave No Trace principles. Guests are expected to minimize their impact at all times, including:

  • Staying on designated paths and surfaces 
  • Packing out all waste and leaving no materials behind 
  • Avoiding disturbance to natural features, wildlife, and historic artifacts 
  • Leaving all locations exactly as they were found 


Photography, videography, geotagging, live-streaming, drone operation, and digital mapping may be restricted or prohibited at the discretion of Mountain Spies staff. Designated segments are no-recording zones.


No participant may attempt to approach, photograph, map, or document secured facilities, infrastructure, or controlled areas.


Guests must comply with all National Park Service, state, and local regulations governing conduct, access, and airspace.


Any violation of these policies may result in immediate removal from the program and may subject the individual to enforcement under applicable federal, state, or local law.


These measures are in place to ensure lawful operation, participant safety, environmental stewardship, and respect for the historic and security-sensitive nature of the Catoctin Mountain Corridor.

Copyright © 2026  Mountain Spies - All Rights Reserved.

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