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    • Home
    • About your guides
    • Mountains that Matter
    • About the Tour
    • Events and Group Tours
    • Speaking & Group Programs
    • Pricing
    • Shop
    • Book A Tour
    • Explore the Story
    • Discover
    • Journal Stories
    • Responsibility Code
    • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About your guides
  • Mountains that Matter
  • About the Tour
  • Events and Group Tours
  • Speaking & Group Programs
  • Pricing
  • Shop
  • Book A Tour
  • Explore the Story
  • Discover
  • Journal Stories
  • Responsibility Code
  • Contact Us

Code Specifics

Restricted Areas

Geotagging & Location Disclosure

Geotagging & Location Disclosure

Mountain Spies strictly adheres to federal security regulations and does not enter, approach, or attempt access to restricted federal property or secured government facilities. Tour routes through the Catoctin Mountain Corridor are carefully designed to remain within publicly accessible and legally permitted areas at all times. Guests mus

Mountain Spies strictly adheres to federal security regulations and does not enter, approach, or attempt access to restricted federal property or secured government facilities. Tour routes through the Catoctin Mountain Corridor 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, in accordance with Leave No Trace principles.

Geotagging & Location Disclosure

Geotagging & Location Disclosure

Geotagging & Location Disclosure

Out of respect for federal security regulations and regional safety considerations in the Catoctin Mountain Corridor: 


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 expe

Out of respect for federal security regulations and regional safety considerations in the Catoctin Mountain Corridor: 


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 adhere to Leave No Trace principles by avoiding the publication of specific site details that could compromise protected areas.

Photography & Video

Geotagging & Location Disclosure

Photography & Video

Photography is permitted only in publicly accessible areas of the Catoctin Mountain Corridor and at the guide's discretion. Guests may be instructed to refrain from photography or video recording at specific stops due to federal security regulations, proximity to sensitive facilities, or preservation requirements to uphold Leave No Trace 

Photography is permitted only in publicly accessible areas of the Catoctin Mountain Corridor and at the guide's discretion. Guests may be instructed to refrain from photography or video recording at specific stops due to federal security regulations, proximity to sensitive facilities, or preservation requirements to uphold Leave No Trace principles. All participants are expected to comply immediately with such directions.

Drone Policy

Geotagging & Location Disclosure

Photography & Video

The use of drones, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or remotely operated aircraft is strictly prohibited in the Catoctin Mountain Corridor due to federal security regulations. Much of this area falls within restricted or controlled airspace, which is subject to federal enforcement. Unauthorized drone use may result in serious consequences s

The use of drones, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or remotely operated aircraft is strictly prohibited in the Catoctin Mountain Corridor due to federal security regulations. Much of this area falls within restricted or controlled airspace, which is subject to federal enforcement. Unauthorized drone use may result in serious consequences such as: 

  - Federal investigation 

  - Significant fines 

  - Criminal charges 

  

Mountain Spies will not permit any drone operations under any circumstances, as they adhere to Leave No Trace principles.

Compliance

Mountain Spies Stewardship Commitment

Mountain Spies Stewardship Commitment

Failure to comply with federal security regulations, photography, or drone policies may result in immediate removal from the tour without a refund. These guidelines align with Leave No Trace principles and are not discretionary. They exist to ensure the safety of guests, compliance with federal law, and continued access to the historically significant landscapes of the Catoctin Mountain Corridor.

Mountain Spies Stewardship Commitment

Mountain Spies Stewardship Commitment

Mountain Spies Stewardship Commitment

The Catoctin Mountain Corridor is not merely a backdrop; it is vibrant terrain that is environmentally protected, historically layered, and still strategically important. Mountain Spies approaches the Catoctin Mountain Corridor with a sense of restraint, honoring the land, the surrounding communities, and the ongoing federal missions embe

The Catoctin Mountain Corridor is not merely a backdrop; it is vibrant terrain that is environmentally protected, historically layered, and still strategically important. Mountain Spies approaches the Catoctin Mountain Corridor with a sense of restraint, honoring the land, the surrounding communities, and the ongoing federal missions embedded within these mountains. We adhere to federal security regulations, staying on lawful routes, avoiding restricted areas, and never disclosing sensitive location details. Here, history is explored without disturbance. Our Responsibility Code, which incorporates Leave No Trace principles, is available upon request for those interested.

Responsibility Code

Policy Overview

Mountain Spies operates within the Catoctin Mountain Corridor, a region that encompasses federal lands, protected historic sites, and areas linked to active or sensitive government facilities. Guests must understand that certain locations within this 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, including adherence to Leave No Trace principles, the following policies apply:


Guests must remain in publicly accessible areas at all times and are not permitted to 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 follows Leave No Trace principles. Guests are expected to minimize their impact at all times by:


- 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, particularly in designated 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 that govern conduct, access, and airspace.


Any violation of these policies may result in immediate removal from the program and could 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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