I understand that there is a huge difference between the practice of stone stacking in pristine areas like National Parks and wilderness areas, and the placing of stones on markers etc on heavily trafficked walking route like the Camino Francis.
I'm guilty of leaving stones on markers etc - to me in private memory of passed loved ones and to say symbolically to them, that I remember you, in my private reflections while walking on heavily walked non-national park pathways.
What I find particularly offensive is discarded toilet paper, plastic wrappers, wet wipes, empty water bottles, bits of clothing etc along the path. I also feel dismay and sadness at the many spent shotgun shells that litter the path in areas. Each of these represent some poor bird or animal that was blasted at sometime and probably shot and killed for some bloodthirsty idiots entertainment.
The people who do this are disrespecting the environment, much more so than stone stackers on busy, and heavily walked pathways in my opinion.
I also strongly object to people picking wildflowers, and fungi on the way. One fellow, had a huge colourful toadstool on his hat. He told me he picked it off the track earlier on. My reply was something to the effect thanking him for removing an object of beauty that others would have admired had he left it alone. There were some other words added which left him a little unhappy, to say the least.
I also called out a lady pilgrim who threw lollie warppers on the ground in front of me. She abused me loudly saying "they" should provide rubbish bins for her along the path. I said in response as i walked past her, that she was living proof that it is impossible to argue with mindless idiots and that everybody who saw her rubbish on the ground would wonder who the idiot was that discarded that.
It is much better to pick up the rubbish that you find (toilet paper and wet wipes excluded without a suitable implement) and carry it to the next bin (which sometimes can be found sadly overflowing admittedly).
This I do and this really makes me happy knowing that I've left the track in better condition for the people following and for the environment.
That's what I do, and the only trace I leave is footsteps and the odd stone on a waymarker. Never stone moving in National Parks and never in wilderness or areas where environmental damage would occur.
Take care
Graham