The Principles of Leave No Trace
If you spend a lot of time in the outdoors, you have probably heard the phrase “leave no trace”. This is a set of ethics that outdoor lovers live by in order to keep national parks and forests enjoyable, clean, and safe for everyone. If you plan on spending time in these public forests, you should be familiar with the 7 principles of leave no trace.
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
The first of the principles of leave no trace is plan ahead and prepare. This principle stands behind the idea that proper preparation can help ensure a safe trip.
Backpackers, campers, and hikers should research forest regulations and obtain any necessary permits before visiting. Some parks require the use of bear cans. Others may have a fire ban. These rules are set for good reason, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with them before your trip.
It’s also important to go into the trip prepared. Repackage your snacks and toiletries to minimize the trash you’ll end up producing on the trip. Be sure to also have the gear to handle accidents and bad weather. If it’s your first time backpacking and you’re not sure what to expect, bring along a friend with experience… Or binge-read all of the articles on Hinterback.com.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Leaving no trace means keeping your impact on the area to a minimum. A major goal should be to reduce the damage you do to the land.
One easy way to do this is by staying on the maintained trails and camping in established campsites. This will keep you from damaging vegetation. The best campsites are often ones that have been used many times before you. If you can’t find an existing one, try to keep your new one small and on a durable surface. It’s a real bummer when a forest becomes covered in the scars of old campsites.
In less-frequently traveled areas, reducing the impact on the land means spreading your group out. This helps prevent erosion and the formation of new paths. Try to step on rock, sand, gravel, or other surfaces that hold up well to foot traffic.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
One of the most well-known of the principles of leave no trace is the “pack in, pack out” principle. Anything that you take into the woods, you should bring back out with you.
Any trash you produce in the woods, like food wrappers, toilet paper, feminine products, or bandaid wrappers, you’ll need to carry with you. Bring along a large zippable plastic bag to store all your trash in. This will keep it contained and will limit the smell. Keeping the forest free from trash is necessary for keeping the plants and animals healthy.
Waste isn’t just referring to garbage, but human waste as well. If toilet facilities or latrines are available, please use them. Even if you think a latrine is gross, plug your nose, close your eyes, and do it for the good of the forest.
When facilities are not available, bury your waste 6 to 8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from any water source.
If you’re doing laundry or dishes, be sure to dispose of your water properly. Use only a small amount of biodegradable soap and dump the dirty water at 200 feet away from water sources.
This 200-foot guideline is in place to help keep the water clean and free of contaminants. Fish, animals, and people all utilize that water. Keeping waste that distance or more from the water will help keep it from seeping in.
4. Leave What You Find
Pack out what you pack in and nothing else. There are a ton of cool rocks, plants, and critters on the trail that you might want to take as a souvenir. Take pictures instead. After all, a phone full of pictures is a lot lighter than a backpack full of rocks.
This principle isn’t just about taking things home with you, but leaving things as you found them. Don’t pick plants, build structures, or dig objects. Once you leave an area, it should look as though no one was ever there.
On some hikes, you may find a bridge or a boulder into which many passers-by carved their name. Those individuals were not abiding by this principle. Public forests would look a lot nicer if these surfaces didn’t have fifty random names carved into it.
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
A campfire at the end of a long day can be a real treat, especially on a chilly mountain night. However, it’s important to minimize the impact your fire has on the area.
Use established fire pits or rings whenever possible. If none are around, evaluate whether a campfire is necessary. When the weather is warm and you have a camp stove for cooking, you might not need a fire.
If you do choose to build a fire, make sure it is a small one. Use only dead and fallen wood for fires rather than cutting down living wood. Make sure to follow campfire safety guidelines and always keep the fire under control. It just takes a spark to ruin miles of backcountry.
6. Respect Wildlife
One of the principles of leave no trace that can have the biggest impact on your personal safety is the “respect wildlife” principle. When you go into the forest, you should expect to see wild animals and it’s a good idea to know how to behave around them.
Especially bears, read more here.
Following, chasing, and approaching any animal in the woods is a bad move. Even an animal as innocent as a deer has the ability to severely injure you when it feels threatened. Always keep your distance … for the safety of the animal and yourself.
Also be sure to store your food and trash properly. This is for the good of the animals and the people using the forest. If animals get in the habit of stealing food from humans they will continue to visit campsites for food. They may become more aggressive or they may become a nuisance to anyone spending the night.
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Most national parks and forests attract loads of visitors every day. You’re not the only one on these trails, so make sure you keep them enjoyable for the people you share them with.
A common complaint among hikers is that some people make too much noise as they trek around the woods. Using your outdoor voice to communicate among your group is totally fine, but playing music loudly or causing a ruckus late into the night can be disrespectful.
It’s also common courtesy to camp away from other visitors when possible. People like their privacy and alone time. While it’s a good idea to greet someone who is staying the night in the same area, you shouldn’t pitch your tent too close to them.
Mind your manners on the trail as well. Yield to others and let people pass you if you’re moving slow. If there are any hazards on the trail, it’s nice to give them a heads up.
Most hikers I have encountered on the trail have been incredibly friendly … lets keep it that way!
To learn more about Leave No Trace, check out the LNT website!
Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash
