Roaming The Trails

If you follow any outdoor adventurers on social media, you may have noticed they often reference #LeaveNoTrace. If you’re new to outdoor adventuring or just new to this term, you may be wondering what Leave No Trace actually means and why it’s important to even know in the first place.

The phrase is simple to interpret = enjoy the outdoors without leaving an impact on the places you visit. However, many people do not know there are seven guiding principles that encompass the Leave no Trace slogan. We’ll briefly define each principle and provide examples on how you can implement them in your outdoor adventures. 

#1. Plan Ahead, Be Prepared

Researching your site can not only keep you safer and make your trip more enjoyable, but it can also prevent you from causing harm and destruction in your destination. 

• Have a map or GPS system so you can avoid going off trail. This keeps you from getting lost and trampling vegetation by going off trail. 
• Know regulations of the sites you are visiting. Some sites may close during certain seasons, weather conditions, or close for repairs. Know if alternate routes are available or if it’s best to wait until the site re-opens. 
• Know if pets are allowed. Even the most well-behaved dog or cat can disrupt the local ecosystem. Do not take your pets if they are not allowed in that trail or site, yes even your tiny pup that can fit in your backpack.

#2. Travel & Camp Only in Sturdy Surfaces

You may be inspired to take that perfect photo or video in the middle of a meadow of wildflowers or at the base of a waterfall, but reconsider that urge. Camping and walking though undesignated areas damages the vegetation that is trying to grow and flourish. 

• Stay on trail when hiking, do not go off trail even if it seems fun and safe. 
• Camp in designated camp sites or in areas that are bare of vegetation and are on a sturdy and safe surface. 
• Camp 200 feet away from any lakes, streams or rivers as to not contaminate local water sources.

3. Dispose of Waste

Don’t leave anything behind except for footprints.Take any trash with you including wrappers, fruit seeds/pits, and peels. Even if your trash is biodegradable like an orange peel, you can’t leave it behind as it can disrupt the local ecosystem (i.e. an animal eating it, the biodegradable chemistry harming vegetation. 

• Carry a small trash bag with you so you can stuff your waste in it and empty it out later. 
• Consider using biodegradable dish soap when washing your camp kitchen utensils and wash 200ft away from lakes, streams, and rivers. 
• Before taking a dip in a lake, wash off your sunscreen/deodorant/bug spray with biodegradable body wash. 
• Use on-site bathrooms whenever possible, but if you must go outside, know how to properly poop in the outdoors and how to dispose of human waste.

4. Leave What You Find

Look with your eyes not with your hands. Take photos, videos and memories, but don’t take anything no matter how small it might be. 

• Don’t pick flowers, leaves, or branches. 
• Don’t take rocks, sticks, or other things you find. Instead visit the souvenir shop and look for a keepsake to take home. 
• Don’t make cairns (stacked pile of rocks) or labyrinths with stones or sticks. This may look cool in photos and videos but again, this can disrupt the local ecosystem and may even lead other hikers/campers off trial. 

5. Minimize Fire Impact

Our friend Smokey The Bear has been telling us for years the impact wildfires can have on our environment and the role we can play in preventing the spread of wildfires. 

• Make fires in permitted areas only and make sure to completely put out fires. Like double, triple check. 
• Avoid making fires during high risk fire seasons (this might take some research on your part). 
• Give fires a break from time to time by using lanterns and camp stoves with bunsen burners (you can still make smores on those).

6. Respect Wildlife

If you see a critter on site, observe from afar and try not to startle them. You may want to get close to snap a picture or take a video but instead give critters space and zoom in with your camera. Remember that these animals have wild instincts, and we are the ones trespassing their space so we can’t be surprised if they spook and act like, well, wild animals. 

• Don’t feed wildlife as this can cause them harm and illness. Their droppings can also cause damage to the eco system if they ingest food that is not local to the area. 
• Store food and trash in appropriate spaces to avoid luring in wildlife and putting them and yourself in danger. Keep in mind that some animals can pick up schends from miles away. Just because you can’t smell your trail mix doesn’t mean they can’t. 
• Do not take your pets in areas where they are not allowed. Again this can spook or lure in wildlife. Your pet’s urine and droppings can also cause damage to the local ecosystem. 

7. Be Considerate of Others

Keep other campers and hikers in mid when you are enjoying the outdoors. Everyone deserves to spend time outdoors and have an enjoyable experience. We can go in depth about outdoor culture and etiquire, but here are some key points to consider. 

• Share the trail. Walk in single file if you’re in a group, so others can use the trail too and not have to go off trail to get around you. 
• Leave the speaker at home or use earbuds, and do your best to keep voice levels at minimum and moderate levels. This allows others to enjoy the sounds found in nature. 
• Be courteous and welcoming. A simple smile, wave, nod, or greeting can create a welcoming space for everyone.

So those are the seven Leave No Trace principles in a nutshell. You may think one or two people may not make a big difference, but consider the collective damage (and collective good) we can cause year after year. These principles were developed in 1994 by a group of people that noticed how badly natural sites were being impacted by people. Leave No Trace was established as a non-profit organization focused on educating people about the seven principles and the importance of implementing these values in their outdoor adventures. You can check out leavenotrace.org you want to learn more about the Leave No Trace principles or the organization.