When adventuring in the outdoors, like backpacking, even the smallest changes in our behavior can make a significant impact in nature. That’s why many have implemented the principles of “leave no trace,” which is a practical philosophy that has helped many to be more mindful of their actions. The basic idea is to leave things how you found them and minimize your impact on places of outdoor recreation.
Here’s everything you need to know about leave no trace principles
Plan ahead, prepare, and camp on durable surfaces
The very first principle of leave no trace is to plan ahead and prepare. The best way to check off both of these boxes is to plan out your route, whether it’s a trail run, day hike, or multi-day backpacking trip and bring the emergency essentials.
There are plenty of online resources and GPS apps (such as Gaia and AllTrails) that work well. But a proper paper map is also a great item to bring along on your trip. Cell phones can die, get wet and shut off, or lose service, meaning your online map might not be accessible. Take some time to learn the basics of navigating with a map and compass to avoid getting lost.
If you’re off-trail, it means you’re treading on natural plants and shrubs and degrading wildlife habitat, so stay on designated trails and only camp in designated areas. These could be official campsites or noticing signs where others have camped before. Look for fire pits, cleared platforms, and appropriate signage to indicate whether or not you should camp there.
Properly dispose of all waste
The next principle of leave no trace is the disposal of all waste. That includes any trash and also any human waste you might leave behind. Being careless about this principle could mean the pollution of valuable water resources, the spreading of disease, and other issues. If there are no public toilets or outhouses available, and only if the area you’re recreating in permits it, bury human waste in a cat hole. Use a trowel to dig a 6-8 inch hole so that no human or animal will accidentally discover what you’ve left behind.
Some areas are more strict than others about this, so make sure you check the rules before you go. For example, Mount Everest is one of the most famous areas that have implemented a waste-bagging policy. Just like you would for your dog, you’ll have to pack out your solid and liquid waste in a portable bag and throw it out when you get home.
Leave what you find
We’ve all found a cool rock, leaf, or shell on an adventure and thought to bring it with us. It might seem harmless to take something as a souvenir, but resist the temptation. Every rock, plant, or piece of fallen wood plays a role in the local ecosystem. Removing items can disrupt habitats, nutrient cycles, or the growth of vegetation. Your best bet is to capture these sights in another way.
Outdoor photography is a great creative outlet and a way to remember the little details of a trip. If you don’t feel like your photos turn out that well, check out our tips for taking better outdoor photos. Another great option is to sketch or write about what you find.
Minimize campfire impact
One of the easiest ways to minimize campfire impact is to cook with a top-notch camping stove instead of starting a campfire. Some recreational areas don’t allow campfires, especially during the drier seasons. But if you are allowed to and absolutely need to cook with a campfire, make sure you use established fire rings whenever possible so you don’t leave lasting scars on the ground and surrounding vegetation.
Keep fires small and only use sticks and branches found on the ground. Make sure that all wood is burned completely to ash before extinguishing the fire, and stir to coals to ensure thorough burning and reduce residual debris. Finally, extinguish your fire completely. Drown the fire with water, not soil, and stir the ashes until they are cold to the touch. If you feel any warmth, the fire is not fully out.
Respect wildlife
It’s important to remember that when we venture outside we’re going into the animal’s habitat and we should try to disturb them as little as possible. Binoculars for birding and backpacking are one great option to help enjoy nature from a distance.
Another consideration is recreating in bear country. Bears will actually be put down if they become too dangerous to humans. The easiest way for this to happen is for bears to become comfortable around people. You should never feed bears and you need to take extra precautions when traveling through bear country.
Bears have a tremendous sense of smell and if they begin to associate mealtime with campsites, that’s trouble. One way to do that when backpacking is to hang a bear bag or use a bear vault to store food. This will keep your food away from bears and help prevent these associations.
Ultimately, leaving no trace means being considerate
The last principle is to be considerate. Be respectful of sacred sites and places with inherent meaning to other cultures. Understand that the outdoors are for everyone no matter their race, gender, age, or economic status. And generally, be courteous. Keep your dog on a leash so they don’t disturb others, and don’t bring them at all if they are not allowed. Consider playing your music through headphones as opposed to blasting it through a Bluetooth speaker.
With these principles, you’ll be well on your way to doing your part for our recreational spaces.
