Monday, July 13, 2009

"Leave No Trace" Principles




Plan Ahead and Prepare
+ Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
+ Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
+ Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
+ Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
+ Repackage food to minimize waste.
+ Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
+ Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
+ Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
+ Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
In popular areas:
+ Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
+ Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
+ Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
In pristine areas:
+ Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
+ Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

Dispose of Waste Properly
+ Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
+ Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
+ Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
+ To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Leave What You Find
+ Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
+ Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
+ Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
+ Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches
Minimize Campfire Impacts
+ Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
+ Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
+ Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
+ Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

Respect Wildlife
+ Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
+ Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
+ Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
+ Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
+ Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors
+ Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
+ Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
+ Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
+ Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
+ Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises
(Source: Int, for futher "Leave No Trace" Principles, visit website: Int)

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