Prepare for Safety!
Now that you’ve chosen your perfect destination and planned your adventure itinerary, it’s time to focus on ensuring your outdoor experience is both safe and enjoyable. Proper preparation is key to making the most of your adventure while minimizing risks and potential setbacks.
Environmental Awareness and Leave No Trace Principles
Being environmentally conscious is crucial when embarking on any outdoor adventure. By adhering to Leave No Trace principles, we can preserve the natural beauty of our surroundings for future generations to enjoy.
The Seven Leave No Trace Principles
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Let’s dive deeper into each of these principles and how you can apply them during your outdoor adventure:
Plan Ahead and Prepare
This principle involves thorough research and planning before your trip. By doing so, you can minimize the impact on the environment and ensure a safer, more enjoyable experience.
- Research the area you’ll be visiting, including local regulations and any special concerns
- Plan your meals carefully to avoid excess packaging and food waste
- Repackage food into reusable containers to minimize trash
- Bring appropriate gear for the conditions you’ll encounter
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
This principle aims to minimize the impact of your presence on the land.
- Stick to established trails and campsites whenever possible
- In pristine areas, spread out to prevent creating new trails
- Camp at least 200 feet away from water sources
- Avoid trampling vegetation, especially in alpine areas
Dispose of Waste Properly
Proper waste disposal is crucial for maintaining the health of ecosystems and preserving the outdoor experience for others.
- Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter
- Use established bathroom facilities when available
- If facilities are not available, dig a cathole 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water sources
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products
Leave What You Find
This principle encourages us to leave nature as we found it, allowing others to experience the same sense of discovery.
- Preserve the past: observe, 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
While campfires can be a cherished part of the outdoor experience, they can also cause lasting impacts on the environment.
- Use a lightweight stove for cooking instead of a fire
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings or fire pans
- Keep fires small and burn only small 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
Observing wildlife in their natural habitat can be a highlight of any outdoor adventure, but it’s important to do so responsibly.
- Observe wildlife from a distance; do not follow or approach them
- Never feed animals, as it 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
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
This principle reminds us that we share these outdoor spaces with others who are also seeking to enjoy nature.
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience
- Be courteous and yield to other users on the trail
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors
- Let nature’s sounds prevail; avoid loud voices and noises
By following these Leave No Trace principles, you not only minimize your impact on the environment but also set a positive example for other outdoor enthusiasts. Remember, the goal is to leave the area in the same or better condition than you found it, ensuring future generations can enjoy the same natural beauty and outdoor experiences.