Table of Contents
Introduction
Leave No Trace
Camping is the best part of life. To wake up with birdsong, mountain wind in your veins, or to sleep under the cover of an open sky is nothing short of magic. But even with all our love for nature, it is our responsibility to leave it as it is. And that is where Leave No Trace enters the scene. It isn’t law—but spirit, a code of the wild to preserve the great out-of-doors for all of us to live in and enjoy forever.
Step by step along the path of this book, I will guide you through all of the backwoods camping knowledge you will ever desire or require. You’re a backwoods camper or a backwoods camper newbie – either way, you will be learning these secrets and can leave light. And in the do-it-myself-friend-to-a-place-like-thinks-that-chapeau sort of teaching, a little bit of do-it-yourself tips and my discoveries along the way. Now sit back with coffee or tea, and let’s begin!
I Don’t Get It. What Is “Leave No Trace”?
Alright, alright, let’s go, or rather, let me phrase it this way: what is “Leave No Trace” (LNT)? LNT is merely being a good caretaker of the great outdoors and keeping it with you in as good condition as you take it when you depart—better, if possible. It is merely being mindful of what you’re doing and the impact you’re having on the world at large.
Here’s what you can do:
You don’t leave your trash on your friend’s floor or sign their couch with your surname if you are a visitor. The friend’s place is nature’s property—world common ground to which one is in debt of courtesy. You are demonstrating your respect for beauty and for world services by being in LNT manners.
The 7 Leave No Trace Principles
Seven universal principles to aid outdoor recreationists were outlined by the Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics. These aren’t laws, per se, but rather a collection of standards for making educated decisions outdoors. Take them individually:
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Not-so-obviously enough, there should be a clear plan that governs an ecologically friendly campout. Planning ahead of time is likely to minimise or altogether eliminate thoughtless choices made about the use and management of camp facilities that harm the surroundings.
- Familiarise yourself with the destination: Learn about the area’s laws and regulations. Campfires, waste disposal, or wildlife interaction may have rules.
- Pack accordingly: Bring reusable bags, biodegradable soap, and a pack for removing trash. Don’t ever leave home without a map and compass to not get lost and harm sensitive plants.
- Observe weather: Cloudburst will see some shady decisions being made, e.g., snapping new limbs for shelter.
Personal experience: I never looked at the weather forecast for my very first solo camp. It suddenly rained, and I could not open my tent; I pulled out some of the tent flowers. Lesson learnt—plan ahead!
Camp and Travel on Durable Surfaces
Where and how you camp does matter. Camping on durable surfaces such as trails, rocks, gravel, or dry grass has no effect on sensitive conditions.
- Stay on trail: Shortcutting is excellent fun, but remaining off trail will strip and wear down vegetation.
- Camping in campsites: In the remote chance you end up at an overused facility as a last resort, camp within established campsites so you do not create extra impact areas.
- Space out in the woods: Out in the boondocks, space out your party so as to leave as little impact as possible. Just remain at least 200 feet from creeks.
Proper Garbage Disposal
This is a doozy. No sooner do they get here than nothing will defile nature’s beauty so much as trash or human crap behind.
- Pack it in, pack it out: Pack out what you pack in with a sturdy sack. Even biodegradable litter such as banana peels—those will still be in the ground a long, long time longer than you ever thought.
- Human waste: In the absence of a toilet, dig a cathole 6-8 inches deep at least 200 feet from streams and lakes. Bury well when finished. Pack out toilet paper in a tightly wrapped package.
- Wastewater: On hand washing or dishwashing, or greywater dispersion at least 200 feet away from lakes and streams. Use sparingly biodegradable soap.
Tip: I always set out with a little trowel in my daypack just in case we need to dig catholes and a roll of toilet paper tube with a flap you can seal closed. Gross, but pay the extra couple of dollars, so when you come into the wilderness, the same way you leave it is the same way you begin.
Take Nothing from the Land
It is just instinct to want to grab something as a souvenir of your trip, but don’t. Don’t handle the plants, the rocks, and the relics.
- Don’t touch plants or pluck flowers: They are part of the food web, and they eat animals.
- Don’t graffiti or sign trees: Yes, even if it’s a promise of your eternal love for someone. Leave them alone.
- Carry cultural and historical artefacts: They’re yours to carry with you, not yours to own. They’re for history and for all.
Minimize Campfire Footprint
Campfires are theme camping but can become dust if not handled well.
- Employ a camp stove: They use less fuel and are leave-no-trace.
- If fire is needed: Generally, use available fire rings, have a small fire, and burn on the ground. Don’t notch standing trees.
- Burn to ash: Extinguish the fire when you go away. Scatter cold ashes.
Story time: I observed a group of people dousing a smouldering fire at night. It had smouldered during the morning and could have burnt a forest. Douse the fire each time.
Treat Wildlife with Kindness
Wildlife is great, and you simply need to let them be great.
- Be a voyeur at arm’s length: Watch them at arm’s length with binoculars or a telephoto lens.
- Don’t feed wildlife: Wildlife do not digest people food and will habituate humans to wildlife.
- Store food securely: A bear canister or hanging it off the tree keeps wildlife from making your camp their home.
Be Considerate to Other Travelers
Leave no trace entails being considerate of another human’s nature experience.
- Be less noisy: Nature sound should also have some room.
- Pass it down for others along the trail: Upward traveller yields.
- Respect privacy: Give other people space so that you can enjoy their nature experience.
Eco-Friendly Camp Site Bonus Tips
In addition to the seven principles, the following are the bonus tips for leaving a light footprint:
- Be green with gear: Use solar energy, recharge batteries, and renewable material gear.
- Leave it in better condition than you arrived: Clean up after any trash you notice, but not yours.
- Share with others: Educate other campers. The more, the merrier.
Why Leave No Trace Matters
You’re probably wondering, “So what’s the big deal if I don’t sweep up a piece of candy trash on the ground or jump over a cathole?” Yeah, big deal. Little things count. If everyone who comes to camp leaves something behind or steps on a plant, the great outdoors won’t be so great.
By leaving nothing behind, not only are you a good deed to the world, but you’re leaving a legacy. You’re giving the next generation a chance to be able to have the same freedom to enjoy the same beautiful vistas, peaceful forests, and shining lakes we do today.
Conclusion: Leave No Trace, Leave a Legacy
Something that we can do that will put us back in the saddle and back on our batteries is a camping trip. Such freedom, however, does not come cheap. When you are of the Leave No Trace variety, however, you can enjoy your fun in the woods without the next guy regretting his time off spent hanging around.
And don’t forget, it’s not perfection that we’re going for—attention. Everything and anything count. So if you go camping the second time, pack these words with you. Pack nothing but evidence of thoughtfulness and a sense of respect for the planet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What if I am not able to find an official campsite?
On the trail, look for hard surfaces of gravel or rock. Try not to travel through brush where you can, and stay 200 feet away from streams and lakes.
- Is trash okay to burn in a campfire?
No. Trash burning emits poisonous chemicals and leaves non-biodegradable waste. Do not burn trash.
- Can I bury food scraps?
It’s always best to pack out all food trash. Food trash buried will attract wildlife and take years to decay.
- What if I see someone who is not doing no tracing?
Politely remind them. People are not thoughtless – they just don’t know any better.
- How do I do the dishes so they won’t hurt the planet?
Use low-biodegradable soap and release wastewater 200 feet away from the water sources.
- Aren’t campfires gross?
No, not really, but only in the worst-case scenarios and cautiously. Never abandon them in dry or hazardous soil.
- Where do I store food to deter wildlife?
Store it in a bear-proof container, or 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet away from the tree trunk.
- Can I take my dog camping?
Yes, but leashing and disposing of or burning offal. Considerate of other humans and animals as well.
- If I have to go and there is no bathroom?
Bury cathole 6-8 inches deep at least 200 feet away from water. Keep toilet paper in a package.
- How can I make my camping gear more eco-friendly?
Use gear made of renewable materials, don’t use disposables, and fix gear instead of replacing it.
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By following these guidelines, you’ll not only have an amazing camping experience but also contribute to the preservation of our planet’s natural beauty. Happy camping, and remember—leave no trace!
