Have you taken the Leave No Trace Pledge? A new way to show that you care! Hike on over …

The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace

11. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  • Knowing the rules, access rights, restrictions in effect, and specifics of the site.
  • Preparing for bad weather, natural hazards and other emergencies.
  • Planning trips during low-traffic periods.
  • Exploring less frequented areas. Dividing large groups and go out in smaller groups of 4 to 6 people.
  • Bringing a compass and an up-to-date map.
  • Repackaging food in reusable containers to minimize waste.

22. Travel And Camp On Durable Surfaces
  • Travel and camp on existing trails and campsites.
  • For off-trail travel, stay on durable surfaces: bare ground, rock, sand, dry grass, deep snow.
  • Avoid altering a site to camp: a good site is found, not made.
  • Protect shorelines by camping more than 60 m from lakes and streams.
  • In frequented areas:
    • Use designated trails and campsites.
    • Walk in single file down the middle of the trail, even if it is muddy or wet.
    • Limit the camping area. Concentrate your activities on areas without vegetation.
  • In pristine, remote or isolated areas:
    • Disperse its impact so as not to create new trails or campsites.
    • Avoid damaging surfaces that have suffered little or no impact.

Photo by: Out and Across

33. Dispose Of Waste Properly
  • Bringing back waste that was carried in. Separating regular waste from hazardous waste. Burning waste in a campfire is not an acceptable solution.
  • Thoroughly inspecting picnic areas and campsites for trash, food scraps, cigarette butts and other micro-waste.
  • Depositing human feces in a hole dug more than 60 m (or about 70 adult footsteps) from water sources, trails and campsites. Digging the sanitary hole in organic soil 15 to 20 cm deep and digging and camouflaging after each use.
  • Packing-out the toilet paper or put it in the sanitary hole.
  • Bathing and washing dishes more than 60 m away from waterways. Using a minimum amount of biodegradable soap.
  • Spreading soiled water in large streams through vegetation.
  • Filtering food debris through a sieve and placing it with the waste to be packed-out before spreading the dishwater.

44. Leave What You Find
  • Preserving heritage: avoid moving or destroying traditional, historical and cultural elements and sites.
  • Leaving stones, plants and all other natural objects in their original place and condition.
  • Avoid building structures, constructing furniture or digging trenches.
  • Preventing the spread of exotic invasive species by removing mud and debris from shoes, clothing and equipment.

55. Minimize Campfire Impacts
  • Campfires can cause lasting impacts: opting for cooking on a portable stove is a good solution.
  • Placing barbecues, fire boxes and portable stoves on durable surfaces.
  • Protecting soil and roots from burning.
  • If open fires are allowed, using designated locations. Keeping fires small.
  • If wood collection is allowed, burning only dead wood that is collected from the ground and can be broken up by hand.
  • Allowing pieces of wood and embers to reduce to ash. Completely extinguishing fires and check that ashes are cool before leaving the area.

66. Respect Wildlife
  • Leaving the field clear for the animals and observing them from a distance.
  • Moving away at the first sign of nervousness or change in behavior.
  • Refraining from feeding animals to avoid harming their health, altering their behavior, or exposing them to predators or other hazards.
  • Storing food, garbage and other odorous products in a bear-proof barrel, in facilities provided on site, or in car trunks.
  • Avoid disturbing animals during sensitive breeding, nesting and calf rearing periods, or during winter.
  • Keeping control of a pet or leave it safely at home. Picking up after our dog or burying it in a sanitary hole.

77. Be Considerate of Others
  • Acting with courtesy. On a narrow trail, give way to uphill hikers.
  • Pulling over along the trail to give priority to people with mobility aids.
  • Taking breaks on durable surfaces off the trail.
  • Giving freedom for the sounds of nature to be heard. Avoid excessive noise. Wearing headphones if using electronic devices.
  • Limiting the use of drones to areas where they are permitted and following the rules.
  • On social networks, posting photos that demonstrate behavior to better protect natural environments.

© 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.

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