Hiking 101: Leave no Trace
Washington is a hub for people who enjoy being outside - from hiking to climbing, backpacking to rafting, people around here love to spend time in nature. It’s important for everyone to feel that the outdoors is a space where they are welcome to learn and engage and live. While people are not new to our natural areas, we’ve built up urban areas and separated ourselves from the environment - which means that nature is now a place that we go to, visit, and are a guest in. We remember this when we talk about how to hike safely, and when it comes to interactions with wildlife. But we also need to remember this when it comes to the mark we leave on the spaces we enter. That’s why there are the Leave No Trace principles.
Leave No Trace was started as a guiding set of rules for when in the backcountry, but it has since evolved to be applicable in all recreational activities. Leave No Trace provides a series of rules to follow to be sure that when you are outdoors, you don’t cause any harm or destruction. Much how you are expected to behave and clean up after yourself at a friend’s house or a public space, you shouldn’t leave a mess in nature.
There are seven guiding Principles of Leave No Trace. These are fluid principles that are updated over time based on new discoveries in science and social norms by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. But the core of each stays the same, and they remain as important as they were 50 years ago.
The principles are as follows:
Plan Ahead & Prepare - Think back to how you prepare for a hike (or take a look at our article Hiking 101: The First Steps). A lot of planning goes into deciding what to bring on a trip, whether it be for rafting or backpacking or a stroll in the woods. When you bring everything you need, you don’t have to use up limited natural resources and degrade the environment. Planning carefully means that you can avoid damaging your environment, putting yourself and others at risk, and minimize the likelihood of wildlife interactions.
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces - You’ve probably seen the signs: “Stay on trail.” These aren’t here just for show. And yes, sometimes bushwhacking and finding your own way can be fun. But this goes back not only to planning ahead (don’t go create a new trail and then get lost and need rescuing) but also to how you treat the environment. Trails are there for a reason - not just so you don’t get lost, but so that we minimize the impact on nature. If everyone made their own trail, we would trample vegetation, cause soil compaction (preventing air flow in soil and compressing roots), intrude on untouched spaces, and bother more wildlife. While yes, trails are also an impact on nature, they help consolidate the traffic of people and minimize our overall impacts. Sometimes trails can be crowded, or might not seem like the more direct or fun route, but there’s a purpose and method to their creation. And if you don’t want to stay on trails to help preserve plants, at least do it for crews that volunteer their time, energy, and sweat to keep them functional and fun!
Dispose of Waste Properly - The nice part about urban areas is that there are recycling bins and trash containers around. In nature, there is nothing to throw your trash away in - except your own backpack! Plastic takes decades to break down, and even then, it’s only into smaller pieces, so when you throw a wrapper or water bottle away, it stays for a long time and then the particles get into the ecosystem, damaging soil, plants, and wildlife. Same for other items, such as aluminum and even paper! It’s also not uncommon to see food left around on trails, because “it will decompose”. Decomposition is a process, it’s not as straightforward as you might thing. Leaving your banana or orange peel out doesn’t mean it will be gone within a week. It takes time, and in the meanwhile, everyone else has to look at it. The more people leave their “compost” out, the more there will be, as well. This could also lead to wildlife being drawn towards trails more, looking for food and inevitably leading to conflicts.
Waste also refers to - you guessed it - our own body waste. Many trails have bathrooms at the trailhead, which you should always use to be on the safe side. If you have to go while on the trail, though, there are plenty of guidelines out there to make sure that your bodily fluids and solids leave the most minimal of impacts. There are lots of things to consider - how far from the trail you go, how deep to bury, distance from water, etc. So do your research beforehand, and bring supplies like poop shovels and kula cloths to make the experience more efficient and less impactful.
Leave What You Find - It’s possible you’ve heard the phrase “Take only pictures, leave only footprints”. What this means is that we don’t take things that are found in nature. I know you might think “oh, it’s only one rock” but if everyone thinks that way, and everyone takes a rock, or a flower, or whatever, then that number reaches dozens, hundreds, maybe thousands. Rocks in streams, shells on beaches, flowers on bushes, all play an important role in the ecosystem, no matter how small. If something is beautiful, take only memories or pictures, so that future visitors can enjoy it too.
You should also leave the environment as it is, in that you don’t make any permanent changes, such as digging a trench, building forts out of logs, or creating fire pits. You are encouraged to take these down as you see them, to restore the space as much as you can. With that being said, legally constructed facilities should be left alone, so that you don’t do any more damage by destroying it.
Minimize Campfire Impact - This is a tough subject, especially as we’re in the middle of wildfire season. Overall - campfires can lead to wildfires, damage neighboring plants, and cause soil compaction (from footprints, creating campfire rings, etc), among others. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ever build a campfire, of course! In fact, a nice warm fire after a hike or on a hilltop can be a great way to end the day. But there are ways that you can be safe and respectful. Follow burn bans, for instance, and use fire rings that have already been created. Only build fires in areas with little underbrush and open spaces. And, as always, be sure to put the fire completely out before leaving. Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics also has guidelines for how to minimize impacts and determine if and how to build a fire in the best way.
Respect Wildlife - Whatever your relationship with nature, you must remember that you are a guest in the home of wildlife. From a mountain beaver to a bear, from a rabbit to a deer, from a brown creeper to an osprey, all wildlife should be respected. Never get too close to an animal, and learn to observe quietly and from a distance. Store food safely when staying overnight, and be aware of what wildlife may be spotted in your area. You should also avoid feeding any and all animals - no matter how badly you want to feel like a magical princess (we’ve all been there). For more guidelines about how to have healthy and safe wildlife interactions, check out our article Hiking 101: Wildlife Interactions
Be Considerate of Other Visitors - All other rules can relate to this one, but it’s important enough to have it’s own Principle. Everyone has a right to enjoy nature, it doesn’t belong to just a few people. And there is no one “right way” to spend time outdoors. Whatever way you enjoy nature, make sure that you don’t intrude on someone else’s right to enjoy as well. Maybe you experience nature best by listening to music, or maybe you spend time on trails to exercise your dog or child. Maybe nature is for reading, running, hosting classes, or simply going for a walk. No way is the only way, but you can still be respectful of others. Use headphones, leash your pets, and know the rules of sharing the trail. Above all, have a great time outdoors, and do your best to allow other people to, as well.
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics has tons of great resources, information, and history beyond the 7 Principles. If you have questions, want to partner with them, or are interested in learning more about threats and solutions to environmental impacts, check them out!