Leave No Trace
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Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace - Outdoor Skills & Ethics
A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity,
stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.
- Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac (1949)
Forester and philosopher Aldo Leopold expressed this sentiment years ago.
Today increasing numbers of backcountry visitors are coming to the same realization
as they witness their favorite outdoor places being loved to death by recreationists
seeking adventure and solitude.
This guide is part of a national educational program called Leave No Trace,
whose mission is to educate wildland user groups, federal agencies and the
public about minimum-impact camping. Leave No Trace principles apply whether
you are planning a trip to your favorite lakeside campground or a remote wilderness
trip off the trails.
Principles of Leave No Trace
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Carefully designing your trip to match your expectations and outdoor skill
level is the first step to being prepared. Contact a local ranger district
to check on current conditions, restrictions and popularity of your intended
destination.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Wherever you travel and camp, confine your use to surfaces that are resistant
to impact - including trails, established campsites and common well-traveled
areas.
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In popular or high-use areas, concentrate use.
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Hike on existing trails.
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Choose a durable campsite and minimize impact at
the site.
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Respect other visitor’s
desire for solitude.
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In remote areas, spread
use.
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Travel in small groups, avoiding fragile vegetation.
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Hike on impact-resistant
surfaces such as rock, snow, gravel, and sand.
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Restore
pristine sites to prevent long-term impact.
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Avoid places where impact
is just beginning.
Dispose of Waste Properly
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Reduce litter at the source by repackaging food.
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Pack out all trash garbage,
including food scraps.
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Dispose of human waste
in catholes, 6-8" deep, 200 feet from water,
trails & camp.
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Use toilet paper sparingly and pack it out whenever possible.
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Disperse waste
water from cooking and washing 200 feet from water, trails & camp.
Leave What You Find
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Minimize site alterations.
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Avoid damaging live trees and plants.
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Leave natural objects and cultural artifacts.
Minimize Campfire Impacts
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Know regulations and weather concerns.
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Use designated fire rings in developed
sites and high-use areas.
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Select firewood
that is wrist size or smaller, burning completely.
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Consider
fire pans and mound fires when building fires in remote areas.
Respect Wildlife
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Observe wildlife from a distance. Use binoculars and telephoto lens for
better views.
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Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters
natural behaviors and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
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Protect wildlife
and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
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Control
pets at all times, or leave them at home.
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Avoid wildlife during sensitive
times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
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Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
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Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
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Step to the downhill
side of trail when encountering pack stock.
For More Leave No Trace Information and Materials
For educational, master course, materials, partnership, and National Outdoor
Leadership School information, visit the National
Leave No Trace website. ![link leaves this site](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512055832im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/local-resources/images/external.gif)
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