LEAVE NO TRACE

" The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace provide an easily understood framework of minimum impact practices for anyone visiting the outdoors. The Principles can be applied anywhere — from remote wilderness areas, to local parks and even in your backyard. Each Principle covers a specific topic and provides detailed information to empower you to minimize your impacts. "

1. Plan ahead and prepare for your trip : check the are you are planning to hikes. Regulations. Special Concerns. Always check weather forecast and hazards. Visit in smaller groups. Use map, trail apps online and possible offline. Plan your meals. Package them in reusable packaging. If you plan to cook in the wild always check regulation on fire usage.

2. Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces: The goal of travel outdoors is to move through natural areas while avoiding damage to the land, foliage, or waterways. If you decide to camp the rule is to camp 200m away from lakes and streams. Good campsites are found not made. Keep campsites small and camp where the vegetation is absent. Keep travel on trails reduces the likelihood that will develop multiple trails and scar the landscape.

3. Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack it in, pack it out. Leftover food, trash, packaging, everything needs to be collected. burning trash is not recommended. Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6-8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. Bury the toilet paper in the hole as well. To wash yourself carry water from the river, have a biodegredable soap and wash yourself away from the source. Urine has little direct effect on vegetation or soil. Diluting urine with water from a water bottle can help minimize adverse effects.

4. Leave What You Find: If you find something from the past, like historic structures observe them but don't touch them. leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you found them. Do not move or transport non- native species. You can do that by cleaning your boots and gears well after each hike. Do not build structures made out of natural objects. Avoid touching harming trees like carving them, hammering things into them. Picking a few flowers has no big impact. Keep it just a few.

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts: Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light. Keep fire small and don't break sticks for it from trees. Find them on the ground. Burn all fire to ask and out the fire out properly otherwise its dangerous and can cause wood fire.

6. Respect Wildlife: Only observe wild life from distance. Don't follow and approach them. Never feed them. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. If you decide to bring your dog or other pets on a hike control them. When see wildlife give them plenty of space. Always store your food that wildlife can't get to them. Human food is not good for wildlife and it harms them.

7. Be considerate of others : Maintain curtesy of others. It really helps everyone to enjoy nature. Music blasting, uncontrolled pets. Give space to other hikers. Greet them. Some might respond some might not. Being kind is a gift. Respect others and their protect their quality of experience on the trail. Just like you would your own.

Source : lot.org