Leave No Trace: A Practical Guide

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Most LNT violations happen due to lack of preparation. Research regulations, fire restrictions, permit requirements, and seasonal closures before your trip. Know the weather forecast. Carry appropriate navigation. A hiker who's unprepared makes poor decisions under pressure — straying off trail, building fires in closed areas, or camping in prohibited zones. Preparation is the foundation of low-impact travel.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Stay on established trails — don't shortcut switchbacks, which causes erosion and trail widening. Camp on existing sites or durable surfaces like rock, sand, or dry grass. The alpine meadows that look lush and soft recover from a single night of trampling only after years. Spread impact: if camping on a pristine surface, move your tent each night. Group campsites at popular sites should be concentrated; disperse camping in pristine areas.

Dispose of Waste Properly

Pack out all trash, food scraps, and litter — including fruit peels, which can take years to decompose in alpine environments and attract animals. Human waste: in the backcountry, dig a cathole 6-8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, trails, and camp. Use a lightweight trowel. Pack out toilet paper — don't bury it. In high-traffic areas or above treeline, pack out solid waste using a WAG bag or similar system.

• Carry a trowel for waste disposal (Sea to Summit Pocket Trowel weighs 0.7oz)
• Pack out all toilet paper in a sealed bag
• 200 feet minimum from water sources for waste disposal
• Use biodegradable soap and dispose of washwater 200 feet from water
• Pack out all food waste — even biodegradables

Leave What You Find

Rocks, plants, archaeological artifacts, and natural objects all have roles in their ecosystem. Resist taking souvenirs. Don't build cairns or rock arrangements — they confuse navigation and damage soil ecology. Don't pick wildflowers. Don't carve initials into trees. The principle: leave a place exactly as you found it, or better.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

Campfires have a significant impact: they consume wood, leave long-lasting fire rings, create ash, and in dry conditions pose serious wildfire risk. Use a camp stove for cooking. If you build a fire, use an existing fire ring, keep it small, use only dead and downed wood, and burn all wood to ash. In many wilderness areas and during dry seasons, fires are restricted or prohibited — always check before starting one.

Respect Wildlife and Other Visitors

Observe wildlife from a distance — don't approach, feed, or follow animals. Store food properly to avoid habituating bears and other wildlife to human food. Yield to uphill hikers and pack animals. Keep noise levels respectful, particularly in quiet backcountry zones. The wilderness provides a space for people to experience solitude and nature — don't undermine that for other visitors.