Submitted by: Vicki Badura
The Leave No Trace ethic is a cornerstone of BCH philosophy.
Basic principles of outdoor morality forms the framework of LNT's message:
1. Plan ahead and prepare
Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. Schedule your
trip to avoid times of high use. Visit in small groups. Split larger
parties into groups of 4-6. Repackage food to minimize waste. Use a
map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns,
or flagging.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel,
dry grasses, or snow. Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200'
from lakes and streams. Good campsites are found, not made. Altering
a site is not necessary. Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails. Avoid
places where impacts are just beginning.
3. Dispose of waste properly.
Pack it in, Pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash
or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter. Deposit
solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8' deep and at least 200' from
water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. To wash yourself or your
dishes, carry water 200' away from streams or lakes and use small amounts
of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
4. Leave what you find.
Preserve the past; examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures
and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you
find them. Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species. Do
not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
5. Minimize campfire impact.
Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight
stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light. Where fires
are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken
by hand. Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely,
then scatter cool ashes.
6. Respect wildlife.
Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach. Never feed
wild animals. Feeding can damage health, alter natural behavior, expose
them to danger from predators and parasites. Secure food by storing
rations and trash securely. Control pets at all times or leave them
at home. Avoid wildlife during sensitive times such as mating, nesting,
raising young, or during winter.
7. Be considerate of other visitors.
Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience Be
courteous. Yield to other trail users. Step on the downhill side of
the trail when encountering pack stock. Take breaks and camp away from
trails and other visitors. Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices
and noises.
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