The 7 Leave No Trace Principles

The phrase "Leave No Trace" includes seven, long established, principles that encourage people to reduce their impact when visiting the outdoors. I think of these principles from a hikers perspective but they apply to all outdoor activities, sports and terrain. Using these principles when you go out into nature will help keep the outdoors clean and beautiful. The 7 principles of Leave No Trace include:

Plan Ahead and be Prepared

Planning ahead and being prepared before going out into nature only takes a few minutes but that time is very important to a successful outing. Planning ahead can keep your group safe, reduce the risk of injuries and it can prevent the need to go off trail or leave unnecessary waste outside.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

By traveling and camping on durable surfaces, you preserve local vegetation. Trails and campgrounds are established to minimize the damage people can cause to local plants and wildlife. 

Dispose of Waste Properly

The general rule here is to carry out everything you take with you on your trip and then dispose of it properly in appropriate trash bins or at home. Absolutely no trash should be left behind.

There are also specific guidelines for when you need to “poop” outside. This is a good example of where planning ahead can make a big difference in the success of your trip. For detailed information on how to "go" outside please read this page from the Leave No Trace organization. 

Leave what you Find

The concept of leaving what you find relates to not taking things out of their natural habitat or by destroying or taking something so it can't be enjoyed by others. There is a nice phrase that captures this concept that you sometimes see on signs or stickers. It goes, leave only footprints, take only pictures. 

Minimize Campfire Impact

The fifth principle is to minimize campfire impact, in many areas above certain elevations or where the climate is prone to wildfires, campfires may not be allowed. Where they are allowed you should make sure not to make a new fire pit if there is already an existing one, and minimize the impact if you do have to make one. Never assume you can make a fire. Always check with a ranger station prior to heading out into the wilderness and making a fire.

Respect Wildlife 

Respecting wildlife seems obvious, but many people think it’s OK if they get close for a photo or even worse, a selfie. People can damage the habitats of small animals and they can put themselves and others at risk from larger ones. I have come across all types of wildlife in my adventures including many bears. You never know what you may encounter and it is best to always keep a safe distance.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

The last principle is to be considerate of other visitors. This means not disturbing or destroying the natural environment by doing things such as carving on trees or leaving trash, so others can enjoy it as nature intended. 

This also means eliminating any excess noise you may make along with excess technology or anything that may be obstructive to others. While you may love your music playlist and want to blast it when you are hiking or camping, others will find it disturbing and disrespectful to their goals for going out into nature. If you must bring music, please wear headphones that allow you to also hear the area around you for your safety. I was once hiking with friends and we saw a large rattlesnake on the trail. We carefully avoided it and warned a few hikers coming down and around a blind switchback. Then a runner came down and we tried to warn him, but he could not hear us. He ran right over the snake without looking down and missed it by an inch. He never knew how close to danger he was because he had his music so loud he could not hear us or the snake.

Leave No Trace is a copyright of the Leave No Trace organization. This organization has an excellent YouTube channel for detailed information. Check out their video summarizing the Leave No Trace 7 Principles for a quick review.