Dear Education Department: High Altitude Camping

Dear Education Department:

I am a Wilderness volunteer and manage a forum regarding camping above treeline. My argument has been that Leave No Trace principles do not support camping in alpine environments. I am getting mixed feedback on this issue. Many people ask why they shouldn't be able to camp above treeline on dirt. Is there an official position about camping above treeline, regardless of whether the site is previously impacted? My point has been that if it's dirt in an alpine environment, then camping on it will cause further erosion of what little soil exists.

Sincerely,

Wilderness Steward

*****

Dear Wilderness Steward,

Thanks for your support of Leave No Trace. While we have never held the position that there should be no camping above treeline, we do recognize that impacts in the alpine zone can be much more significant than below treeline simply due to the nature of the environment.

Leave No Trace recommends that campers, climbers, backpackers, etc. that wish to camp above treeline do so in the least impactful way possible. In other words, recreationists should strive to stick to existing durable ground (areas devoid of vegetation, rock, gravel, snow, etc.) and limiting stays to just one night. We also recommend against campfires above treeline, as well as engaging in any recreational activity that could cause unnecessary impacts to the alpine environment. Lastly, we encourage visitors to the alpine zone to be extra mindful of their human waste and how they deal with it. Packing out human solid waste can be the most responsible option in most alpine zones.

If you’d like to discuss this issue further, please feel free to call or email. We are happy to help!

Sincerely

Leave No Trace Education Department