Talking Forest Good

While traveling through California, the e-tour got to stop at one of the premier historic sites of the conservation movement of the late 19th and early 20th century -- a campsite in Yosemite National Park where President Theodore Roosevelt, who was instrumental in the protection of many public lands and the US Forest Service, camped with John Muir, a leader of the preservationist movement and founder of the Sierra Club. The sign commemorating the spot said that President Roosevelt "talked forest good." All grammatical flaws aside, we like to think that with Leave No Trace we get to do that, too.

Let Teddy Win,

Quinn & Frank

Be Our Guest

Students sketching Lower Yosemite Falls

A Leave No Trace mindset tip from the e-tour:

Heading to a National Park, State Park, or National Forest? Don't just think of yourself as a visitor -- think of yourself as a host! Everyone who visits these incredible areas after you will enjoy your hospitality. 

Signage explaining the importance of ancestral artifacts

Think about the reasons why you like going to these places. Is it a memorable vista? A waterfall tucked into a canyon? Artifacts scattered near a trail? When you protect these items, and choose to Leave What You Find, you're setting out the red carpet for those who come after you. You're actively being the host, inviting friends, family, and friends you just haven't had the chance to make yet to experience your favorite spots. So behave appropriately, because that's what good hosts do!

Aptly placed sign at Yosemite National Park

Patrolling the Premises,

Quinn & Frank

March Situation Response

The Situation

You are car camping at a park and have read the regulations, which clearly state that there is no disposal of greywater on the ground. Unfortunately, there is no literature telling what you should do otherwise. What would you do?

What you said:

A few options...
1. Drink it. If it's a solo outing, there shouldn't be much of it anyway.
2."Pack it out." If it's car camping, then chances are I've got a container I can dedicate to holding the greywater till I leave the campground.
3. Flush it? If there are flush toilets, and it's not prohibited, is there any harm in letting the septic system sort it out?

-Nathan Hicks

Ask the ranger what to do with your greywater if you don't know what to do with it. Every park has different facilities...some might have a drum to collect it and it is hauled away like Farragut in Idaho, or a sink that goes into a sanitary sewer like some of the state parks in PA. Don't put it in the outhouse unless specifically told to do so.

-Marj Eby

The no-grey-water-on-the-ground rule means that there won't be any soap, even biodegradable, involved with the solar shower, probably no solar shower use at all. Washing dishes will require straining, and hopefully sumping, the wash and rinse water. Hopefully the park has sumps or a disposal station. Lacking that means using really damp paper towels for washing and rinsing and then sealing those up in large zip locks for the trip to the garbage can.

-Brent Baum

If you're car camping then there are probably bathrooms or pit toilets nearby. I would dispose of the water there.
If not, then I would check with local officials if possible for direction. If not possible, I would broadcast the water as widely as possible.

-Matthew Flitton

There has to be an area for human waste like a washroom facility or outhouse. Many areas will pump out waste to remove it in the situation of an outhouse I personally would dump my grey water in a place like that, thus it is not in the ground where it could harm plant life or attract unwanted animals, second option would be to strain or filter any large particles out of the grey water and could use remaining water for putting out camp fires or be dumped in a cat hole

-Tim Lane

I am assuming by "grey water" you mean the water from washing dishes, pots, pans, etc... In that case it is sumping time! Mmmmmm! Add hot water to your pots, pans, bowl, etc.... mix and stir well and then down the hatch it goes! Of course you can strain out the chunks to pack them out and then sump the liquids.

-Art Woodard

What our traveling trainers, Mark and Tara, said:

Ask the management or rangers at the park . If you have an appropriate container you can capture it and dispose of it at the dump station if the park has one. If you have strained out all particulates and set them aside for the garbage or compost, you can ask the park about flushing it down the toilet. If you cannot get an answer from the staff, do what you think is best. Leave No Trace is about how to minimize our unavoidable impacts, and the solution is not always easy to find.

To learn more about burning trash or adding food scraps to your campfire please read Skills in the April eNews.

Leave No Trace Education Near You: Where to find the Traveling Trainers in APRIL

The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers, as well as the Leave No Trace e-tour Team are conducting the following training events across the country in April. For more information about these or to attend, visit their calendars. We hope to see you on the road!

Want to host the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers for an event? REQUEST A VISIT FROM THE TRAVELING TRAINERS!


Team East April Calendar
Team West April Calendar
E-tour April Calendar


Arkansas:

• Arkansas Tech University - Russellville
• Lake Dardanelle State Park - Russellville
• Pea Ridge Outdoor School - West Fork
• Arkansas Adventure Programming Conference - Jasper
• Little Rock Regional Outreach - Little Rock

California:

• Vista High School Outdoor Club - Vista
• San Diego County Parks & Rec - San Diego
• UC - San Diego Outback Adventures - La Jolla
• Clif Bar - Emeryville
• Pomona College - Claremont
• CSU San Bernardino - San Bernardino
• San Gabriel River - Glendora
• Nature Discovery Club - Big Bear Lake
• Earth Day - Big Bear Lake
• REI Sacramento - Sacramento
• Golden Empire Council - Sacramento
• Girl Scouts Heart of Central California 100th Anniversary - Sacramento

North Dakota:

• Minot Air Force Base - Minot

Oregon:

• Fairview Elementary School - Klamath Falls
• Roosevelt Elementary - Klamath Falls
• Oregon Girl Scouts - Klamath Falls
• Grant Pass Middle School - Grants Pass
• Mt. Hood Community College - Gresham
• Wilderness First Aid Training - Portland

Pennsylvania:

• Forever Green Girl Scouts - Pine Grove
  

2012 Backyard Sessions

In the last year, the Center has initiated a new focus of incorporating Leave No Trace education into volunteer community-service projects. In 2011, Leave No Trace educators and volunteers facilitated 23 such projects resulting in almost 8000 man hours of trail work, invasive species removal, and clean-ups.

In 2012, the Center's target is 65 such "Backyard Sessions" and the Center is happy to announce that we're well on our way to hitting that goal having nearly a dozen such events already scheduled. This year so far, our hardworking volunteers and supporters have:

• Organized a clean-up of Beaver Lake near Bellvue, WA
• Coordinated with Indiana-based organizations and land mangers for a Community Day of trail/bridge work on the Low Gap Trail near Martinsville.
• Facilitated a PEAK training workshop at REI-Boulder for over 35 people.

These are just a few examples of how the Center is working to bridge the gap between traditional Leave No Trace education and "gloves and shovels" activism. To learn more or get involved, contact Education Programs Coordinator, Jason Grubb, at jason@lnt.org.

Snot Rags vs. Snot Rockets

Lakeland, FL.  This weekend we traveled to Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve to facilitate a two day Leave No Trace Trainer Course.  With the help of Michelle Thompson, Wellness Programs Manager of Florida Southern College, we hiked to a beautiful campsite with 5 other eager participants that were excited to bring Leave No Trace education back to groups they work with. Throughout the course, we learned, laughed, and listened as we explored the 7 Leave No Trace principles through games, activities, and discussions.

The Winners of Step On It- Snot Rags!

Michelle practices digging a cathole with a Sea to Summit Trowel

Leave What You Find to understand the entire puzzle

The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve is home to many interesting creatures including alligators, wild hogs, armadillos (one that wanted to sleep in a tent with Kathy and Dillon), many birds, tree frogs, and deer.  We also enjoyed learning about the native flora and vegetation from Kathy, who works for the North Port Parks and Recreation Department.

We saw lots of interesting wildlife including this fuzzy little guy

Whether you enjoy the backcountry, frontcountry, or your backyard, practicing Leave No Trace will help preserve and protect the natural world.  We challenge you to teach others about Leave No Trace and give people knowledge that will empower them to make good decisions in the out of doors and think about those who will come after us.  Thank you to Michelle, Kathy, Dillon, Dean, and Britty for an awesome course!

Congratulations Leave No Trace Trainers!

Respect the Resource... Kate and Tracy

The Sounds of (Wild) Silence

The New York Times recently wrote an article about the field of "soundscape ecology" and how the sounds of nature can be just as important as the sights. In the piece, titled "Whisper of the Wild," the author emphasized how the quiet of nature, free from the sounds of humans and their engines, may be going extinct. It followed the trail of a researcher in Denail National Park where they are attempting to capture ecological soundscapes in their purist forms.

You don't have to travel all the way to Alaska to appreciate the sounds of nature. Many people come to the outdoors to experience the sounds of nature. Whether it's a bird call, chirping crickets, or a bubbling stream, our outdoor experiences are enriched by what we hear. An important component of the seventh principle of Leave No Trace, Be Considerate to Other Visitors, is to let the sounds of nature prevail. The study in Denali also emphasizes the key role that sounds play in ecosystems for wildlife including insects, birds, and predators seeking their prey. By keeping down unnatural sounds, you can limit your audio impact. So next time you go into the woods, try and take notice of what you hear and not just what you see.

Quiet as a Tortoise (not as Loud as Your Engine),

Quinn & Frank

Your Turn Kids!

Create! Play! Win! Do you have, know or teach children between the ages of 6-12? If you do, please share this contest with them! Our corporate sponsor, Clif Bar, through Clif Kid is holding their "Backyard Game of the Year". The challenge for the kids: get outside and dream up a fun outdoor game. The prize: a 10, 000 scholarship, a Marin bicycle and Bell Helmet and a trip to San Francisco.

To the adults out there, we challenge YOU to share the Seven PEAK Principles of Leave No Trace while introducing this great contest to enter. Ask them to consider one or many of these ideas when they create their new game:

- Know Before You Go

- Choose the Right Path

- Trash Your Trash

- Leave What You Find

- Be Careful With Fire

- Respect Wildlife

- Be Kind to Other Visitors

To learn more about the "Backyard Game of the Year" and enter NOW until June 17, 2012, click here.

Recreate your recreation, start in the backyard.

Mark and Tara

Back to Winter for the Spring Solstice

Quinn on skis! At a yurt!

Arriving in Tahoe after their best snow of the season, the e-tour made its way to Hope Valley Outdoors for an event with some local elementary school children. Hope Valley Outdoors is a backcountry ski yurt that provides rentals, guiding, and school outreach. Along with Joyce, who runs the yurt, we introduced kindergartners and fifth graders to the Leave No Trace principles. We talked about Trashing Your Trash and how to protect our favorite wild places and wildlife in the winter wonderland of Tahoe. We romped around in the snow playing a frigid version of Okay/No Way where the students ran to through a foot of powder to answer questions about appropriate outdoor behavior. After we were done teaching them, these students taught us a few things about how to cross-country ski! Thanks for the trade!

As the season winds down, it's important for everyone to keep in mind Leave No Trace when adventuring in winter environments. One great resource is the new winter recreation plastic reference card from Leave No Trace. As winter transitions into spring, it's a very sensitive time for ecosystems. While a deep layer of snow creates a durable surface that protects vegetation below it, while it melts it creates muddy conditions where trails and plants are vulnerable to damage. So make sure that you are extra careful to not trample budding flowers when you head outdoors and be sure to Plan Ahead and Prepare so you know the conditions of trails before heading out!

Happy Spring,

Quinn & Frank

Leave No Trace Hot Spots Update

Earlier this year the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics selected its first Hot Spot of the year, the Fourmile Area near Buena Vista, Colorado. Near both Denver and Colorado Springs, Fourmile is one of the most heavily used areas in central Colorado and recreation-related impacts are significant and growing. Impacts at campsites such as campfire scars, tree-cutting, and expansion of denuded sites as well as excessive trash and human waste have become major issues at Fourmile. Also, areas scarred and eroded by off-trail travel are still in the process of recovery. In response to the request of local land managers and volunteers, the Fourmile Area has been designated as a 2012 Leave No Trace Hot Spot.

Located in northern Chaffee County, the 100,000-acre Fourmile Area offers ample outdoor recreation such as camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, ATV and motorcycle trails, and wildlife viewing. In partnership with the local volunteer-based Friends of Fourmile, the USDA Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and several other key stakeholders, the Leave Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics will mitigate the growing impacts there by implementing an effective Leave No Trace program.

Components of the Hot Spot include Leave No Trace training for key agency staff and volunteers, developing Fourmile-specific Leave No Trace information, hosting a Leave No Trace community-based event to raise awareness, a service/learning project to mitigate existing recreation-related damage, and providing consultation on best management practices for minimizing future impacts in the Fourmile Area.

In late April Leave No Trace Center staff will travel to Buena Vista to offer back to back workshops for local youth and for volunteers and federal agency land managers. The goal for these outreach and training sessions is to equip the community with Leave No Trace skills and ethics, as well as techniques for effectively sharing Leave No Trace with outdoor enthusiasts who spend time in Fourmile.

For more information on the Hot Spot Program or to nominate an area, visit: http://lnt.org/01_community/hotspots.php

What's In Your Campfire?

While most people familiar with Leave No Trace generally do not burn trash, those who are uninformed occasionally (or perhaps more often) burn trash in their campfire. While this seemingly innocent act may not cause seemingly significant immediate impacts, there are impacts nonetheless. As with most recreation-related impacts, damage done to the environment is cumulative over time, and in the case of campfires it leads to fire rings full of partially burned trash and food waste that are often very attractive to wildlife. This then leads to other problems. For example, wildlife can become attracted and conditioned to human food and trash and seek out these items, often to their own detriment. Although these kinds of campfire related impact occur over time, there are much more acute campfire impacts from burning trash.

In 2004 the USDA Missoula Technology and Development Center, a USDA Forest Service research facility, studied the toxins released from various kinds of trash when burned in a campfire. The researchers burned everything from plastic bags to batteries to baby diapers. Over 27 different items were burned, and both the gas emissions and ash content were analyzed. The results were scary at best. Numerous chemicals, most of which are known carcinogens, were released from the burning trash. Lead, xylene and benzene were just a few of the many toxins released from burning trash.

Interestingly enough, the study showed that even campfires that just burn wood released a significant amount of air pollutants. The addition of garbage greatly increased the pollutants and toxins released. Ash left over from a fire that contained only wood primarily consisted of nontoxic elements. However, when garbage was burned, toxic compounds in the ash were greatly increased. As a result, the researchers recommend that anyone handling campfire ash wear protective gloves. Furthermore, they recommended that all trash, regardless of what it is, be packed out and properly disposed of in a trash receptacle.


To view the full study, visit: http://air.ky.gov/SiteCollectionDocuments/WhatsBurninginYourCampfire_Article.pdf

Time to Finish What You Started

Where You Play, USA:

How many times have you seen this? The obligatory dog waste bag left 'conveniently' for you to see and the proud puppy parent to forget. Most everyone we discuss this impact with agrees that it is unsightly, stinky, unsafe, and widespread. Oddly enough, it also seems one of the easiest to eliminate. Simply take it with you. Better yet, have Fido plan ahead and pack it out himself. Getting a puppy pack also ensures that your pet has enough food and water for any outing. Check out this link through REI, which has lots of good tips for hitting the trail with your furry friends.

Recreate your recreation.

Mark and Tara

500th Event For Team East!

Tequesta, FL.  This past weekend marked a very special event for Team East.  We set up our arsenal of Leave No Trace educational materials for the 500th time!  The timing was just right for us because the event happened to fall on our favorite vessel to teach others about Leave No Trace, a trainer course.  The Leave No Trace Trainer Course utilizes a train the trainer model, so that we get to spend 16 hours with participants and equip them with the skills to teach others about land stewardship in a fun and engaging manner.  This particular course was held at the Tanah Keeta Scout Reservation. The reservation includes 640 acres along the south edge of Jonathan Dickenson State Park and the Loxahatchee River.  During the course we hiked along the beautiful 5.2 mile Mike Machek Trail.  There are 5 different ecosystems solely along the trail!

Congratulations to the seven newest Leave No Trace Trainers!  We would also like to extend  thank-you to Kelsey Couples and Harlan Pierce for their efforts in getting this course set up and their hospitality during our stay at the Tanah Keeta Scout Reservation.

Respect The Resource...Kate and Tracy

Bigfoot was here!

Have you seen the big guy around?

Between a Rock and a Coffee Pot

Climbers in Joshua Tree

On Saturday mornings in one of the premier climbing spots in the country, Park Ranger and legendary character Bernadette hosts Climbers' Coffee at Joshua Tree National Park. The e-tour had the chance to stop by this event this week and chat with avid rock climbers who had flocked to this climbing mecca over warm cups of coffee and tea. A number of these individuals were familiar with Leave No Trace, but had not yet heard about the bounty of resources available from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics regarding rock climbing. Everyone was stoked to get their hands on the brand new plastic reference card for rock climbing from the Center as well as to flip through skills and ethics books on both rock climbing and desert and canyon ecosystems. Bernadette and her fellow rangers at Joshua Tree have also just come out with a climbing guide to the park that not only highlights good climbing routes but also focuses on techniques to minimize impacts while at and around crags. We were ecstatic to flip through the guide and see information on preventing impacts around the base of climbing routes, how to dispose of waste, and features about preserving heritage sites near climbs. A huge thanks and props to Bernadette and her crew for getting out such great information!

Twentynine Palm Salute, 

Quinn & Frank

Picture of the Week 3/18/12

Santos Trailhead- Ocala, FL.

Sly as a Fox

Channel Islands National Park

As the e-tour continues to head west, we leave the "sky islands" of Southern Arizona for the Channel Islands off the coast of California. This epic series of islands, designated a National Park in 1980, hosts a variety of endemic and fascinating species. As volcanic islands isolated from the mainland, these ecosystems have evolved in such a fashion where unique plants and animals can thrive without heavy competition. One example is the island fox, a distinct fox species that only grows to 12 to 15 inches in height. Although no larger than a house cat, the island fox is the largest mammal in the island chain. Without any predators on the island, this fox has ended up quite curious.

The endemic island fox

The fox box!

Because the island fox is such a curious fellow, these animals have learned to find the campgrounds and picnic areas on the islands. Learning from experience by finding food left unattended by visitors, many of the foxes have become habituated and often directly approach humans on the islands seeking food. Some really clever foxes have even learned to nudge open tent zippers in search of food! The National Park is making a strong effort to help island foxes and visitors alike. The picnic areas and campgrounds on the islands do not have any trash cans, meaning that backcountry users and frontcountry day-visitors alike must pack out what they pack in. All the picnic tables and campsites are also equipped with food lockers to store any and all temptations through the foxes. By practicing Leave No Trace techniques regarding food repackaging, storage, and disposal, visitors to these islands can help protect one of the incredible animal species that make them such a special place!

Like a Fox on the Run,

Quinn & Frank

Signs of Spring

Kingman Wash, Arizona:

The Southwest weather is well into the swing of Spring. So are the animals. The sixth Leave No Trace Principle, 'Respect Wildlife', encourages us to avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter. With habitat loss at an all time high, interactions with wildlife are becoming increasingly frequent. Nowhere is this more apparent than in 'frontcountry' areas. Places near people and cities.

While camping only miles from the Hoover Dam which sees nearly 3000 people daily we viewed a flock of eleven bighorn sheep, including three juvenile members. Watching them graze only tens of yards from our tent, we were able to silently snap some photographs of these majestic creatures. Their numbers are slowly recovering from only a few thousand at the turn of the twentieth century, down from the millions that once roamed the Americas. We gave these bighorns the respect that they deserved to gain the calories needed to ensure their survival. We stayed quiet and still until they ventured up the steep walls of the canyon.

To learn more about how to best respect wildlife during these sensitive times navigate here.

Recreate your recreation.

Mark and Tara

Take A Peek at PEAK In Action

Tarpon Springs, FL.  Take a look at this video, shot at an elementary school in Florida earlier this week.  Kate leads a lesson on leave no trace using the PEAK Program.  PEAK- Promoting Environmental Awareness in Kids- is an interactive, engaging program designed to educate youth about responsible recreation and land stewardship.  It is clear to see how much fun PEAK can be!  For more information about PEAK, check out www.lnt.org/programs/peak  

Respect the Resource...Kate and Tracy

Fat Tire Fun in Florida!

Ocala, FL.  This weekend we had a blast at the Fat Tire Mountain Bike Festival in Ocala, FL.  This weekend long festival, hosted by the Ocala Mountain Bike Association, is in its sixth year.  The festival provides an opportunity for riders from all over the southeast to get together and enjoy the beautiful trails near the Santos Trailhead.  With over 80 miles of trail of varying level, there is fun for all levels of riders. With almost 1,000 riders pedaling the trails, it is important to consider ways to minimize potential impacts to the land, and to take on pictures and leave only tracks!

   One of the highlights of the weekend was the Free Ride Demo at the Vortex Dirt Jump area of the park.  Here riders jumped, bounced, soared, and hit the dirt through an amazing free ride course.  In addition, there were numerous bicycle companies like Trek and Specialized, offering from demos of mountain bikes throughout the weekend.

After a day on the trails, 350 people camped out for the weekend.  The campground was swarming with bikes, trikes, and unicycles.  We even saw a Fat Tire Flyer (shown above) from our friends at New Belgium Brewery, based in Fort Collins, CO. 

Of course, no festival would be complete without a visit from the Big Guy himself.  Bigfoot was super excited to try out the fun park on a bicycle, weaving and bobbing his way around the dirt.  Above, Bigfoot meets Renee Blaney, former professional mountain biker and founder of the festival.  Bigfoot challenged the kids (and the "big kids") to slow down and ride through the middle of the muddy trail, instead of around it, as to not widen the trail and trample vegetation along side the trail unnecessarily.  

Finally, at the end of the festival, one lucky winner named Sunny, was jumping for joy as she went home with a brand new North Face Daypack.  Sunny became a member of Leave No Trace over the weekend and she couldn't help but be excited about all of the fun she had at the festival, and the good feeling she has from helping to support Leave No Trace programs.  Just look at her excitement!  Thank you to The North Face for their continued support of Leave No Trace, and a special thank you to our host Robert Arrieta, for a fun week full of outreach in Ocala, FL.
Respect the Resource...Kate and Tracy

Out West with Team West

Saguaro!

What's the only thing better than one Traveling Trainer team? Two Traveling Trainer teams! This past week we met up with Mark & Tara from Team West for a few days and an event together in Tucson. With our powers combined, we capitalized on our time in the desert amid the beautiful cacti of the Southwest. One highlight of our collaborative adventures was a PEAK session at the Tucson REI where we met various community members including our Leave No Trace Arizona State Advocate Cindy! State Advocates serve a vital role in the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethic's volunteer corps and Cindy does a great job of outreach in Arizona. Whether it's getting out the word about training opportunities or connecting people with valuable Leave No Trace resources, State Advocates like Cindy make the Leave No Trace mission truly possible. Thanks Cindy!

The e-tour also had the opportunity to work with Cindy talking to Venture Scouts from the Catalina Council of the Boy Scouts while in town. These dedicated outdoorspeople pursue a variety of outdoor adventures ranging from backpacking to climbing to rafting, and it was great to have an evening program with them where we got in depth about Leave No Trace. At one point we even passed around a Go Anywhere Bag to challenge both the youth and adults to really think about Dispose of Waste Properly and whether or not to pack out human waste! It was awesome working with a group that cared so much about the desert ecosystem around them and the scarce water resources that they strove to protect!

Heading to the Ocean,

Quinn & Frank

Plan Ahead and Prepare in Mountaineering

Guest Blog by
Linden Mallory, Senior Guide RMI Expeditions

With mountaineering and climbing growing in popularity comes an added responsibility for climbers to reexamine our actions while we pursue our passion. For close to a decade the guides at RMI Expeditions worked with the Center to develop the Mountaineering Curriculum for Leave No Trace. The process was exciting, productive, and rewarding. It also provided us the opportunity to pause and reexamine our own expedition practices on mountains around the world. This introspection led to changes across all aspects of our trips and we learned that the biggest impacts come from how we approach the climb in the first place: what we do to Plan Ahead and Prepare.

RMI is currently in the midst of leading climbs of Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America. A few years ago we sat down and reassessed our entire Aconcagua Expedition. We scrutinized all the details: from when we climb, to what we eat, to what we carry. This discussion led to adjustments in our climbs’ itinerary, changes to what, how, and where we pack our gear, and a revamping of our human waste disposal strategies in order to make the process as easy as possible for our climbing teams. We also made changes to smaller details, such as bringing our own reusable bags to shop for expeditions’ supplies. After walking dozens of miles to Base Camps on Aconcagua and Everest and seeing hundreds of discarded and ripped airlines by airlines littering the trails we now provide durable (and reusable) duffel bag labels for hauling our gear.

This examination was even more intensive for our Mt. Everest Expedition. It covered our staffing, our snacks and meals, our gear choices, our loads separations, our packing, and our energy usage. We changed what gear and supplies we pack, how we organize our camps, the way we collaborate with other teams and the priorities we convey to our Nepali partners. It also led to some of the more enjoyable and adventurous experiences of my guiding career: including inspiring climbers and Sherpas to pocket litter along the route in the Western Cwm or standing on the side of the a road in Kathmandu with the staff of a small Nepali solar company as we worked out the intricacies of a highly portable, highly reliable photovoltaic system for use at over 17,000’. Two years later, we have yet to turn on a generator to provide electrical power for our Everest Expeditions.

A major hurdle in minimizing our expeditions’ impacts has been facing the less than appealing task of managing our human waste on the mountain. Most mountains, like Aconcagua, Everest, Russia’s Elbrus, or the Volcanoes in Mexico and Ecuador, have very limited, if any, infrastructure for dealing with human waste. A simple pit toilet near Base Camp is usually all that exists. As a result, human waste litters the upper slopes of the mountain. Without an infrastructure to deal with human waste even off of the mountain, we were forced to look for a simple yet effective solution. A plain doggy bag solved our problems: we outfit our expeditions with small biodegradable bags for each climber to use as needed. We collect these in larger biodegradable bags and then carry everything off of the mountain, depositing the waste in the pit toilets, or waste collection barrels if available, at Base Camp. This is easy for our climbers to do, doesn’t weigh or cost much, and isn’t filling the landfills or latrines with plastics or additional chemical additives that come with more complicated systems.


How do you apply the lessons of Plan Ahead and Prepare to your own adventures? The bottom line is that just as you research your route and estimate the number of days, also take the time research the travel conditions, the existing local infrastructure, and try to anticipate the unexpected circumstances you will encounter in the mountains.

1) Prepare your team: Do your research and involve your team in coming up with the right plan - for your schedule, in case of accidents, and how to manage your environmental impacts.

2) Plan your meals: Find meals that are nutritious, appealing at altitudes, easy and efficient to prepare, and that minimize the weight carried up and waste carried out. Reducing the packaging is a no-brainer, but if you are travelling internationally also take into account what is available to buy in-country; you can save on transportation costs and emissions as well as reduce your costs when you buy locally.

3) Plan your human waste strategy: Look into what the existing local policies and infrastructure are surrounding human waste and plan on how to meet or complement what is already in place. Consider using biodegradable doggy bags to get your waste off of the mountain in an effective manner.

4) Take Responsibility: Give your team everything you need to succeed on the climb and in their duty to do climb responsibly.

A major factor in Plan Ahead and Prepare is communication: explaining the “why” and the “how-to” of better environmental practices. Climbers do not intentionally harm the alpine zones they visit, but often ignorance of better practices or obstacles in executing them result in damage. Effectively communicating what we do and why we do it to our clientele, both before and during the climb, has greatly improved our follow through and reduced our expedition’s footprint on the landscape. We’ve found that the changes we’ve made to reduce our impact on mountain environments has led to better equipped expeditions, a more enjoyable climbing experience, and better business practices overall.

Just as you plan your climbing objective and how to achieve it, take the time to think through all of the steps, gear, logistics, and impacts that are associated with getting you there. You will be better prepared when you set foot on the mountain and more than likely discover a more enjoyable experience. We all share the mountains and have a desire to experience them, it is up to us to consider and take responsibility for how we do so.

----------------
Rainier Mountaineering, Inc (RMI Expeditions) is one of America's most reputable and long-standing guide services with over 42 years of mountain guiding experience.

All My Good Friends Call Me Wilderness

The Galiuro Wilderness

This past week the e-tour tromped, trekked, and tracked through the Galiuro Wilderness on our Leave No Trace Master Educator Course with NOLS (the National Outdoor Leadership School). This ecosystem, a "sky island" in Southern Arizona, moves from desert to alpine vegetation as it increase in elevation up to and above 7,000 feet. The Wilderness Area was designated in 1964, right after the passage of the Wilderness Act -- and it truly is wild. The trails are intense and off-trail travel is even wilder. The Master Educator Course is a truly incredible experience to learn both about the finer points of Leave No Trace as well as how to message them to others. After going through one, Master Educators form a cadre of Leave No Trace experts who can run Trainer Courses as well as practice and share techniques whenever in the outdoors.

While there, we spent a lot of time really breaking down the finer points of Leave No Trace. The awesome group we were with provided exceptional teaching including a highlight student-led presentation on Leave What You Find, where all the participants played a version of the game "Clue" where only half of us had enough clues to actually solve the mystery. It drove home the importance of preserving heritage sites so that archeologists can study and unlock the secrets of our past. We think everyone learned a ton on this course, led by some superknowledgable instructors! We're stoked to see the outreach and training from all the Leave No Trace all-stars in our crew.

Dancing through the manzanita,

Quinn & Frank

It's National Environmental Education Week!

Teach others to walk through the middle of a muddy trail, instead of around it, to avoid unnecessary erosion and trampling of vegetation along side the trial.

In an age where technology seemingly tethers people to their electronic devices more and more, connecting kids and adults to the natural world is crucial.  With spring right around the corner, this is the perfect time of year to get others excited about spending time in nature.  According to the Journal of Environmental Psychology, being outside in nature makes people feel more alive.  This week is National Environmental Education Week!  If you are in a position to get people excited about being in the natural world, we have many useful resources and activities available on the Leave No Trace website.  Whether you are a school teacher, involved in a youth-serving organization, work for a guide or outfitter service, work in a park system, or just love to share information with others- check out the website for inspiring ideas on how to teach others about Leave No Trace and respecting the outdoors where you play.
Respect the Resource...Kate and Tracy

Get out and PLAY!

San Antonio, Texas:

This past Sunday we stumbled upon Síclovía, a truly worthwhile event. Síclovía is an offshoot of Ciclovía a program originally developed in Bogatá, Columbia. City streets are closed to car traffic in order to allow the community to play and exercise in a safe, social environment. In Bogatá this practice has become so popular that over 70 miles of streets are open to these outdoor recreation festivals.

We joined families, dog walkers, bikers, runners, and strollers sharing their public space and connecting like never before. As if not awesome enough, local organizations offered free programs along the route including strong men and women challenges, yoga classes, dance lessons, live music, and all types kid friendly activities.

This is a perfect example of how a community can build a sense of ownership among its members, and nurture a blossoming love for the outdoors, especially with the youth of the population. Experiencing the out of doors in our own neighborhood will cultivate a culture of respect and love for the public spaces that need our stewardship. Get outside and PLAY!

Recreate your recreation.
Mark and Tara

Protecting the Barrier Islands

Ocean Springs, MS.  Last week we spent a few days exploring the Mississippi Gulf Coast along the Gulf Islands National Seashore.  The nation's longest National Seashore, Gulf Islands spans from Mississippi to Florida and is home to a wide variety of cultural and natural resources.  With its beautiful emerald waters and sparkling white sand beaches, the seashore sees over 4 million visitors every year.  Some of the more fascinating features of the park are the barrier islands, a chain of islands off the coast that harbor migrating birds, plant life that can endure the pounding of hurricane force winds, and numerous sea creatures, including the crowd favorite- Sea Turtles.  Two of the islands, Petit Bois and Horn Islands, are federally-designated Wilderness Areas.  As the park moves to improve their Wilderness Management Plan, we were called in to provide a full day training for the staff, as well as some local partners from MS and AL, to explore the seven principles and concepts of Leave No Trace.
We spent the day with 15 NPS staff, both from the MS Gulf and the FL Gulf, guides from South Coast Paddling, a Scout Master and Leave No Trace Master Educator, and a woman from the Mobile, AL.  All of the participants were engaged in learning about the various programs offered through the Center, the resources available, activities to learn about the seven principles, and how to effectively communicate Leave No Trace to people they interact with. The park is excited to incorporate Leave No Trace further into their Wilderness Management Plan in order to help protect and preserve the beautiful resource that is the Gulf Islands National Seashore!
Enjoy the slideshow from our day of training.

Respect the Resource...Kate and Tracy

Rock Climbing/Winter Use tags

New Rock Climbing and Winter Use Reference Cards now available

The Leave No Trace Center has released its newest skills and ethics pieces now available in our online store. The 3" x 5" reference cards, one specifically for those who are rock climbing and the other for recreation in snowy and cold environments, contain detailed Leave No Trace information adressing the concerns for these endeavors and environments.

Cryptomania!

In the Red Rock Ranger District in Sedona, the Forest Service is doing some great outreach to spread the word on Leave No Trace related issues. At many of the trailheads in the Forest there, they have this great informative sign about cryptobiotic soil up. This wild soil, which is actually alive, does a lot of the heavy lifting in the desert ecosystems of the Colorado Plateau to provide nutrients to plants in the harsh environment. If you step on crypto it can take decades to regenerate in this fragile and harsh ecosystem. So, remember to Choose the Right Path, Stay on the Trail, and DON'T BUST THE CRUST!

Gone to tiptoe 'round the crypto,

Quinn & Frank

We ALL live downstream.

Everywhere, USA:

We recently saw a great bumper sticker. "We ALL live downstream". We often teach how we have lost our connection to the natural world. This disconnect allows us to separate our actions from their consequences. Or worse yet, to not think of our consequences at all.

We were visiting McKinney Falls State Park and happened upon this picturesque cascade. In the small pool in the lower center of the photo you'll notice a perfect example of nonpoint source pollution. This is pollution that is carried by nature, gathered and transported away from the source where it originally became a contaminant. It's like having someone litter on your doorstep from miles away.

We inquired to the park manager about the gyre of debris by the falls. He stated that what we saw on this day was miniscule in comparison to the amount that would FILL the entire pool after a day of rain. Educating ourselves to have the knowledge of the consequence that may result from our action will hopefully change the way we act. The previous owners of all this litter seemingly have lost their connection to the natural world. Rekindle your connection. Educate yourself and others to Leave No Trace.

Recreate your recreation.

Mark and Tara

Education in Motion: Where to find the Traveling Trainers in MARCH

The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers, as well as the Leave No Trace e-tour Team are conducting the following training events across the country in March. For more information about these or to attend, visit their calendars. We hope to see you on the road!

Team East March Calendar
Team West March Calendar
E-tour March Calendar

Arizona:

• Catalina Boy Scout Venture Crew - Tucson
• NOLS Master Course - Galiuros Wilderness
• REI - Tucson
• Volunteer Southern Arizona - Tucson
• Miraval Resort & Spa - Tucson

California:

• Death Valley National Park - Death Valley
• Joshua Tree National Park - Twentynine Palms
• Southern Sierra Boys & Girls Club - Ridgecrest
• Costanoa - Pescadero
• School of the Arts - San Francisco

Florida:

• North Central Troop #72 - Ocala
• Madison Street Elementary School - Ocala
• Fat Tire Mountain Bike Festival - Ocala
• Brooker Creek Elementary School - Tarpon Springs
• Cub Scout Pack #407 - Palm Harbor
• Gulf Stream Council - Tequesta
• Florida Southern College - Lakeland

Nevada:

• REI - Boca Park
• Escape Adventures - Las Vegas

North Carolina:

• Franklin Public Library - Franklin
• Cartoogechaye Elementary School - Franklin
• Franklin High School - Franklin
• East Franklin Elementary - Franklin
• Union Middle School - Franklin
• April Fools Trail Days - Franklin

Texas:

• InspireU - San Antonio
• City Year - San Antonio
• City of San Antonio Natural Area - San Antonio
• Whole Earth - San Antonio
• Montessori School of San Antonio - San Antonio

Do you want the Traveling Teams to come to your town? We are currently accepting event requests online for 2012!

Leave No Trace and Wilderness Medicine

It’s late in the day and it’s been raining since breakfast. Your group is moving along the trail but at a much slower pace than you had hoped for, and the chances of making the intended campsite are not looking good. You try to motivate your group to keep moving but most of them, despite being prepared, are soaked to the bone. As you push on, you come to the final creek crossing of the day and thankfully there’s a log bridge. The first 6 members of your group safely navigate the slick bridge but the last, and strongest, member of your group makes it halfway across, slips and ends up falling into the icy water. Thankfully the creek isn’t too large but it’s swollen from the rain and is swift enough to carry her 50 feet downstream. When she finally stops in a calm section of the creek, you immediately notice that she has blood running down her face and is holding onto her arm, screaming in pain.

What now?

Clearly the well being of your injured group member is the primary concern, closely followed by the well being of the rest of the group. It is situations like these where adequate first aid and wilderness medicine training is crucial, which speaks to the first Principle of Leave No Trace – Plan Ahead and Prepare. Assuming you have the proper medical training to handle the situation, and you’re able to stabilize the patient and insure the safety and comfort of your group, it is time to think about Leave No Trace.

Over the past few years the Center has worked with its long-standing partner Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities, better known as SOLO Wilderness Medicine http://www.soloschools.com/ to create Leave No Trace guidelines for wilderness medicine. The Center realizes that in wilderness medicine situations the safety and health of all involved is the priority. However, that doesn’t mean that Leave No Trace cannot, or should not, be considered. The following guidelines are designed to help better integrate Leave No Trace into wilderness medicine.

PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE



• Being prepared with simple medical equipment, as well as obtaining proper training and establishing an emergency action plan before each trip, can both prevent medical emergencies as well as substantially decrease your impact in an emergency situation. A simple SAM splint eliminates the need to create a splint using tree limbs. The use of a wheeled litter reduces the number of rescuers needed and the associated trail widening.
• Establishing evacuation routes that consider topography, route conditions and potential resource damage can minimize associated impacts as well as make it easier on responders.

TRAVEL & CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES
• Concentrate traffic on established trails, campsites or non-vegetated areas where possible.
• Maintain an awareness of the surfaces you are traveling on and attempt to minimize your impact in sensitive areas such as riparian areas, alpine tundra, sensitive mosses and wetlands, fragile desert soils and dense vegetation.
• If you have a large group, break into smaller groups and keep all but essential personnel on durable surfaces.

DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY

• Pack it in, pack it out. Carry leak-proof bags to carry out used gauze, bandages and other materials. Bodily fluids are possible contaminants and should be carefully contained or cleaned up and packed out.


• When washing a wound, be sure to carry water at least 200 ft or 70 paces away from water sources to avoid contamination. Carry biodegradable soap.
• Any other types of human waste (e.g. vomit) that cannot be packed out should be buried 6 to 8 inches deep, 200 feet away from water sources, campsites or trails.

LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND

• Leave the site as close to its original state as possible. In an emergency situation or evacuation, Leave No Trace considerations are clearly not paramount, but even small considerations can avoid or minimize unnecessary resource impacts.

MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE IMPACTS
• When possible, use a lightweight stove to quickly and safely heat water and/or food in an emergency.
• If a fire is needed for heat, use an established fire ring, a fire pan or make a quick fire mound out of mineral soil (a pedestal of soil 18-24” in diameter, 8-10” tall).
• Choose a location that considers surrounding trees and vegetation, and local fire danger. Select an area that is large enough to accommodate your group.

RESPECT WILDLIFE

• Avoid unwanted wildlife interactions by cleaning up all emergency use sites and travel routes. Do not leave medical supplies unattended or wildlife may damage, contaminate or carry them off.
• Give wildlife plenty of space. Wildlife will generally become a problem only if it feels threatened. If a bear or mountain lion caused the injuries, keep all emergency response personnel together for safety as the animal may be close by or return.

BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHER VISITORS

• Be aware of other visitors in the vicinity and take precautions to avoid additional injuries. Bystanders may want to help, and in many cases, this may be appropriate. However, in some cases involving bystanders may only complicate an emergency. Use your judgment.

© Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics – 2009