After hyping it up for almost two months, my partner, Conrad, and I all set out with a group of our friends for a backpacking trip through southern Utah's Canyonlands National Park! We were all stoked to have a break from the snow (northern Utah got SLAMMED this winter) and get back to that beckoning red rock desert. We settled on President's Day weekend. With a six hour drive each way, a three-day weekend would give us just enough time to get there and back while having adequate time to relax and actually enjoy our time on the trail. We were optimistic that the weather in southern Utah would be warm and spring-like come late February. However, we weren't so fortunate. As our trip got closer, it was looking like cooler temps and rain. Nevertheless, we are a committed and adventurous bunch; the desert was calling and we had to go! Preparation: Leave No Trace. The last few days leading up to a big backpacking trip are always the most important with regards to planning and packing. Therefore, I sat down and started doing some brainstorming about what I needed to bring on this trip, not just to get me through the weekend but to also help mitigate my groups' impact on the environment. I had been a volunteer trip leader for my university's Outdoor Programs for a couple years and had preached and practiced Leave No Trace (LNT) time and time again. I knew the seven principles of LNT like the back of my hand! But, incorporating these principles into my personal trip, with a group of 8 people, was going to prove challenging and take some critical thinking. I started to ponder and came up with some important questions: 1. Which activities do backpackers/campers participate in that require an interaction with the environment and what are the potential ecological impacts of said activities? I could think of several regular ways in which backcountry overnighters directly interact with the environment... Granted, the impacts I've listed here are very general, when in reality they may vary depending on where you're at. This is due to the different biotic and abiotic communities present in each area. For example, high alpine ecology consisting of coniferous trees, bears, and grasses is extremely different than the cryptobiotic crust, rodents, and sandstone of deserts like that of Canyonlands National Park. This vast diversity among varying ecosystems requires additional consideration when thinking about the ecological effects of our actions (e.g. to pitch a tent one night beneath a pine tree would leave little long-lasting impacts whereas walking through a patch of cryptobiotic soil in the desert would leave an impact lasting for DECADES, if not more). 2. Just how negative are these impacts? I came to realize the true answer to this question is that the severity of impact is irrelevant. What really matters is that all of these activities leave an impact at all. Period. If everyone who goes backpacking or camping do these same things without taking eco-conscious precautions, wilderness would quickly lose it's pure, natural sanctity and thus it's appeal. Unfortunately, the consequences of our unsustainable behaviors are often only taken seriously when they affect people. In other words: if we pollute our wild areas, no one will want to recreate there. But what about the wilderness itself? What about the multitude of mammals, plants, fish, insects and reptiles that inhabit these places? Whereas we as humans only occupy these wild areas for a few days, native plant and animal species were there before we arrived and will continue to be there long after we're gone. These species will feel the lasting effects of our actions regardless if they were intentional or not. 3. Are these actions necessary? Yes, most definitely. Participating in each of these is what makes backpacking/camping what it is! 4. Are the impacts resulting from these actions reducible or avoidable? Absolutely! There are sustainable approaches to each and every one of these activities. 5. Specifically, in what ways can these necessary activities be executed mindfully in order to limit, if not altogether eliminate, negative impacts? Aha! The most important question yet! How can I change the way I participate in these activities to preserve the surrounding environment? Moreover, how can I maximize my enjoyment while minimizing harmful ecological impacts? After some contemplation regarding LNT's seven principles and a little research, I came up with... CHOOSING CAMPSITES & HIKING TRAILS Always: Opt for established trails and campsites when available. Camp 200 feet away from water sources, AT LEAST. Try to refrain from stepping or sleeping on vegetation. If no plant-free or rocky areas are around, try to find the heartiest vegetation. In popular, regularly-recreated areas: Keep hiking paths concise by hiking single file in the middle of existing trails (e.g. don't cut switchbacks), even when it's muddy, and keep campsites small by focusing activity to areas with no existing vegetation. In more remote, less-traveled areas: Tents should be dispersed across durable surfaces and hikers should stay spread out. Avoid areas that are starting to show signs of impact. HAVING A CAMPFIRE Always: Check beforehand to ensure campfires are permitted in the area you're going. In campfire-permitted areas: Use existing fire rings if available. If not, use fire pans or mound fires. Keep fires small and only use sticks (not logs) that are already on the ground or can be easily broken by hand. Burn all wood and coals down to ash and put out fires completely, scattering cooled ashes afterwards. In campfire-prohibited areas: Bring a lightweight stove for cooking and a lantern or headlamp for light. Stargazing is always an excellent alternative! COOKING & EATING Always: Pack out what you pack in. Sweep your rest areas and campsites for any trash or food scraps left behind (yes, even banana peels, orange peels, apple cores, etc.). When washing dishes: Carry water 200 feet away from water sources and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Dispose of used dishwater by straining and scattering it USING THE BATHROOM Always: Check beforehand to ensure that human waste isn't required to be packed out. Pack out all toilet paper and feminine hygiene products. In areas not requiring waste to be packed out: Solid waste should be buried 6 to 8 inches deep and at least 200 feet away from water sources, established campsites, and trails. In areas requiring waste to be packed out: Make sure to bring along proper human wast disposal gear such as a "wag bag" or "poop tube" on your trip. INTERACTING WITH PLANTS AND WILDLIFE Always: Leave what you find. Leave rocks, plants, shells and all other natural objects. Avoid transporting non-native species to an area by cleaning off the soles of your boots beforehand. Observe wildlife from a distance and do not follow or approach them. Properly and securely store food and trash overnight and never feed animals. If bringing a pet, make sure you have control of them at all times. Be particularly cautious and respectful during sensitive seasons (e.g. mating, nesting, rearing offspring, and winter). 6. What exactly are the benefits of taking these precautions? Practicing these methods allow trafficked areas to recover quickly and help recreationists avoid disrupting animal behavior and plant communities. Likewise, as I've already mentioned, incorporating these guidelines will also preserve the environment for future visitors to enjoy. That's a lot of benefit for just a little awareness and mindful behaving! So worth it! Before Leaving Home. In order to incorporate these low-impact practices into my trip I knew I needed to talk to my group about the ways in which they could contribute to pulling off a successfully sustainable adventure. To prepare, I made sure to pack a couple of repurposed plastic grocery bags for packing out any and all trash/food scraps/toilet paper/hygiene products, found a somewhat popular trail on the Canyonlands National Park's webpage, and looked up backcountry camping restrictions and regulations. Before Leaving The Trail Head. I decided on Lathrop Canyon, a 22 mile out-and-back trail within the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands. This trail would take our group from one of the highest elevations in the park, to the lowest (A.K.A. the Colorado River)! Seeing as National Parks invite frequent visitors and recreationists, there was a restriction on campfires throughout the entire park. So before hitting the trail, I simply made sure to explain the LNT principles to everyone in the group, reminding them of the often overlooked concepts like to what extent "pack it in, pack it out" should be enforced (i.e. making sure to pack out all of our food scraps and hygiene products) as well as reminding them of the campfire restriction in place. Everyone had an awesome attitude and were stoked to do their part to protect the environment! On The Trail. Throughout our three days in the backcountry, we made sure to sweep all rest and camp areas for trash before departing, bury all solid human waste, and stay on the established trail. Not being allowed to have a campfire wasn't even an issue for us. We crashed fairly early each night, exhausted from hiking all day, and if we were up after sunset, we would sprawl out over the red rock looking for shooting stars and constellations. And let me tell you, the stars were INCREDIBLE. I think I may just re-think having campfires even when they aren't restricted! Bringing my sustainable lifestyle and environmentally-friendly attitude with me into the backcountry invoked a deeper connection with my surroundings. I felt in harmony with nature and in awe of it at the same time. Having respect for the wild places has never brought me anything but a smile to my face and warm fuzzies to my heart. Everyone has their unique motives for living sustainable. Personally, keeping our wild areas wild is near the top of my list. In what ways do you practice sustainability in when camping or backpacking? How can you improve your outdoor recreation activities so to mitigate your impact on the environment? Where is your favorite place to backpack/camp? Can you think of other ways in which backpacking or camping impacts the environment and ways to mitigate those impacts? What questions, comments, and/or concerns do you have for me? tread lightly. live fully.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorHi there, my name's Jennifer! I'm a tree-hugging, adventure-seeking, mid-twenties-something and I'm here to share my story with you! Follow me as I try my best to lead a natural and sustainable both everyday and while trying my best to see the world. Follow me on insta! @treadlightlylivefully
ArchivesCategories
All
Copyright © 2017. Tread Lightly. Live Fully.
|