When we arrived in Yosemite Valley, the park ranger drilled in the leave-no-trace concept into us before issuing wilderness permits. Having these permits, allowed us to backpack in the back country. What a wonderful treat that was.
Being that these areas are ones where there is no garbage pick up, or that sort, it is imperative that we not leave any traces of our presence in the backcountry. Although it was a new way of thinking, I was able to make the required adjustments — with a few reminders here and there.
A few of the rules surrounding leave-no-trace include:
- Stay on the trail. Don’t short cut the switchbacks.
- Use existing camp sites which are at least 100 feet from water or trail and built on durable ground.
- Minimize expansion of trails to the water, and preserve water quality by using a large container to filter and obtain water.
- Do all washing at least 100 feet from the water.
- Bury human waste 6″ under and 100 feet from water or camps.
- Pack out EVERYTHING that you packed in — including toilet paper.
- Don’t let the animals eat your food.
- Store all food, garbage, and scented items (ie toothpaste) in bear-resistant food storage containers.
By the time we were leaving, it was becoming old hat for me. I even devised a signal for reminding us to pick up or food and other scented items from the public bear boxes on the final day.
And then we went home. We left no trace but took a whole lot of treasured memories back with us.