Leave No Trace: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

The second principle in Leave No Trace is to Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces. The goal of traveling in the outdoors is to avoid damage to waterways and land while moving through natural areas. To accomplish this goal you must understand how travel can damage surface vegetation and organisms, leaving soil erosion and barren lands. 

Traveling on Trails

Trails are constructed by land management agencies to give hikers identifiable routes and to concentrate foot traffic. Hiking groups should work together to minimize environmental impact and stay within the width of the trail. A hiker should have the right type of trekking pole and know how to properly use them to minimize environmental impact and provide the best assistance to the hiker. Hiking groups should avoid loud conversation while hiking and take breaks off the trail to stop and talk.

Off Trail Travel

There are two main factors that affect the land with hiking off trail, the size of your group and frequency of travel along with the durability of hiking surfaces and vegetation. The frequency and size of your group can indicate the likelihood of trampling vegetation and the durability of surfaces refers to the ability of vegetation to withstand wear and remain stable.

Camping on Durable Surfaces

One of the most important aspects of low impact camping is to select the appropriate campsite. Choosing the right location should be based on the likelihood of disturbing wildlife, the condition of soil and vegetation and the potential impact to the environment. The goal should be to confine impact to areas which already show signs of use and avoid disturbing any larger area. Be sure to clean your area when breaking down your campsite and take time to naturalize the area.

Whether camping in high-traffic areas or remote locations, choosing the right type of sleeping bag with a sleeping pad will provide a more comfortable night’s rest. Cascade Mountain Tech offers high-quality mummy sleeping bags, sleeping pads and camp bedding.

By using a high quality, rotomolded cooler you can cut down on foot traffic going back and forth to fill up ice as the best super coolers will keep ice for up to 10 days. Depending on your campsite location, you may want a cooler that is Certified Bear Resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee.

Cascade Mountain Tech offers these tips to minimize your impact to the environment when traveling, hiking or camping. We offer a wide selection of quality outdoor gear to make your trip more enjoyable and safer for your group as well as outdoor areas. Contact us with any questions and to learn more about our products such as quality trekking poles, super coolers, camp bedding and chairs.