Outdoorsy-ness is a growing trend and alpine sports, skiing, snowboard, climbing and backpacking are becoming more popular and accessible, and thus the once secluded crags and back-country trails are becoming central social hubs.
A lot of you are probably as outdoorsy as I am and enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, etc... in our wonderful outdoors. But this means that we have a responsibility to protect the environment by upholding a certain attitude and code of ethics, thus being good ambassadors for our outdoor pursuits. My post on ski/snowboard wax yesterday really got me thinking about the impact that my other outdoor sports have on the environment.
I have recently become a member of Leave No Trace Canada which has inspired me to write a series of posts about what we, as outdoor enthusiasts, can do to help preserve the pristine outdoor environment. Even if you aren't a super keen-outdoors person, and just enjoy the occasional walk in the park, be sure the to read the next couple of posts!
Part 1: Tread Lightly
This is applicable to hiking, walking, backpacking, biking, horse-riding etc.
Travel and camp on durable surfaces and don't take short-cuts. This means travel on rock, gravel, snow and stay on established trails and campsites (even when it is muddy!) While established trails themselves are an impact on the land, they are a necessary response to people traveling in the outdoors and the back-country. Concentrating travel on these developed trails reduces the development of multiple routes that scar the landscape and erode soil. When travelling on established trails and popular areas, be sure to stay on trail, walk in single file and keep campsites concentrated -try to stay in areas where there is no vegetation.
Good campsites are not made, they are found -it is not necessary to make site alterations. Camp at least 70 steps away from lakes or streams so access routes are free for wildlife. Try to keep to already high-impacted locations so that your small footprint will not be noticeable. In pristine areas, spread out and try to avoid repetitive traffic. When breaking camp, be sure to "naturalize it" and return it to the state it was in before you came.
When travelling in pristine areas, disperse use to prevent creating trails and avoid places where impacts are just beginning. Some vegetation is more robust than other types and thus more resistant to trampling, however, alpine vegetation is very fragile. The Adirondacks website has a really moving description of the struggle for alpine vegetation to survive:
Picture yourself hanging from a ledge dangling only from your very fingertips, frozen by cold and buffeted by wind. Now include an unknowing hiker stepping on your fingertips. This is life as an alpine plant in the Adirondacks.
These fragile ecosystems are vulnerable to disturbances and trampling and it may take decades for it to recover from the passing of one single hiking group! The same is true for the delicate Cryptobiotic crust in desert environments -so be sure to tread lightly by remaining on established trails, or following guidelines set by the parks suitable for off-trail travel if it is necessary.
While I won't be able to make it out to the back country anytime soon, these guidelines are really good practice for anything outdoors. What do you think? Do you have any other suggestions for "treading lightly"?
Be sure to keep posted for the next few days with the next few topics pertaining to outdoor sports!
Me -"Treading Lightly" as we travel on snow on our way to the Bow Hut!
Sources:
http://www.leavenotrace.ca/principle-travel-camp-durable-surfaces
http://www.adk.org/trails/High_Peaks_Hike-Backpack.aspx
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