By Mike Kesselring
The Angler Magazine is well known for publishing informative, locally written articles on fishing. They are always loaded with useful tips, interesting stories and great photos. On occasion, a non-fishing, but, related topic finds its way onto The Angler’s pages.
Sometimes a fishing trip includes back country camping. It is a great way to get away from everything and fish some remote water? Many backcountry campers probably learned about this fun activity in the Boy or Girl Scouts, or from their parents.
Old Scouts, like myself, learned the basics of wilderness camping with a focus on survival. It wasn’t until recent years that Scouts have been learning how to camp without leaving a trace of having been in the woods. Scouting accomplished this by integrating the principles of Leave No Trace into their Outdoor Ethics Awareness awards and merit badge programs.
LNT has its roots in the 1916 Organic Act. It was further developed within the ideals of the 1964 Wilderness Preservation Act. The first LNT pamphlet for the public was created in 1987 and included a list of guiding principles. In 1990 the United States Forest Service partnered with other organizations to provide LNT materials and training to the public. Then, in 1994, LNT, Inc was formed to help expand and promote outdoor ethics through the combined efforts of the NPS, BLM, USFS, USFWS, businesses, outdoor groups, and individuals.
Many campers leave behind more than a trail of breadcrumbs, completely unaware, or they just don’t care. Without some form of Leave No Trace training or education campers probably know less about the ethics of backcountry camping than they may realize. Being conscientious about and considerate of other campers, wildlife and natural surroundings is the foundation of LNT. The core values of LNT are seven principles designed to reduce human damage caused by non-motorized outdoor recreation. Learn these principles and enjoy the outdoors even more knowing you have left no trace.
Classes for LNT can be scheduled for organizations, companies and private groups by contacting Mike Kesselring of Bryson City, NC at mikessel59@gmail.com or 828-736-6929 or going to the LNT.org website where membership and merchandise information is also available.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles:
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
Dispose of Waste Properly
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
Leave What You Find
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the environment. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
Respect Wildlife
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
Visit the LNT.org homepage to learn more about the Leave No Trace program.
There are over fourteen cellphone sized plastic reference cards explaining the seven Leave No Trace principles for a wide variety of outdoor activities. They include backcountry, frontcountry, fishing, hunting, winter, heritage sites, rock climbing, canyoneering, geocaching, and other activities. They can be attached to a backpack or fanny pack for quick reference.
© 1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Mike Kesselring is owner and operator of Point to Point Shuttle Service. He is a volunteer coordinator for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He’s written about and taken photos of the GSMNP for decades. He is the proud of owner of perhaps the largest fly collection in WNC.