by Eric Fies, Leave No Trace Educator
Pennsylvania will always be home to me. Equipped with little more than a Swiss Army knife, a compass from a broken Rambo survival knife, a well-worn and long-overdue copy of The New Complete Walker, and an Academy Broadway frame pack filled with a variety of snacks pilfered from mom’s pantry, I grew up hiking the amazing trails of the Poconos. I attribute those times with my early development in “bushcraft” and my success as a career Army ranger, but I know my many safe returns are a direct reflection of the importance I place in planning and being prepared for every eventuality.
Many trail disasters are due to poor planning and unexpected conditions. However, being ill-equipped probably causes trail disasters (and costs lives) with even greater frequency. Ill-equipped people may also place other trail users, as well as emergency responders, in harm’s way and possibly damage natural and cultural resources. It’s no wonder that “Plan Ahead and Prepare” is the first of the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace.
Regardless of the length of your trip, it’s important to establish a goal and define expectations while considering the skills and fitness levels of your fellow trail users. Ensure you understand the conditions and topography of the area you’re visiting and that you know local regulations and restrictions; then choose the right equipment for the activity and plan for the possibilities. This practice will increase your self-confidence in nature and help you achieve your trip goals safely and enjoyably.
When planning for trail meals, consider ways to reduce waste. One-pot meals and lightweight snacks require minimum packing and preparation time, lighten your load, and decrease garbage. Be mindful of local fire regulations, take steps to avoid dependence on campfires for cooking, and consider backpack stoves to truly Leave No Trace.
This principle is equally important for community and land managers. Planning ahead for high-use seasons and preparing front-country areas with adequate parking, trash and recycling receptacles, restrooms, and watering points are essential to safe, environmentally sound visits. Internet-accessible maps and current regulatory literature are extremely helpful in visitor planning and preparedness; they also help reduce printing costs and a potential source of trail litter. Posting Leave No Trace reminders at trailheads and ensuring park officials are familiar with the 7 Principles are still more ways to facilitate responsible enjoyment.
The foundation of outdoor ethics is respect for our natural world and for those who enjoy it besides us. My foundation was set many years ago along the trails of the Poconos; then I built upon it and carried it with me around the world on countless adventures. Perhaps the best way to live the first principle and ensure we plan ahead and prepare as a species is to teach our youngest explorers the deep love we all have for our wild spaces. Demonstrate each day to all around you the importance of stewardship. Also, never stop learning, growing, planning, and preparing for your own success—and that of nature—both on and off the trail.
I wish you a thousand safe and happy miles on unspoiled trails in the new year. Explore responsibly!
To learn more, visit www.explorenorthstar.com or join me on Twitter @RangerFies.
Note: The member-driven Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches people how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Any copyrighted information has been reprinted with permission from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.