Many people enjoy hiking for reasons such as good exercise and they appreciate all that nature has to offer. Because of their love of nature, they want to know if the any of their outdoor activities have any impact on nature. The more they can decrease their “footprint” on nature, the better.
Many hikers like exploring different areas out in the wild because they want to see nature in all its natural beauty. Most hikers abide by the saying “leave no trace” which means that they should not leave or imprint anything that will let other hikers know that they have been staying on those grounds. Environmentalists are hoping to decrease the negative impact of hikers on the environment and their disturbance on the ecosystem. To lesson the impact, below are some tips.
One way not to negatively impact nature is to stay on state approved camp grounds and not to venture beyond designated areas during mating season. It is just natural that animals would be on edge if they feel that their habitat and young are threatened.
Many hikers leave human waste on the ground and the best thing to do about is to make a cathole. A cathole is usually a deep hole and inside it is the human waste which should be covered afterwards. They usually mark them with a stick to warn other hikers not to make another cathole or to avoid that area.
Many hikers usually eat hiking MRE meals to sustain the energy that they need in order to finish their hike. Since it is a compact food package, it barely leaves any garbage. Many hikers respect the environment which is why they keep their trash in the bag provided by the MRE kit. One should put all his waste in the bag and throw it if there are available trash cans in the area or carry it with them by putting it in his backpack. Less harm will be done to the environment if traces of the food will not be left behind after a hiker eats.
It is important to care for the environment because it is what sustains the ecosystem and the people living in the nearby areas. Proper disposal of human and food products it is recommended to ensure that animals and other living creatures will not be disturbed in their natural habitat.
Make more comprehensive plans for food and waste storage when hiking in bear country. Utilize a bear resistant canister for your food and trash. They weight about 2.5 pouunds, and will store a carefully planned meal plan for one person for a week. Some areas require you to hike out toilet paper. Yellowstone has very strict regulations for backpacking in bear country. Take time to familiarize yourself with the requirements about bringing no scented objects, femals should not be menstruating, and prepare to pitch your tent facing a climbable treee. Better to be prepared than scared!
Have fun on your next backpacking trip, and don’t forget your camping checklist!
