Leave No Trace: Traveling on Durable Surfaces

Leave no trace Friday! ✨ (Save this post for reference in your next outdoor adventure and share it will all your nature buddies, new or experienced!) Principe number two of leave no trace is Travel and Camp on durable surfaces. Let’s dive into what that means with a little more detail! Trails are made for a reason. They guide you through nature and as this principle defines, they also keep your impact to nature minimal. Sticking to the trail and not cutting a switchback or avoiding puddles or mud is vital in an effort to not scar the land further. There are a few instances where going off-trail if part of your nature experience. ☀️Travel to remote areas ☀️Finding privacy to go to the bathroom ☀️Exploration near and around campsites When traveling off-trail you need to consider the durability of the surfaces and vegetation around you along with how often you and your group will be traveling off-trail in that area. 🪨 Rocks and gravel are typically more durable to frequent travel but they do home lichens which are vulnerable so keep that in mind. 🧊Ice and snow are temporarily affected by travel but it is important to note the depth of the snow so the vegetation underneath isn’t damaged. 🌼Vegetation typically is more susceptible to scarring from foot traffic. When traveling through vegetation don’t follow the same path and as a group everyone should make their own “path” so the group doesn’t create a noticeable path that would encourage others to go off-trail as well. 🏜Living soil is incredibly fragile. You can destroy it with one step so sticking to rocks and hard surfaces can protect these tiny communities. And when traveling in a group following each other’s footsteps is important! 🌵Desert puddles and mud holes provide water for the things of the desert so don’t step in them. When camping in the backcountry it’s important to pick a spot on a durable surface, not to travel the same routes around camp, move camp nightly, and cover traces of your visit when leaving so other backcountry visitors don’t trample the same area. This principle holds so many more details so to read more about this principle visit LNT.org!