Leave No Trace

This non-profit organization has been around since the 1970s. The Boy Scouts of America had a trial program in the 1980s. In the 1990s, The United States Forest Services and other organizations began a "Leave No Trace" nationwide education program that is going strong today.

Highland Hiking strongly supports the initiatives of this fine group who has changed many people's attitudes about using the great outdoors. Leave No Trace recognized early that something had to be done about the increase use of the natural world by well-meaning but significantly growing number of outdoor enthusiasts. Highland Hiking and Leave No Trace are dedicated to promoting responsible outdoor recreation by building awareness, appreciation, and respect for our wild-lands.

Leave No Trace has the following seven principles for responsible recreation decision making:

• Plan Ahead and Prepare--Poorly trained people in hazardous situations react poorly because a lack of experience to such issues. Inadequate food, clothing, injuries, time, weather and many other factors can turn on you if not anticipated or considered.
  
  
• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces--Damage to land occurs when surface vegetation or communities of organisms are trampled beyond repair. In high use areas, concentrate your activity. While in limited use areas, spread out your campsites to minimize specific damage.
  
  
• Dispose of Waste Properly--Leave No Trace recommends that all trash and litter be packed out. Waste water and soap should be dispersed far away from natural water sources. Human waste should be Holes six to 8 inches deep and 200 feet away from any water source.
  
  
• Leave What You Find--Leaving rocks, plants, archaeological artifacts and anything else found will allow others a sense of discovery as well. A nice site alterations, trenches, nails in trees and clearing of areas.
  
  
• Minimize use And Impact of Fire--The naturalness of many areas has been downgraded by the overuse of campfires and demand for firewood. Campfires will sterilize areas by burning routes up to 12 inches into the ground.
  
  
• Respect Wildlife--Animal populations have decreased and are limited to smaller areas because of human population increases. Human population and land use will only increase leaving less areas for wildlife to flourish and abound.
  
  
• Be Considerate of Others--Visitors to the wilderness should follow hiking etiquette and minimize noise bothersome to others.
  

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