BASIC MOUNTAINEERING COURSE

It increases self-confidence and

opportunities for learning more about
nature
THE Seven Elements to Consider when
LEAVE NO TRACE Planning a Trip

PRINCIPLE Identify and record the goals of your

trip
Identify the skill and ability of trip
participants
Select destinations that match your
goals, skills and abilities
Gain knowledge of the area you plan
to visit
Choose equipment and clothing for
comfort and safety
Evaluate your trip upon return note
and changes you will make next time
(assess!)
The LNT summarizes a trend among hikers to
address concerns about conservation of our Other elements to consider:
ecosystem and scenery that often motivate
hikes. weather
Terrain
LNT is an ecological principle of leaving an
Regulations and restrictions
environment of habitation in such a condition as
Private land boundaries
to render it impossible for future observers to
discern the previous presence of the Average hiking speed of the group
practitioners of the LNT methodology. and anticipated food consumption
(leftovers create waste which leaves
One simple and fundamental aspect of LNT is: trace!)
IF YOU CAN CARRY IT IN, YOU CAN CARRY Group size (does it meet regulations,
IT OUT. trip purpose and the LNT?)
All LNT Principles
THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF LEAVE NO
Meal Planning
TRACE PRINCIPLE
It reduces trash
1. PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE
It reduces pack weight resulting in
faster hiking times and less fatigue
Importance of Trip Planning:
Reduced dependence upon
campfires for cooking
It helps ensure safety of groups or
Opt for one-pot meals, requires
individuals
minimal cooking utensils, fuel and
It prepares you to LNT and
cooking time
minimizes resource damage
Opt for light weight snacks, it
It contributes to accomplishing trip
requires minimum of packing and
goals safely and enjoyably
preparation time
BAKTAS MSU MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY MOUNTAINEERING SOCIETY, INC.
BASIC MOUNTAINEERING COURSE: THE LEAVE NO TRACE (LNT) PRINCIPLES

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Removed food from commercial Select an appropriate campsite
packaging, place it in Ziplocs or Campsite should be based on
sealable bags information about the level and
type of use in the area, the
fragility of vegetation and soil,
2. TRAVEL AND CAMP ON DURABLE the likelihood of wildlife
SURFACES disturbance, an assessment of
the previous impacts
TRAVELLING Avoid camping close to water
and trails
Understand HOW to travel to Select a site which is not visible
minimize impacts and avoid to others
damage to the environment It is best to camp on sites that
Travel damage occur when are so highly impacted that
surface vegetation are trampled further use will cause no
beyond recovery (it will result to noticeable impact.
barren area, barren area also Tents, traffic routes and kitchen
results to soil erosionsee the areas should be concentrated on
effect!) already impacted areas (the
Concentrate activities and point is, confine the impact to
travels on existing trails and already used area to avoid
constructed trails (utilize the enlarging the area of
designated trail, do not create disturbance)
one!) Leave no trace when leaving the
Avoid making new routes or camp
multiple trails, it will develop scar Camping on undisturbed
to the landscape (pristine) areas only if you are
Encourage to stay within the committed to the LNT techniques
width of the trail Spread out tents and kitchen
Provide space for hikers if taking areas on durable surfaces
breaks along trail Avoid repetitive traffic routes (the
Avoid traveling on a large group point is, to minimize the number
size of times any part of the site is
Step on a durable surface (rock, trampled)
sand and gravel) Wear soft shoes around camp
Select an area with sparse Watch where you walk to avoid
vegetation (like dry grasses) crushing vegetation and take
Avoid delicate and vulnerable alternate paths to water Minimize
vegetation the number of trips to water by
Avoid Foot traffic carrying water containers
When venturing an off-trail, Camp away from the water
spread out to avoid creating source
paths that encourage others to
follow Breaking camp

CAMPING Take time to naturalize the site.

Cover scuffed areas with native
Camp on durable surfaces materials, brushing out

BAKTAS MSU MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY MOUNTAINEERING SOCIETY, INC.

BASIC MOUNTAINEERING COURSE: THE LEAVE NO TRACE (LNT) PRINCIPLES

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footprints, rake matted grassy Use a trowel to dig 6-8 inches
areas, help the site to recover deep, 4-6 inches diameter
and make it less obvious as a cathole
campsite. It must be covered and disguised
Hide any indication where you with natural materials when
camped finished
Cooking areas, tents and Toilet papers must be used
backpacks should be located on sparingly, and disposed properly,
rock, sand or gravel it should be thoroughly buried or
Never scrape away or clean placed in plastic and packed out,
sites of organic litter like leaves it must not be burned!
(it helps to cushion trampling Dilute urine with water to
forces, and reduced the erosive minimize effects (however, urine
forces of rain!) has little direct effect on
Minimize the removal of rocks environment)
and gravel Scatter strained dish water
Limit your stay to no more than
two nights in just one area
4. LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND

3. DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY Respect natural setting

Leave rocks, plants, archeology
Pack it in, pack it out artifacts and other objects of
Inspect your campsite for trash interest as you find them.
or spilled food Minimize site alterations, leave
Accept the challenge of packing areas as you found them
out all trash, leftover food and Preserve the past, examine but
litters do not touch cultural or historic
Use biodegradable soap 200 structures or artifacts
feet from water source Do not dig trenches for tents or
Dispose human waste properly make other rudimentary
to avoid the negative improvements
implications of someone else If you clear area of stones or
finding it, minimize the possibility twigs, replace them before
of spreading disease, maximize leaving.
the rate of decomposition Avoid damaging trees and plants
Burry human feces as the most Avoid hammering nails to trees
effective method of disposing for hanging things, hacking them
human waste with hatchets and saws, carving
Burry it far away from water initials, vandalizing
sources and other frequently Do not pick flowers, take a
used places picture or sketch it instead
Make catholes 200 feet away Enjoy an occasional edible plant,
from water, trails and camp but be careful not to deplete
Select an inconspicuous site them, or disturb plants that are
where the other people will slow to reproduce
unlikely to walk or camp.

BAKTAS MSU MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY MOUNTAINEERING SOCIETY, INC.

BASIC MOUNTAINEERING COURSE: THE LEAVE NO TRACE (LNT) PRINCIPLES

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Leave natural objects and Pack out any camp fire litter.
cultural artifacts so others can Plastic items should never be
experience a sense of discovery burned in a camp fire
Good campsites are found, not Provide adequate supervision for
made. young people when using stoves
Avoid altering a site, digging or fires.
trenches or building structures Never leave fire unattended
Avoid introducing or transporting Keep wood and other fuel
non-native species sources away from fire
Thoroughly extinguish all fires

5. MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE IMPACTS

6. RESPECT WILDLIFE
Avoid camping with campfire.
Natural appearance of many Learn about wildlife through
areas has been degraded by the quiet observation only.
overuse of fires and increasing Do not disturb wildlife or plants
demand for firewood just for a better look.
Use light weight efficient camp Observe wildlife from a distance
stoves to encourage a shift away so that the wildlife will not be
from traditional fire building scared and disturbed.
Stoves are essential equipment Quick movements and loud
for minimum-impact camping, it noises are stressful to animals,
operates in almost any weather avoid it.
condition, and they leave no Travel quietly, do not pursue,
trace. feed or force animals to flee
Use candle lantern instead of fire Do not touch, get close to, feed
Consider fire restrictions and or pick up wild animals
dangers to the place you will be If you find sick animals or any
camping animals in trouble, report it to the
If campfires cant be avoided, wildlife bureau
camp in areas where woods are Store foods securely, keep
abundant (however a true LNT garbage and food scraps away
fire shows no evidence of having from animals, remember that you
been constructed one) are a visitor to their home.
Build fires on existing fire rings in Give buffer space to the animals
a well-placed campsite to access the waters
Allow wood to burn completely to Do not pollute the environment
ash so that animals will not be
Put out fires with water injured
Avoid building fires next to rock, Avoid wildlife during sensitive
the scars will remain for years times: mating, nesting, raising
Use fire pans (good alternative!) young, or winter
as an alternative for fire building,
it should be elevated on rocks so
the heat does not scorch the 7. BE CONSIDERATE TO OTHER VISITORS
ground.

BAKTAS MSU MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY MOUNTAINEERING SOCIETY, INC.

BASIC MOUNTAINEERING COURSE: THE LEAVE NO TRACE (LNT) PRINCIPLES

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Travel and camp in small groups
Let the natures sound prevail.
Leave the radios, CDs, pets at
home
Maintain courtesy towards other
visitors, it is one of the most
important outdoor ethics
Be courteous. Yield to other
users on the trail
Help everyone enjoy their
outdoor experience
Keep the noise level down while
traveling, and if you bring radio,
tapes or CDs, use headphones
so you will not disturb others
Feeling of solitude is enhanced
when group size is small
To maximize your feeling of
privacy, avoid trips on holidays
and busy weekends
When camping, choose a site
that can hide naturally from
others view
Keep noise down in camps so as
not to disturb other campers or
those passing by the trail
Make sure the colors of clothing
and gear blend with the
environment
Respect private property
Be considerate of other campers
and respect their privacy.

BAKTAS MSU ADHERES TO AND PROMOTES THE

PRINCIPLES OF LEAVE NO TRACE PROGRAM

BAKTAS MSU MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY MOUNTAINEERING SOCIETY, INC.

BASIC MOUNTAINEERING COURSE: THE LEAVE NO TRACE (LNT) PRINCIPLES

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