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low impact camping
Posted On 2008-05-14 , 8:02 PM
Low Impact Camping
Low impact camping is a great way to preserve the natural beauty we have to enjoy for hiking, camping or just sight seeing. By practicing low impact camping, our children will be able to have the same great experiences. It is important for us to teach them the proper way of low impact camping too, so the beauty lasts for a long time.
There are plenty of books published on low impact camping, and I use some of what I have learned from each of them. Things like always staying on a designated path when ever there is one. With the added weight of a backpack, you could widen it by tramping down the weeds on the sides. This will promote erosion during heavy rains, which could wash out a trail, creating ruts, making it hard to walk on without twisting an ankle.
Another method of low impact camping is to find an area to pitch your tent that does not have tall grasses that will get damaged. Dirt or sandy areas are best for low impact camping, as you will leave little or no trace of a tent being there. Using a ground cloth under your tent will preserve your equipment for years to come. If at all possible, do not walk in the same direction to your tent, as you will pack down the ground leading up to it.
If you are going to build a fire while low impact camping, make sure to dig a “plug” out of the ground, big enough to build a fire in without burning the grasses around the hole. After you are done, clean out the clinkers in the bottom, and put the plug back into the hole. This will allow the grasses in the plug to continue to grow, and leave no trace of anyone having a fire there. When cooking while low impact camping, make sure to clear all flammables from the stove area. Do not dump grease or gray waters on vegetation either. Find a stump, or rocky area to dump the water. Try to strain foodstuffs before dumping the water. Put solids into a plastic zip-loc bag and take it out with you.
While low impact camping, you no doubt will need to use the bathroom. Some areas have pit out houses along the trail for you to use. On ones that do not have them, you must dig a pit yourself to use. Always go off the trail a good distance and avoid water sources. Always carry very fast decomposing paper in your pack. Make sure to dig deep enough and cover up when done so it is concealed. If you only need to urinate, find a rocky area away from a water source. You don’t want to kill any more vegetation than you need to.
There are a lot of little things you can do to preserve the outdoors. Low impact camping is a great way to ensure it is around for years to come.
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