Clueless wrote:
I often find myself struggling to reconcile the concept of Leave No Trace
with letterboxing. Clearly, it is not a leave no trace activity. Yet, the
actions we take when hiking, planting, and hunting can go a long way towards
being good stewards: choosing our hiding locations with attention to
surrounding vegetation, picking up trash while we walk, not taking a direct
route to an off-trail box (creates social trails), considering what damage
someone looking for your box can do and factoring that in to your placement
and clues, etc, etc, etc.
**********************
I teach LNT to scouts and I've also introduced several of them to LB'ing.
I've also struggled with reconciling the two concepts.
All those things you mention help to make that reconciliation easier. I was
finally able to put my own mind to rest when I realized that I may be taking
something and leaving it in the woods, but I'm also committing to caring for
it. If I plant my box responsibly, then when I remove it there is no sign
it had ever been there - no trace is left.
Leave No Trace, in my opinion, is more about being mindful in your actions
while participating in nature, than it is about holding your breath and
tiptoing through the forest so as to avoid anyone ever knowing you are
there. If LNT were strictly about being invisible, we couldn't justify
clearing trails after a storm or moving branches that are crushing young
plants - we would have to shrug our shoulders and say "Oh well. Survival of
the fittest."
I don't feel this completely rectifies the two, but it made it so I could
feel okay about it. Until I came to that realization, I seriously
considered giving up letterboxing because I couldn't justify it in the face
of LNT.
--
Barefoot Lucy
"It's not about footwear, it's about philosophy"
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
No Digging...
3 messages in this thread |
Started on 2006-08-14
Leave No Trace (was No Digging...)
From: Barefoot Lucy (barefootlucy@gmail.com) |
Date: 2006-08-14 22:30:29 UTC-05:00
RE: [LbNA] Leave No Trace (was No Digging...)
From: Tracy Edwards (tracy_e@cox.net) |
Date: 2006-08-14 23:11:51 UTC-05:00
All in all, I cannot see how we are in violation of LNT principles. The
highlighted one about not disturbing rocks or vegetation is the only one
that we impact. I am a newbie and I have been out hunting and placing.
Other than rearranging dead leaves to cover my naturally occurring
hidey-holes, I have not broken any of these principles. (maybe Im not
doing something right :-)).
Plan Ahead and Prepare (more details and information)
* Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
* Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
* Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
* Visit in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of 4-6.
* Repackage food to minimize waste.
* Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock
cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces (more details and information)
* Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock,
gravel, dry grasses or snow.
* Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and
streams.
* Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not
necessary.
* In popular areas:
* Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
* Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
* Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is
absent.
* In pristine areas:
* Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
* Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
Dispose of Waste Properly (more details and information)
* Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for
trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
* Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at
least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole
when finished.
* Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
* To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from
streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter
strained dishwater.
Leave What You Find (more details and information)
* Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic
structures and artifacts.
* Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
* Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
* Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
Minimize Campfire Impacts
* Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a
lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
* Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or
mound fires.
* Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken
by hand.
* Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then
scatter cool ashes.
Respect Wildlife (more details and information)
* Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
* Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters
natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
* Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash
securely.
* Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
* Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising
young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors (more details and information)
* Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
* Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
* Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
* Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
* Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises
highlighted one about not disturbing rocks or vegetation is the only one
that we impact. I am a newbie and I have been out hunting and placing.
Other than rearranging dead leaves to cover my naturally occurring
hidey-holes, I have not broken any of these principles. (maybe Im not
doing something right :-)).
Plan Ahead and Prepare (more details and information)
* Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
* Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
* Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
* Visit in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of 4-6.
* Repackage food to minimize waste.
* Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock
cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces (more details and information)
* Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock,
gravel, dry grasses or snow.
* Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and
streams.
* Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not
necessary.
* In popular areas:
* Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
* Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
* Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is
absent.
* In pristine areas:
* Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
* Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
Dispose of Waste Properly (more details and information)
* Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for
trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
* Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at
least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole
when finished.
* Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
* To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from
streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter
strained dishwater.
Leave What You Find (more details and information)
* Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic
structures and artifacts.
* Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
* Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
* Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
Minimize Campfire Impacts
* Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a
lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
* Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or
mound fires.
* Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken
by hand.
* Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then
scatter cool ashes.
Respect Wildlife (more details and information)
* Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
* Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters
natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
* Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash
securely.
* Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
* Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising
young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors (more details and information)
* Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
* Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
* Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
* Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
* Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises
Re: [LbNA] Leave No Trace (was No Digging...)
From: Barefoot Lucy (barefootlucy@gmail.com) |
Date: 2006-08-15 06:29:18 UTC-05:00
The particular point that everyone struggles most with is "Pack it in, Pack
it out", but if you look at the guidelines you quoted under that objective,
they all refer to trash, waste, etc.
If I'm caring for my box and ensuring that it doesn't impact wildlife, and
if, when I remove it, there is no remaining sign it had been there, it isn't
trash.
On 8/14/06, Tracy Edwards wrote:
>
> All in all, I cannot see how we are in violation of LNT principles. The
> highlighted one about not disturbing rocks or vegetation is the only one
> that we impact. I am a newbie and I have been out hunting and placing.
> Other than rearranging dead leaves to cover my naturally occurring
> hidey-holes, I have not "broken" any of these principles. (maybe I'm not
> doing something right :-)).
>
>
>
>
>
> "Plan Ahead and Prepare (more details and information)
>
> * Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll
> visit.
>
> * Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
> * Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
> * Visit in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of 4-6.
> * Repackage food to minimize waste.
> * Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock
> cairns or flagging.
>
> Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces (more details and information)
>
> * Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock,
> gravel, dry grasses or snow.
> * Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and
> streams.
> * Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not
> necessary.
> * In popular areas:
>
> * Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
> * Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or
> muddy.
>
> * Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is
> absent.
>
> * In pristine areas:
>
> * Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
> * Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
>
> Dispose of Waste Properly (more details and information)
>
> * Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for
> trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
> * Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at
> least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the
> cathole
> when finished.
> * Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
> * To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from
> streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter
> strained dishwater.
>
> Leave What You Find (more details and information)
>
> * Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic
> structures and artifacts.
> * Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
> * Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
> * Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
>
> Minimize Campfire Impacts
>
> * Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a
> lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
> * Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans,
> or
> mound fires.
> * Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be
> broken
> by hand.
> * Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then
> scatter cool ashes.
>
> Respect Wildlife (more details and information)
>
> * Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
> * Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters
> natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
> * Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash
> securely.
> * Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
> * Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising
> young, or winter.
>
> Be Considerate of Other Visitors (more details and information)
>
> * Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their
> experience.
> * Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
> * Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack
> stock.
>
> * Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
> * Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises "
>
>
>
> From LNT.org. HYPERLINK
> "http://www.lnt.org/programs/lnt7/index.html"
> http://www.lnt.org/programs/lnt
> 7/index.html
>
>
>
> Okie Dragon
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.10.10/418 - Release Date: 8/14/2006
>
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.10.10/418 - Release Date: 8/14/2006
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
--
Barefoot Lucy
"It's not about footwear, it's about philosophy"
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
it out", but if you look at the guidelines you quoted under that objective,
they all refer to trash, waste, etc.
If I'm caring for my box and ensuring that it doesn't impact wildlife, and
if, when I remove it, there is no remaining sign it had been there, it isn't
trash.
On 8/14/06, Tracy Edwards
>
> All in all, I cannot see how we are in violation of LNT principles. The
> highlighted one about not disturbing rocks or vegetation is the only one
> that we impact. I am a newbie and I have been out hunting and placing.
> Other than rearranging dead leaves to cover my naturally occurring
> hidey-holes, I have not "broken" any of these principles. (maybe I'm not
> doing something right :-)).
>
>
>
>
>
> "Plan Ahead and Prepare (more details and information)
>
> * Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll
> visit.
>
> * Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
> * Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
> * Visit in small groups. Split larger parties into groups of 4-6.
> * Repackage food to minimize waste.
> * Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock
> cairns or flagging.
>
> Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces (more details and information)
>
> * Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock,
> gravel, dry grasses or snow.
> * Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and
> streams.
> * Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not
> necessary.
> * In popular areas:
>
> * Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
> * Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or
> muddy.
>
> * Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is
> absent.
>
> * In pristine areas:
>
> * Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
> * Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
>
> Dispose of Waste Properly (more details and information)
>
> * Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for
> trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
> * Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at
> least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the
> cathole
> when finished.
> * Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
> * To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from
> streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter
> strained dishwater.
>
> Leave What You Find (more details and information)
>
> * Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic
> structures and artifacts.
> * Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
> * Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
> * Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
>
> Minimize Campfire Impacts
>
> * Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a
> lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
> * Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans,
> or
> mound fires.
> * Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be
> broken
> by hand.
> * Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then
> scatter cool ashes.
>
> Respect Wildlife (more details and information)
>
> * Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
> * Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters
> natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
> * Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash
> securely.
> * Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
> * Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising
> young, or winter.
>
> Be Considerate of Other Visitors (more details and information)
>
> * Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their
> experience.
> * Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
> * Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack
> stock.
>
> * Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
> * Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises "
>
>
>
> From LNT.org. HYPERLINK
> "http://www.lnt.org/programs/lnt7/index.html"
> http://www.lnt.org/programs/lnt
> 7/index.html
>
>
>
> Okie Dragon
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.10.10/418 - Release Date: 8/14/2006
>
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.10.10/418 - Release Date: 8/14/2006
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
--
Barefoot Lucy
"It's not about footwear, it's about philosophy"
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]