TRAVEL AND CAMP TRAVEL AND CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES ON DURABLE SURFACES BRUCE CANNON BRUCE CANNON LNT MASTER EDUCATOR LNT MASTER EDUCATOR COUNCIL OUTDOOR ETHICS ADVOCATE COUNCIL OUTDOOR ETHICS ADVOCATE
Dec 24, 2015
TRAVEL AND CAMPTRAVEL AND CAMPON DURABLE SURFACESON DURABLE SURFACES
BRUCE CANNONBRUCE CANNON
LNT MASTER EDUCATORLNT MASTER EDUCATOR
COUNCIL OUTDOOR ETHICS ADVOCATECOUNCIL OUTDOOR ETHICS ADVOCATE
OBJECTIVES:OBJECTIVES:
To identify factors that affect To identify factors that affect durability.durability.
To understand what constitutes a To understand what constitutes a durable surface.durable surface.
To explain how to minimize your To explain how to minimize your impact in both popular and pristine impact in both popular and pristine areas.areas.
Factors That Affect Factors That Affect DurabilityDurability
The ability of surfaces or vegetation The ability of surfaces or vegetation to withstand wear or remain in stable to withstand wear or remain in stable condition.condition.
Frequency of use (or group size).Frequency of use (or group size).
Durable SurfacesDurable Surfaces
Established trails and campsitesEstablished trails and campsites RockRock GravelGravel SandSand GrassesGrasses Snow and iceSnow and ice
1000 passes
Resistance and Resilience of Resistance and Resilience of ForbsForbs
0 passes
250 passes
1 mo. later
Forest forbs generallyhave low resistance and resilience.
1000 passes
Resistance and Resilience of Resistance and Resilience of GrassesGrasses
0 passes
250 passes
1 mo. later
Grasses generallyhave high resistance and resilience.
TRAVEL IN POPULAR AREASTRAVEL IN POPULAR AREAS
Stay on the trail.Stay on the trail. Stay in the middle of the trail, even Stay in the middle of the trail, even
in muddy stretches.in muddy stretches. Don’t take shortcuts on switchbacks.Don’t take shortcuts on switchbacks.
Travel in Pristine AreasTravel in Pristine Areas
Disperse impact.Disperse impact. Walk abreast instead of single file.Walk abreast instead of single file. Travel on most durable surface Travel on most durable surface
possible.possible. Avoid cryptobiotic soil/crust. Avoid cryptobiotic soil/crust.
Camping on Durable Camping on Durable SurfacesSurfaces
In High Use/Popular Areas.In High Use/Popular Areas. In Pristine/Remote Areas.In Pristine/Remote Areas.
Use-Impact Relationships: Use-Impact Relationships: A Campsite ExampleA Campsite Example
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Nights/Year
0
20
40
60
80
100
To
tal C
han
ge
(%)
Vegetation Loss Soil Exposure Litter LossSeedling Loss Soil Density
The majority of most types of impact occur at low use levels
Factors Determining Factors Determining Choice of Camp SiteChoice of Camp Site
Level of previous impacts.Level of previous impacts. Durability of vegetation and soil.Durability of vegetation and soil. Likelihood of wildlife disturbance.Likelihood of wildlife disturbance. Your party’s potential for impact.Your party’s potential for impact.
Party size.Party size. Understanding of LNT principles.Understanding of LNT principles. Camping style.Camping style.
Foot vs horse vs bicyclesFoot vs horse vs bicycles Tents vs hammocksTents vs hammocks
Camping in High Use AreasCamping in High Use Areas
200 feet from water and trails.200 feet from water and trails. Use established/designated sites.Use established/designated sites. Concentrate tents, kitchen and traffic Concentrate tents, kitchen and traffic
routes.routes. Kitchen should be on the most Kitchen should be on the most
durable surface.durable surface.
Camping in High Use AreasCamping in High Use Areas
Confine impact to places that already Confine impact to places that already show use.show use.
Avoid enlarging the area of Avoid enlarging the area of disturbance.disturbance.
When leaving camp:When leaving camp: Be sure it’s clean. Be sure it’s clean. Remove all evidence of effects of fire, Remove all evidence of effects of fire,
cooking and human waste.cooking and human waste.
Camping in Pristine/Remote Camping in Pristine/Remote AreasAreas
Disperse tents and kitchen on most Disperse tents and kitchen on most durable surfaces.durable surfaces.
Minimize activity around kitchen.Minimize activity around kitchen. Minimize travel to/from water, Minimize travel to/from water,
kitchen, tents and packs.kitchen, tents and packs. Wear soft shoes around camp to Wear soft shoes around camp to
reduce impact on vegetation and reduce impact on vegetation and compaction of soil.compaction of soil.
Stay only one night.Stay only one night.
Leaving Pristine CampsiteLeaving Pristine Campsite
Naturalize the site.Naturalize the site. Help the site recover.Help the site recover. Prevent others from recognizing it as a Prevent others from recognizing it as a
campsite.campsite. Cover scuffed areas with native materials.Cover scuffed areas with native materials. Brush out tracks.Brush out tracks. Rake grassy areas with a stick.Rake grassy areas with a stick. Fluff up forest duff where you slept.Fluff up forest duff where you slept.
Camping in Arid LandsCamping in Arid Lands
Use established sites if possible.Use established sites if possible. Otherwise, use only non-vegetated Otherwise, use only non-vegetated
surfaces.surfaces. Rock, gravel and/or sand.Rock, gravel and/or sand. Avoid cryptobiotic soil.Avoid cryptobiotic soil.
Avoid wet or dry rivers/streambeds Avoid wet or dry rivers/streambeds due to:due to: Danger of flash floods.Danger of flash floods. Impact on wildlife.Impact on wildlife.
Camping in River CorridorsCamping in River Corridors
Use designated sites only.Use designated sites only. Beaches.Beaches. Sandbars.Sandbars. Non-vegetated sites below the high Non-vegetated sites below the high
water line.water line.