We often complain about other messy hikers but writer and hiker Chris Hall reckons we all might be a little bit guilty sometimes.
We all have witnessed events on our hikes which make us wonder why some people venture into the pristine parks and wilderness, only to leave that environment in a worse state. How many times have we witnessed dirty pieces of paper/wipes scattered around viewing points, rubbish stuffed into tree hollows, small tabs/foil/tear-off/lids off packets on the ground at campsites, rubbish crammed down drop toilets etc. Doesn’t it make your blood boil and wonder why aren’t other people more careful, don’t they have a conscience?!
It might surprise you to know that WE are all amongst the culprits. Simply by taking a hike we can do these things unknowingly, as much as we try hard not to do so. Who has blown their nose on tissue paper, stuffed it into your pocket and then found it missing later in the hike. Or have you torn off that tiny circular foil seal on your toothpaste tube whilst at camp, put it on the log next to you and said “I’ll get that later” … and didn’t.
Perhaps you’re a guide serving lunch to a group and in haste you’ve tossed the remaining food scraps behind a bush, thinking that it will do no harm. You’ve flown into another state or country to complete a multi-day hike and left your old tent at the last campsite, simply to lighten your return flight baggage, thinking “someone else will use that”.
If you’ve been one of these people or done something similar, yet you believe that you still have a strict environmental code of conduct, think again next time you hike about how you could do better.
Here are some tips to ponder and add to your own list. Think about how you manage rubbish, all rubbish on the trail, not just yours. Take less rubbish with you by reducing packaging, avoid accidental rubbish by taking a biodegradable nappy bag in your pocket for tissues, take a rubbish bag to use for other people’s rubbish, educate/talk with (not to) other campers and do an ‘emu parade’ for rubbish when you leave campsites or viewing points. You can become someone who ‘treads lightly’ and is an example to others - campers are great at observing other campers, not just what gear they use.
Reducing trash is not the only way to lighten your footprint. Those with medical conditions, menstruation etc can use poo tubes or double bag to store bandages, applicators and tampons until the end of the hike. When cleaning your dishes beside a stream, make sure you throw the dirty water away from the flow of water so that it can disperse over time.
Don’t feed animals, no matter how much they may pester you for food. Store your food and waste where they can’t smell or taste it – double bagging in a dry bag and backpack in your tent vestibule usually works. Make sure you clean your gear thoroughly before your next hike so that the spread of natural diseases is lessened. Lastly, stop and listen to nature because the more you look and listen, the more you understand about it and why it is important to preserve.
For more info check out the Leave No Trace website.