PRACTICE: Leave No Trace

When you go into the backcountry or any natural area for that matter, it is super important to have respect for the land and the ecosystems that exist within. Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating people on how to enjoy the outdoors while practicing good stewardship. It is definitely worth checking out their website http://www.lnt.org/index.php for more information. Make these principles your life long habits and enjoy the outdoors!

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DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY

• 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.

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LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND

• 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.

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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.

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RESPECT WILDLIFE

• 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.

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BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHER VISITORS

• 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 sound prevail.

PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE

• 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 when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
• Repackage food to minimize waste.
• Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

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TRAVEL AND CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES

• 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.

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GEAR: Sleeping Outside #2

Well, I was all ready to come back from my backpacking trip last week to tell you how wonderful the new Thermarest NeoAir Sleeping Pad is...but I just can't. Now don't get me wrong, this pad is super light, extremely cushy (2.5 inches thick!) and packs the size of a 1 liter water bottle but there is a fault too large to ignore, durability. Unfortunately, even with my newfangled tarp protection system, this pad proved to be just too delicate for me. I found myself at 2 a.m. on our third night out after an exhausting day, waking up to my hip hitting the frosty ground. I thought it might be the cold weather shifting the air density but when I had to blow it up again at 4 a.m. I knew I had another leak. Darn it! As I lay under the stars unable to sleep I looked over at Tim, snoring and happily sleeping on his Big Agnes Insulated Air Core and while I wanted to wake him so he could share in my misery, I considerately held back. He's had this pad now for over two years without any trouble, pops or leaks while I've taken mine on two trips and it's given me grief both times! I'm ready to switch over to the more durable and just as comfortable Big Agnes as soon as I can muster up the energy to head back to REI. Phew!

GEAR: Sleeping Outside

Part of staying healthy in the backcountry is getting enough sleep to restore your energy and rest your muscles and bones. It wasn't until I found myself atop a volcanic crater, in the middle of the night, with a popped sleeping pad and aching hips, that I truly realized how crucial it was to get my sleeping situation dialed. My problem on the craters was that all the pumice and rough rock really puts delicate, light sleeping gear to the test. I had always known that a ground cloth was probably a good idea....but was it essential? Purchasing a lightweight footprint would cost me upwards of $50...and it's not even a fun piece...you see my struggle. Yes, I was being stubborn, I'll admit it. Feeling defeated after my sleepless night, I took a trip to REI and roamed the isles looking for a more moderately priced footprint...yeah right. What I settled on was the super basic blue tarp for $3.50! Duh...why did that take me so long? (http://www.rei.com/product/798413) When I got home, I was able to cut it in half (customized size) and enough was left over so Tim could have one too. Two ground cloths for the price of one...and super light! Problem solved.

Another wonderfully cheap and durable ground cloth is Tyvek Home Wrap! It's really light and can be even cheaper than your basic tarp...try free! Tim had this great idea just as a house in our neighborhood was undergoing a remodel. He asked one of the workers if he could have a small scrap of Tyvek and they were more than generous. The Tyvek now serves as our tent footprint and is on it's second season with no signs of wearing. Goodbye sleepless nights and sore hips...hello sweet sleep relief. That's just the beginning of my sleep secrets....stay tuned for more!

Exploring: Southern Utah

Tim and I just got back from an adventure to the Southwest. From California to Nevada, Utah to Arizona and back we certainly saw our fair share of natural beauty. The trip was a mix of business and pleasure so after playing shows at the Zion Canyon Music Festival and Powellapalooza on Lake Powell, we set off to explore some of Southern Utah's magical slot canyons. Tim has been cruising around these parts for years so I was fortunate to have him as my

personal guide :). If you don't have someone experienced to go with, there are many things you can do to prepare for trips like this. By getting as much information as you can about the area you'll be traveling to (ie. expected weather, availability of water) and the possibility of flash floods altering routes (shifted boulders, log jams, etc.) you can prepare accordingly. Slot canyons should be avoided if there is any chance of expected/recent rain in the area or anywhere upstream. Most of these canyon trail heads are extremely remote and require driving miles down dirt roads. Be aware that any kind of precipitation can drastically change road conditions. The last thing you want is to get stuck in the middle of the desert! It's a good idea to always carry lots of water, extra food and a shovel in your car in case this happens. Talking to people that have had successful experiences is also a plus. If you don't know anyone who can give you sound advice, there are blogs and chat rooms discussing such things in great detail. (http://www.dankat.com/swhikes/content.htm, http://canyoneering-adventure.blogspot.com/)

Another option is using guide books. It is usually best to get recommended books from other backcountry travelers as there are many on the market that are less than adequate. When it comes to the Colorado Plateau (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Plateau), Tim and his brother Erik go to the Michael R. Kelsey collection of canyon and mountain guide books. Kelsey has 16 self published guide books (http://kelseyguidebooks.com/index.html). He gives hand drawn maps of each route, photographs, and history of the area in both technical and non-technical editions. While we find these books quite useful, there are those who criticize Kelsey for his boastful tone. One should know that he is an exceptionally fast hiker so his suggested time frames may not be realistic for the average hiker. With that said, he is certainly knowledgeable of these areas and suggests wonderful routes. We had a fabulous trip and found his information to be incredibly accurate. A word of advice: Always know the mileage of your route and factor in how quickly you travel to get the right hiking times for you. An average hiker in the canyons walks about 1 mile/hour. It's a good idea to know your own hiking pace in different terrains and fun to dial in your own procedures! And as always, tell someone in the front country where you are going and when you expect to be out!