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THE WANDERER
presents “Leave No Trace” Wisdom for Nature Lovers!
Welcome Home!
“The Wanderer” encourages conscious viewers to go out into the Nature around them, especially Public lands. “Public lands” are those owned by the government, by us, and they include National Forests, National Parks, as well as lands held by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Also, each state holds lands for the public, such as state parks and state forests. Every “Wanderer” should have a map of the lands around them, so when you find yours- look at all the land around where you live, your state, your county, and see where you can visit.
“Natural Wonders!” highlights lands held by the public that are prepared for groups of people. We do not promote places that are delicate or that visitors could easily damage. For all public lands, Please remember! These places are held in trust for us and our descendants, so take care of them! Here are some guidelines for visiting- Enjoy!
GUIDELINES FOR VISITING PUBLIC LANDS-
*Pack it in, Pack it out!- Carry out all refuse and garbage. NEVER dump it, and don’t bury it. Also, if you see garbage left by unthinking people visiting before you, take out some of there’s as well. It will make your visit more pleasurable.
*Be very conscious about fire dangers. Each place will have it’s FIRE RESTRICTIONS, (whether visitors can have open fires or not), and generally in the spring, early summer and fall, you are more likely to be able to have a fire. Often in the high season of summer, no fires are allowed. This is to protect the land, and you. Dry conditions can catch a fire in an instant! Take care of yourself, and the forests around you.
*If you need to “go to the bathroom” in an area without a facility, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR TOILET PAPER ON THE GROUND!!! When you go to find a spot to do your business, take a plastic or paper bag with you for your paper. Remember, Pack it OUT! If you have to go “number 2”, use a stick or small tool from your car (you have a tool box, don’t you?) and dig a 4 inch deep hole. Then cover it up and TAKE OUT YOUR PAPER. Thank you.
*Bring your own water. There is no guarantee nowadays that there will be water at campgrounds, or that the water there will be safe. If you know there is water where you are going, fine. Otherwise, take at least a gallon for each person per day you intend to camp. By the way, make sure you are self-contained, (food, utensils, shelter) for there is no guarantee of services available.
*PLEASE- Leave NO Trace! This means, when you leave, the place you have visited looks as it did (or better, if the previous visitors were messy) when you got there.
ADVICE FOR WANDERERS
*While Quynn talks about her travels as an individual, she does not travel alone. She travels with her partner. While she did travel alone for a number of years, she finds it feels safer to travel with another person. When she did travel alone, she wasn’t alone even then- she had her dog friend “Dylan”. Many men travel alone, but for all of us women, do what makes you comfortable. Traveling with another person can be very meaningful.
*Be Comfortable- Quynn thinks that many people, especially women, don’t camp often (or ever) because of a concern for comfort. “Roughing It” is admirable, but there are ways to make your experience comfortable enough to be able to stay out for a little longer.
-Make a nest- Your bed is the most important aspect of comfort. You will sleep in that nest for 4-8 hours, it should be soft enough for your head, shoulders, neck and hips. It is worth the space to have enough softness to be relaxed.
-Food- Take real food. Many are unsure about what you can cook out in the bush. Quynn cooks vegetables, and rice and coffee and many other things that satisfies her tastebuds. If you have a propane burner/stove (if not, they are a wonderfully prepared thing to have!), experiment with what you can cook while camping. (Remember spices!)
-Get out, even for one night- You will be amazed how refreshing it can be to get out under the stars, trees, or sky for just one night. To go somewhere for a Saturday and Sunday seems like a bit of effort to get out of the house/apartment, but you will be happy you did. SO GO!
Here are some websites by folks who know about “Leave No Trace” Camping... After you read them, so will you!
http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/price/recreation/labyrinth/camping.html
http://www.lnt.org/
http://wikitravel.org/en/Leave-no-trace_camping
http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/resources/leave%20no%20trace.aspx
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Falls/9200/leave_no_trace.html
http://www.skcbsa.org/council_conservation/LeaveNoTrace/LNTPrinciples.htm
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