Leave No Trace- what are three things that you do?

[whiskeylover]

This probably isn't the right place to ask Cocksy, as most of Tassie's bushwalking destinations are fuel stove only. Those that allow fires usually have a communal firepit and plenty of deadfall lying around. But yes that is the right method for low impact cooking fires - I say cooking because large fires using large amounts of wood for "atmosphere", I personally find annoying and unnecessary. We even came across people carrying wood around the NT on top of their 4x4s in 40c heat so they could have a camp fire - I don't think they realise this also transports insects etc., sometimes long distances.

[Cocksy_86]

Just figured it was related to the Leave No Trace topic as it's a question about fire scars and not leaving any trace of them. As the site isn't just targetted at Tasmanians but Australians, I thought I could still ask it.

And as for the value of morale in a group, well I guess that depends on the person because I consider it necessary.

This is what really annoys me. People using dead wood lying around the place even for communal firepits. That wood is necessary for the surrounding flora and ecosystem.

[sailfish]

My son uses a Hennessy hammock, that’s pretty much as low impact as it gets. They have many advantages over a tent (google it). I still opted for a tent. It isn’t as versatile but I like to avoid camping under trees if I can.

Interesting topic. I never take a trowel or trekking staff, plenty of handy sticks just lying around. The stick is there already and is left to rot there naturally as opposed to the energy/pollution etc involved in manufacture transport, sale etc of these items. I recall one walk where I picked up a trekking staff rubber foot. I wonder how many get left behind. Just interested in peoples views on this.

I like metho stoves, partly because the windshield stand can be used to contain a small twig fire when the fuel runs out. That helps safety and disposal of the ash etc. Beside the fuel is pretty clean and the container is low energy recyclable.


Regards,
Ken

[geoskid]

Just wanted an open discussion about dealing with pooing and exhaustion. Thanks.

Thanks for your honesty Cocksy - appreciated. Going by other threads here there are all sorts of problems to do with bushwalkers, (they walked there did'nt they), doing the wrong thing.(Rhona). I think it comes down to where you are when nature calls. If it has high traffic, obviously do what you would like other bushwalkers to do. If you are in an off track area where your droppings will be found in a fossilised state in a future millenia - use exhaustion as an excuse, if you need an excuse.

[geoskid]

Just figured it was related to the Leave No Trace topic as it's a question about fire scars and not leaving any trace of them. As the site isn't just targetted at Tasmanians but Australians, I thought I could still ask it.

And as for the value of morale in a group, well I guess that depends on the person because I consider it necessary.

This is what really annoys me. People using dead wood lying around the place even for communal firepits. That wood is necessary for the surrounding flora and ecosystem.

Sure you can bring it up, glad you did. I am not a purist, just in case anyone was in doubt - But I am definately a realist.
Leave No Trace is sensible as well as considerate. Leave a site as you would like to find it - ie - don't spoil the illusion for the next party that thinks they are camping where no person has ever been. Does'nt matter what you did there, just Leave No Trace. Honesty about small fires in fuel stove only areas? - Not on a public forum
Dead wood lying on the ground necessary for the surrounding flora and ecosystem? Depends where you are walking.
I find it's best to tow the Party line and be true to yourself

[sailfish]

Honesty about small fires in fuel stove only areas? - Not on a public forum
Dead wood lying on the ground necessary for the surrounding flora and ecosystem?

I just assumed comments about fires related to their legal use.
I don't think anyone suggested using fires in fuel stove only areas.

Regards,
Ken

[walkinTas]

Despite my signature I too like to think my approach is more one of being a realist rather than a purist. Leaving things the way you found them just makes sense to me. You are really leaving things the way you would like to find them next time you visit.

IMHO we should all stop and think about the things we do in the bush and consider, "what if the next twenty people who come here do the same thing as me". You move just 10 rocks and make a fire pit on a track somewhere and collect just two arm loads of wood. You do your business on the side of the track. The next twenty people do the same. That's 200 rocks moved, 20 fire scars, 40 arm loads of wood burnt and 20 toilet scenes along that track. Yuk! Soon there would be nowhere worth visiting except the most remote locations.

You walk through, you leave nothing but footprints you take nothing but pictures. The next twenty people do the same. Its totally sustainable.

[north-north-west]

Wot 'e sed ^

[Liamy77]

probably cause lighting fires is NOT low impact therefore not relevant......
if ya dont wanna dig a hole try eating your diarrhea tablets... or my mates last damper effort - should bind ya up for at least a few days!
me? - i just convert it to gas and talk it out.... dunno how well it works though as my missus informs me regularly that despite my best efforts i am still often "full of ... it"


On a serious point though... if you cant be buggered to dig a small hole for poo are you trying to tell us you will dig a much bigger one for your camp fire? - Hmmm i am doubtful, sorry. ....i wont say what my missus called you but it was not pretty...

you can make a mini fireplace with a can /tin (only uses small twigs) and sit it on a rock or sandy water area - where there is no vegetation to kill and the creek will wash away ash.... also let the fire burn out so that the fuel is reduced to ash not charcoal / partially burnt wood...
btw feel free to gimme hell as i have done to you too

[Liamy77]

No soap, no washing, bicarb instead of toothpaste.
No campfires.
Pack it all out - including OPR (Other Peoples' Rubbish).
Nag at those who don't do the same . . .

I do use toothpaste - just swollow it not spit it out... (yeah i realise what i just said - you fellow dirty minded folk)!

[abowen]

What are the three things that I do to leave no trace? It would be washing in water only (usually a hand towel bath) - no chemicals. I occasionally use citronella oil heavily diluted in water and soaked in a chux to wash - this keeps the mozzies and flies away and doesn't smell too bad. I often carry the expensive dehy food packs which just use boiling water - no washing and therefore no food residue left. I also clean my tent pegs, tent poles, boots and walking poles after every trip - I hate seeing places where phytophera has taken hold.
Cheers
Andrew

[Son of a Beach]

Some posts from this topic have been split off into a new Low Impact Living topic, which discusses environmentally sustainable living in ways that are not particularly bushwalking related.