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Leave No Trace is not a set of rules for perfectionists — it is seven practical principles developed with land managers to keep wild places open, healthy and welcoming for everyone who comes after you. In plain language they cover the decisions every hiker and camper makes: planning ahead, travelling and camping on surfaces that can take it, packing out what you pack in, disposing of waste properly, leaving what you find, minimising campfire impact, and respecting wildlife and other visitors. This guide explains each principle with the specifics that matter on the ground — where to bury waste and how deep, why 'it is just an apple core' is wrong, and why food storage protects both you and the animals. Small competent choices by everyone keep special places special.
The seven Leave No Trace principles in plain language — plan ahead, travel and camp on durable ground, pack out waste, and leave wild places exactly as you found them.
Plan ahead and prepare; travel and camp on durable surfaces; dispose of waste properly; leave what you find; minimise campfire impacts; respect wildlife; and be considerate of other visitors. Together they keep wild places healthy and open.
Use toilets where they exist. Otherwise bury solid waste 15-20 cm deep at least 60 m from water, camps and trails, and pack out toilet paper and hygiene products — they do not break down and animals dig them up.
No — food scraps of any kind are litter in most wild places. They take far longer to break down than people assume, attract animals into bad habits, and 'biodegradable' does not mean 'leave it here'. Pack it in, pack it out.
Every tool answers instantly from our own knowledge and calculators — no AI wait, no account. Honest estimates built on widely used outdoor rules of thumb (Naismith, hydration and pack-weight guidance), always safety-first and educational — never a substitute for local knowledge, training or judgement. In an emergency while out, call 911 (US/Canada) or your local emergency number. Want the deeper, personalised version? Each has a $2.95 full report.