Nowadays, more and more people are into outdoor sports. Riding a bike in the mountains on the weekend, going hiking or camping with friends—this kind of healthy lifestyle is becoming increasingly popular among young people. However, as more and more of us flock to the forests and mountains to enjoy nature, the natural ecosystem is also being impacted by our presence. Many cyclists and hikers are conscious about not littering while engaging in outdoor biking, hiking, or camping, but is that enough to be considered environmentally friendly? Probably not. Moreover, there are still quite a few cyclists and hikers with relatively weak environmental awareness, and the phenomenon of littering remains quite common. As the weather warms up and more people head outdoors, let’s revisit a principle that should be followed during outdoor activities—the LNT principle.
LNT stands for Leave No Trace, which means leaving no trace in the wilderness. In the 1960s, outdoor activities surged in the United States, and the number of people participating in outdoor sports and camping increased significantly. However, many participants' environmental awareness did not keep pace. By the 1970s, the impact and even damage caused by outdoor activities on natural environments and cultural resources had drawn attention from relevant authorities. From then on, these authorities began collaborating with professionals and civil organizations to educate the public on environmental principles that should be followed during outdoor activities. The LNT principle gradually took shape during this period. By 1994, the non-profit organization The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics was established to promote the LNT principle globally, educating outdoor enthusiasts on how to enjoy nature while protecting the environment.
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
Here, planning ahead and preparing refers not only to the usual pre-trip preparations but also includes some environmentally related advance planning.
Good preparation ensures you can have fun in the mountains without damaging the local natural environment.
1. Understand the relevant regulations and special considerations/restrictions of the place you plan to visit in advance. For example, if you’re going to cross the Qiangtang Plateau’s no-man’s land, you need to familiarize yourself with wildlife protection regulations in that area and know what activities are prohibited.
2. Be prepared to deal with extreme weather, dangers, and emergencies.
3. Plan your trip schedule in advance to avoid peak travel times. This is mainly to reduce the impact of human activity on the local ecosystem. A sudden influx of visitors over a short period may exceed the environmental capacity and disrupt the balance of the local ecosystem.
4. Travel in small groups. If you’re going out in a large group, split into teams of 4–6 people for the same reason.
5. Repack food to minimize waste. For instance, take back half-eaten chicken legs (just an example—I know you won’t have chicken legs outdoors anyway).
6. Use maps and compasses instead of marking trails by painting, stacking rocks, or setting up signs to minimize the impact on the local natural environment.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Some might translate this as "solid ground," but the translator believes "durable" or "resilient" surfaces are more appropriate. Although it may sound a bit odd, the natural environment does indeed "endure" human activity. To minimize impact, we should choose those surfaces that are most capable of withstanding use and causing the least disturbance.
Most popular spots already have established routes, so there’s no need to blaze new trails.
1. Durable surfaces refer to existing trails, campsites, rock formations, gravel areas, dry grasslands, or snow—areas where walking, biking, or camping will not significantly impact the local ecology.
2. Protect water sources by setting up camp at least 200 feet (about 60 meters) away from lakes or streams.
3. A good campsite is found, not made. There’s no need to create additional campsites—each new one means destroying more grassland.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
This is a basic principle. Many environmental campaigns in China focus heavily on waste disposal, yet many cyclists and hikers still overlook it during outdoor activities like biking or hiking.
Take all your trash with you—don’t leave others to clean up after your negligence.
1. Pack it in, pack it out. Check your campsite and surrounding areas for any leftover trash or food, and take all garbage and food scraps with you. This applies not only when camping but also during biking or hiking. Don’t think you can litter just because you’re tired—after all, that tiredness is “self-inflicted,” and it’s no excuse to harm the environment. (P.S.: “I’m tired” is the translator’s least favorite excuse. If you’re that tired, why not just stay home?)
2. Before doing your business, dig a small hole about 15–20 cm deep. Choose a spot at least 60 meters away from water sources, campsites, and trails. Remember to fill the hole in afterward and cover it with natural materials to blend in with the surroundings. Well then, let that “business” return to Mother Earth and quietly “turn into spring mud to nourish flowers.”
3. Pack out personal hygiene products after use, such as toilet paper used after doing your business. It might sound a bit gross, but imagine the sight of white toilet paper scattered around your campsite—and perhaps “packing it out” won’t seem so bad.
4. When bathing or washing dishes, carry water at least 60 meters away from water sources. You may use a small amount of biodegradable soap/cleaner. After washing, strain dishwater to remove food particles and scatter it widely. Dumping it in one concentrated spot may cause localized vegetation to wither.