With the continuous development of outdoor activities in China, outdoor pursuits such as hiking, camping, rock climbing, and rafting have become fashionable fitness activities embraced by people of all ages. The outdoor community is also becoming more diverse and widespread. However, varying levels of environmental awareness have raised concerns about ecological impacts, leading to growing tensions between outdoor activities and environmental conservation.
To address this conflict and guide the sustainable growth of outdoor activities in China, we introduce an important and widely recognized principle—Leave No Trace, or the LNT principle.
In the United States, from 1965 to 1994, the number of outdoor enthusiasts grew sixfold. A survey by the Outdoor School showed that in 1965, 9.9 million Americans participated in hiking, a number that increased to 28 million by 1977. During this growth, many of the same issues faced by China’s outdoor sector today emerged: alpine lakes polluted by human waste, trails eroded knee-deep, and campsites stripped bare of vegetation, often littered with trash. These challenges left land managers in a dilemma, balancing visitor needs with environmental protection.
In the early 1980s, the U.S. Forest Service began incorporating Leave No Trace (LNT) principles into other outdoor education programs.
While measures like closing overused areas, implementing visitor limits, and designating specific campsites became key management tools, environmental education proved to be a more effective long-term solution. Countless low-impact education programs were taught by land management agencies, popularizing slogans like “Pack it in, pack it out,” “Tread lightly,” and “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.”
In 1994, the nonprofit organization Leave No Trace, Inc., based in Boulder, Colorado, took on the role of coordinating LNT efforts, issuing certifications, and raising funds. Through years of dedicated work and proper guidance, the Leave No Trace principles evolved into essential guidelines widely followed by outdoor enthusiasts.
Key Principles of the LNT Principle
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
All outdoor activities require advance planning. Understand relevant environmental regulations, prepare for potential scenarios, and choose appropriate gear accordingly. Familiarize yourself with the route characteristics of the area and plan your path and campsite in advance. Estimate the amount of food needed based on the itinerary, and minimize packaging by consolidating items where possible to reduce waste. In short, plan ahead and prepare by being informed, compliant, efficient, and waste-conscious.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
In outdoor activities, taking shortcuts or creating new paths to save time or effort is discouraged. The LNT principle advises staying on established trails at all times—avoiding shortcuts, not cutting switchbacks, and traveling in single file. When trail conditions are good and packs are light, consider wearing softer-soled shoes to reduce ground impact.
When hiking off-trail, choose durable surfaces like exposed rock or gravel slopes to minimize environmental damage. Spreading out while walking in such areas helps reduce impact.
Campsite selection is crucial for minimizing environmental harm. Camp at least 50 meters away from water sources to prevent contamination. On popular routes, use existing, well-worn, hard-packed sites to concentrate impact. In remote areas, choose previously unused spots rather than slightly impacted ones. If using an existing campsite with signs of prior use (like fire rings), opt for it to avoid creating new damage. Avoid heavily eroded sites with exposed roots; let overused campsites recover.
Ideal camping surfaces include rock, gravel, and sand due to their durability. Dry grass is another good option, while lush forest floors with thick leaf cover are more vulnerable.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
“The key principle is: pack out everything you pack in.” Preserving the natural state of campsites reflects basic outdoor ethics. For human waste, dig a cathole 10–20 cm deep, at least 60 meters from water, campsites, or trails—a widely accepted method. Think carefully about toilet paper: nature offers eco-friendly alternatives, but if you must use it, pack it out.
For food waste, minimize packaging before your trip and opt for reusable items. Plan portions to avoid excess. Use biodegradable soap sparingly, and never wash directly in water sources. Dispose of wastewater in a hole 25–30 cm deep, at least 50 meters from water or campsites. Pack out all food scraps, even fruit peels and cores.
When nature calls, dig a cathole to bury waste, located 60 meters from water, campsites, or trails. Pack out used toilet paper rather than burying or burning it to prevent secondary pollution.
Leave your campsite cleaner than you found it. Pack out all trash, including others’ leftovers. Use a single bag for waste. Wear lightweight, soft-soled shoes (like sandals or running shoes) to minimize soil compaction, and opt for a lighter tent over bulky canvas ones. Before leaving a pristine area, fluff up flattened grass and fill in any tent stake holes.
Even breathtaking mountain views lose their magic when litter mars the landscape.
4. Leave What You Find
Preserve nature’s authenticity. Wear soft-soled, lightweight footwear (like sandals, slippers, or running shoes) to reduce ground impact. Never touch or step on cultural, historical, or man-made structures without permission. Discourage picking plants or climbing artificial rock walls or structures. When setting up camp, avoid digging trenches or altering waterways. Leave the site as inviting as you found it, with minimal disruption.
5. Minimize Campfire Impact
Avoid campfires whenever possible. Fires cause lasting damage—scars that widen and never fully heal, with soil impact reaching up to 10 cm deep. Use a camp stove for cooking, dress warmly, and rely on a good sleeping bag instead of making a fire.
If you must have a fire, ensure it’s allowed and outside fire season. Use only fallen wood, not live trees—preferably sticks no thicker than your wrist. Build fires in existing fire rings, keeping them small and fully extinguished.
Smoking is discouraged in the outdoors. Beyond tobacco’s health risks, cigarette butts—made of non-biodegradable plastic—contain toxic chemicals like lead, mercury, arsenic, and acetone. If you smoke, do so away from others and pack out butts with other trash.
VI. Respect Wildlife
During outdoor activities, we should respect the habits and habitats of wildlife, coexisting peacefully with them. It's important to protect water sources—the lifeblood for animals—whether or not you see wildlife. Understand that your brief visit will inevitably impact local wildlife. When setting up camp near a water source, try to make only one trip to and from the water to minimize disturbance. Use a collapsible water container instead of carrying water in pots back and forth, as this reduces the number of trips and your interference with wildlife.
Also, never feed wildlife. No matter how cute they may seem, feeding wildlife is inappropriate. Once animals lose their natural survival skills, they are the ones who suffer. At campsites, store all food and scented items in secure locations to prevent wildlife from developing the habit of visiting camps.
Observe wildlife from a distance, avoid feeding them, and coexist peacefully.
VII. Consider Other Outdoor Enthusiasts
Before starting outdoor activities, take time to understand the local customs and culture, respect the traditions of local ethnic groups, and be considerate of others' habits. Develop good practices. Ensure that entertainment in camping areas doesn’t disturb others, and minimize noise and visual intrusions. Do everything you can to maintain the tranquility of nature and the campsite, as this is what draws most outdoor lovers to nature.
Respect and care for nature, maintaining ecological balance—this is our undeniable responsibility as outdoor enthusiasts. Whether in the city or the outdoors, promote environmental protection, start with yourself, and influence others through your actions. Spread the right environmental values so future generations can enjoy the same blue skies and green waters.
In outdoor activities, leave nothing but footprints; take nothing but photos and fresh air.