Walk on established trails. Do not create your own winding zigzag paths up the mountain, as this causes damage. On existing grassy paths, move in a single file and walk straight through muddy areas—don’t go around them—so the path doesn’t widen or multiply. When traveling through areas without paths, tread lightly and seek routes on firm ground to minimize harm to vegetation. If you must pass through plant-covered areas without established paths, spread out instead of walking in a line. This causes less damage and is less likely to result in destruction.
Camping sites
Try to camp on barren, plant-free ground in well-equipped camping areas. If no such facilities are available, snow or rock surfaces are the next best options. Avoid camping on grass; if you must, remember that some moss-like grasses can be tougher than trees. If you do camp on grass, be extremely gentle and stay no more than one or two nights in the same spot.
Campfires
Cook using camp stoves designed for the purpose—do not make open fires. Gathering firewood tramples the terrain, creates unnecessary paths, and damages the local ecology.
Washing
Wash items away from tents and water sources. Use as little biodegradable soap as possible—or none at all—as it can still harm the ecosystem. Never wash directly in streams. Minimize damage near waterways; using water containers reduces the need to return to the stream for water, thereby lessening impact.
Wildlife
Do not feed wild animals—whether intentionally or by leaving leftover food. Leave pets at home.
Waste
Pack out all your trash along with any litter left by previous hikers.
Properly dispose of human waste.
Hiking in groups
Do not follow too closely—give the person ahead some space, ideally three to five steps apart. Don’t stick so close you’re right on their heels. Likewise, don’t fall too far behind, or you’ll lose contact with the group or keep making others wait. When pushing aside branches in the path, always look back before letting go to avoid hitting the person behind you. Call out “Watch out for the branch!” to alert those following. It’s best to go around or duck under branches unless you must grab one for a light belay. When stopping to tie shoelaces, adjust your pack, take photos, or admire the view, step aside—ideally, stand above where others will pass. When passing others, ask permission and choose a good spot to overtake; don’t elbow your way through. When meeting an oncoming group, be polite. By tradition, the descending group steps aside to let the ascending group pass without breaking stride. Pace should be set to reach checkpoints smoothly without exhausting slower members. If someone is struggling, adjust the group's pace so they don’t fall too far behind. Under no circumstances should anyone be left behind, whether at the front or the rear. Wait for the last person at rest stops and give them time to recover. Try letting the slowest member lead to set the pace—a motivating strategy that often helps them speed up. For long hikes or descents without route-finding concerns, designate a meeting point. Assign the most experienced hiker to lead or bring up the rear, allowing the group to hike at their own optimal pace. Be cheerful and dependable. Be a hiking companion everyone enjoys.
Hiking on mountain trails: points to note
Do not step over the edges of the trail to protect the vegetation on either side—this means moving in a single file. Tread lightly. The transition zones between mud and snow are especially fragile, and muddy areas in spring or late autumn rainy seasons contain more moisture and are more vulnerable, so proceed with extra caution. Avoid taking zigzag shortcuts to protect plants and prevent soil erosion. Keep the trail clear and pick up litter. Rest in resilient areas, not fragile plant zones. Admire flowers with your eyes or take photos instead of picking them or collecting samples. Avoid damaging riverbanks or stream edges to reduce soil erosion. When doing off-trail hiking, opt for gravel areas and steer clear of delicate grass. When walking through grassy areas without a trail, have team members spread out to follow different routes to minimize damage to the grass.
