Leave No Trace – the removal of traces in nature

Right from the beginning of life, we are given certain basic values ​​that are intended to guide our personal character in a very specific direction over time. Often introduced by our own parents, these include the rules that we should always clean up our mess or leave places in the condition we would like to find them ourselves. Such principles can also be applied very well in nature. Of course, in the middle of the forest, not much importance is placed on vacuuming the ground or removing dirt from the surrounding tree trunks and getting the feather duster out of our backpack. But the core of the statement remains and is often summarized with the term " Leave No Trace ". But what exactly is behind these words? Which areas are particularly alluded to here and is there even a set definition? WOLFGANGS has the most important information for you.

How can "Leave No Trace" best be summarized?

To best and most accurately summarize the exact definition of " Leave No Trace ," you should first translate the words into German. The translation " leave no trace" gives you a first-class understanding of the direction you need to take in order to be able to perfectly put this motto into practice on site.

Many people believe that this is just about exemplary handling of one's own waste in nature, but this is not the case. Although this short excerpt is also covered by Leave No Trace, there are many other aspects that can also have a major impact on nature .

How would you behave if good friends invited you to their homes? Would you just start smoking without first finding out where this would be allowed or not so bad for the residents? Leave No Trace means that whenever you are in nature, you behave in a way that will benefit nature in the long term.

With these behaviors you ensure a nature-friendly stay

Humans are capable of accomplishing many beautiful things in nature. On the other hand, a stay there also quickly brings with it the danger that existing, good things will be made worse or even destroyed. In the following section, we will summarize for you all the details that play a key role in adhering to "Leave No Trace".

Keep the environment clean in any way

We have already briefly discussed the issue of taking your personal rubbish with you. It is therefore obvious that this content is the number one solution when it comes to internalizing the Leave No Trace approach. However, it is not always just about the rubbish you produce yourself, which you keep in your backpack until you have the opportunity to dispose of it properly. It is also important to pay attention to places in nature that are already dirty and to remove them, even if it is not your fault.

As a rule, cleaning up during an outdoor trip is fairly straightforward, so you don't have to worry about spending several hours searching. It's simply about getting rid of rubbish that obviously catches your eye. On most hiking trails, for example, you'll come across rubbish bins placed along the side of the trail at regular intervals. Most of the time, you'll only be carrying the rubbish you've collected for a few hours and you'll be rid of it quickly.

Proper behavior after and during toileting

Of course, going to the toilet is the best option if you want to stay true to Leave No Trace . However, since you don't always have to go to the toilet exactly when you get the chance, you also have to consider other precautions and behaviors in order to be able to take this step properly later on during a stay in nature.

Doing your " little business " is problem-free and uncomplicated, as urine does not tend to destroy nature and you are therefore free to choose where to do it. If you have the opportunity, you should at least pour some water over the urine to dilute the remains a little.

The " big business ", on the other hand, requires a little more planning, as impetuous placement in nature can have many negative consequences. So keep the following rules in mind:

• Try to dig a cathole and take a small folding spade with you.
• When digging, make sure the depth is about 15 to 20 cm.
• Do your business far away from trails, water sources, sleeping areas, etc.
• Pay attention to the condition of the soil and, if possible, choose a dark and therefore nutrient-rich soil, as this decomposes feces better.

Since the feces can contain bacteria and germs, it is only logical that a certain distance should be kept from water sources or resting places . This way, no animals will be attracted by the smell and the stay can be without complications, especially if you plan to camp in the immediate vicinity. Also try to make sure you use toilet paper that is biodegradable and not perfumed. This will also dissolve in the cathole after you have dug it up after you have finished your work.

Other things to consider with "Leave No Trace"

In order to be able to implement the basic idea of ​​Leave No Trace in any form and to be aware of the content, you should also pay attention to the following points. Adhering to the above points is already a big step in the right direction, but you also need to focus on the following content:

• When washing up, make sure to use a biodegradable soap.
• If possible, try to use natural clothing materials as these cannot release microplastics into nature.
• Only take as much from nature as is absolutely necessary (berries, wood, etc.).
• Respect the animal inhabitants of the forest and behave accordingly.
• Be careful when handling fire and only use existing fire pits.
• When camping overnight, try to focus on campsites where other people have already spent the night before.
• If possible, use a tree shelter if you want to sleep in a hammock.
• Have conversations at a natural volume.
• Develop your own sense of what to do next so that you can independently identify important points that go beyond the list we have compiled.

What at first sounds like " strict rules " turns out, at second glance, to be content that most of us already implement in this way. However, sometimes it is important to refresh or expand on existing knowledge with new points. The points summarized on the topic of " Leave No Trace " are all quick and easy to implement and basically do not require a great deal of time to get used to.