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Leave No Trace 101

I have attended two Leave No Trace training classes: a weekend Leave No Trace trainer taught through the Green Mountain Club and a week long Master Educator class taught by the Appalachian Mountain Club through the Adirondack Mountain Club.

In both classes the participants were required to teach some of the concepts. What struck [...]

Winter Poo – Pack it out

What to do, with your winter poo? In spring, the poo, once hidden from view, becomes exposed and soon contaminates nearby waterways.

In winter, it’s best to pack it out, otherwise, you’re leaving behind frozen waste for the next visitors. Leave No Trace (LNT)  outlines three options for solid waste, in order of preference.

Pack [...]

Freezer Bag Cooking

Freezerbag cooking is ideal for winter camping.  It’s lightweight because you prepare all your dried ingredients  at home and prepackage them in Ziploc bags.

You only need a single pot to boil water in, enough fuel to boil the water, and a fabric cozy for your bagged meal (a spare garment will work in [...]

Learn Leave No Trace Principles On Your Desktop

Leave No Trace (LNT) has an online awareness course that you can take using your computer.  The course

Covers the seven principles of LNT Helps recognize visitor created impacts in recreational areas Describes the history of LNT and the mission of the Center for Outdoor Ethics Identifies key programs through the LNT Center [...]

Cold Camping Tips from the Boy Scouts

Those industrious boy scouts from Troop 664 have put together a collection of cold camping tips in the form of a flip card.  Side 1 covers 1st aid and Do’s and Don’ts.  Side 2 covers Cooking, Campcraft, LNT and a windchill chart.  Lots of information in one place.

Follow our occasional Tweets @WinterCampers [...]

LNT Principle #2: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Surface Durability – The concept of durability is an important one for back country travelers to understand. Natural surfaces respond differently to backcountry travel.  Durability refers to the ability of surfaces  to withstand wear or remain in a stable condition. The effect of travel across ice and snow is temporary, making snow and ice a [...]

LNT Principle #1: Plan Ahead and Prepare

Poor planning often results in miserable campers and damage to natural and cultural resources.  Trip planning important is important as it:

It helps ensure the safety of groups and individuals. It prepares you to Leave No Trace and minimizes resource damage. It contributes to accomplishing trip goals safely and enjoyably. It increases self-confidence and opportunities [...]

DEC Camping Regulations in NYS Adirondacks

The DEC Regulations, specifically the DEC State Land Use Regulations, provide guidelines on where to camp in New York State’s Adirondack Park. Where to camp in the Adirondacks on State Land is actually very easy. You may stay in most lean-tos except those designated as “day use only” shelters, and there should be a sign [...]

Campsite Selection Tips

Selecting a comfortable camp site is a useful skill for all campers, regardless of the season. While orientated towards three season backpackers, here are ten things SectionHiker looks for when evaluating different camping locations:

1. Is the site close to a water source? 2. Is your campsite safe  from hazards such as rock falls, [...]

Fire Platform at Tirrell Pond

WinterCampers posted an entry about  Esquire Magazine’s Essential Skills for Men focusing on their tips for building a fire.  Our point was that they missed the importance of a proper platform for the fire.  Whether you are trying to promote Leave No Trace techniques and establishing a protection layer between the fire and the ground [...]