10th Mountain Division Hut Association
Backcountry Exploration Program
LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES

More individuals and groups are seeking out the beauty of backcountry environments. This may be through a simple day trip, hut trip, or multi-day expedition. Whatever the purpose, the environment requires special minimum impact considerations. With a little care, the solitude and beauty - granted only by the backcountry - can be enjoyed by more backcountry travelers.

An abiding respect for wild places and their inhabitants can only come from responsibility and education. A list of rules and regulations cannot bring about this respect; rather, one must adopt an overall attitude of care and appreciation. Aldo Leopold might have stated it best in A Sand County Almanac: "A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise."

Please adhere to the following Leave No Trace principles. As we examine each of these areas in a little more detail, remember Leave No Trace practices are continually evolving and improving. Each trip and environment requires judgment and should add positively to your experience. You will enjoy each trip more knowing that you are minimizing your impact upon the land, its wildlife, and other visitors.

(Please note that the following principles are selected and adapted
specifically for hut users from current Leave No Trace principles.)

1. Plan ahead and prepare. Unnecessary impact in backcountry areas can be avoided with proper preparation. Inappropriate fires can be avoided if you know the route, have adequate time/travel plans, and are properly equipped. Teach the Leave No Trace principles before you go on the trip. You can avoid traffic, crowding, delays, and conflicts with other groups by scheduling your trip to the more remote huts during times of little use.

2. Travel lightly across the land. Skis, snowshoes, hiking boots and bicycles do a good job of traveling lightly. Stay on existing routes to and from the huts. In summer, travel single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy. Do not "lose" trash. Wax tube remnants, pieces of duct tape, Kleenex and energy bar wrappers seem to be especially troublesome.

3. Pack it in, pack it out. Prepackage meals so you eliminate excessive trash. Do not burn trash in the hut stoves. Carry out all excess food. Use the trash bags at the huts to bag and carry out all garbage.

4. Practice good sanitation. Each hut is provided with a toilet to concentrate and control human waste. Do not make yellow snow surprises around the hut. Hut users' health is at risk, because snow is often gathered around the hut to melt for drinking water. Enroute to the hut, please cover yellow snow and do the business away from the main trail. If you must use toilet paper, be sure to carry it out.

5. Leave what you find. Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. Do not build structures.

6. Respect wildlife. The disturbance of wildlife is a major concern. Wildlife can often be approached in the winter because of their attempts to conserve energy. Avoid the urge to approach or feed them. These animals often have enough trouble with loss of habitat and loss of genuine wilderness. They do not need increased pressures during the winter season when they normally escape human encroachment. Please remember that feeding wildlife compromises their ability to carry out their normal behaviors. If they are eating cheesy puffs, they are not eating pine nuts.

7. Reduce your impact on other visitors. Be courteous. Share the trail with other users. Portable radios, tape players, cell phones and lap tops bring immediate contact from the outside world to the remoteness of the huts. Many visitors are disturbed by these "intrusions." If you choose to use such items, do so unobtrusively.

For more information visit www.LNT.org and www.fs.fed.us (search for LNT Principles), or contact the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) LNT Program at 1-800-332-4100 for related books and materials.