My favorite outdoor related quote comes from John Muir, the father of our national park system and founder of the Sierra Club. He said, "When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world." This quote means more to me today than it did twenty years ago and will undoubtedly mean more to me still as I spend an increasing amount of time out of doors. Muir is telling us something of great importance - we are attached to nature too. Therefore, how we think and act while visiting wild places today will ultimately determine the amount of enjoyment by outdoor enthusiasts for ever more. So how should we think and act?
A code of conduct exists for outdoor enthusiasts. It is called the Principles of Leave No Trace. This set of best practices was designed specifically to ensure our outdoor recreational activities are sustainable over long periods of time. Leave No Trace is an organization dedicated to educating people on how to minimize their impacts while enjoying the outdoors. Here are their seven principles.
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
BackCountry Toys is a supporter of Leave No Trace and we encourage all outdoor enthusiasts to do likewise. To learn how to put these principles into action, you may find more information on their website at www.lnt.org or on our website as well.
Over the years, I have tugged on countless things in nature. I have found out they are indeed attached to everything else - including me. As outdoor enthusiasts we understand the importance of our relationship with the backcountry and we are keenly aware of how our attitudes and our actions determine the long term viability of these wild places. Here is another of my favorite quotes. This one is by Michel Montaigne. "Let us permit Nature to take her own way; she better understands her own affairs than we." Use this information and you'll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!
Chuck Fitzgerald is the owner of Arizona based BackCountry Toys, an online specialty store with the "Best Gear Out There" and dedicated to helping outdoor enthusiasts to "Get It Right The First Time" with timely educational information. Please visit http://www.BackCountryToys.com to find great gear and to receive the Fact & Tips e-newsletter, "FreshAir." (800) 316-9055.
Going on a gorilla safari must rank as one of... Read More
Recently we stayed at a state campground in Michigan near... Read More
The Usamabara Mountains are very special mountains, often that tired... Read More
WHAT TO SEE, TO DO AND WHERE: Mount McKinley is... Read More
Hello Again,Today we will be talking about meal planning. Meals... Read More
We've all heard about whalewatching from boats or shore, and... Read More
Once described in a 1950 article as "The Town That... Read More
It seems like the most adventurous thing in the world.... Read More
So unknown is this treasure of Lake Jipe not many... Read More
How to get the most out of your trekking poles... Read More
There were four of us on that first Tom Sawyer... Read More
Mt. Washington Valley Trails & Mt Washington - NHThe highest... Read More
Are walking sticks longer than trekking poles? What about hiking... Read More
Sun, Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa?... Read More
If you're looking to spot a whale, the first few... Read More
This truly beautiful country at the southern tip of dark... Read More
Paul Scott Mower once said, "There is nothing like walking... Read More
Pictures of a massive dead Great White shark on the... Read More
When you look at a river, what do you see?... Read More
If you you find yourself saying "Hey, that's a good... Read More
Important information about camping stoves...What type of camping, hiking, or... Read More
A Botswana safari is an excellent trip to undertake because... Read More
Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest mountain, after Kilimanjaro. It... Read More
Prevention is your best protection against lightning. Be sure to... Read More
I stood at the observation point on the balcony at... Read More
Have you ever seen an authentic Japanese garden? Well, I... Read More
Yuma, Arizona. In the winter, it's the best town in... Read More
"Do you know about Wal-Mart camping?" We didn't know, but... Read More
Bryce Whitmore designed the modern whitewater inflatable pontoon boat, and... Read More
The call of the wild can be seductive. The exquisite... Read More
Have you ever had a backpacking trip that was a... Read More
Boston is a great destination city for a vacation. There's... Read More
Eaton Canyon Natural Area Nature Center, entrance, 1750 N. Altadena... Read More
The owner can attempt small inflatable boat repair if factory-gluing... Read More
Do you think the only thing to do in Las... Read More
Most people, who go on a family beach vacation, take... Read More
Oregon's Rogue River is one of the nation's most beautiful.... Read More
Knowing a few edible wild plants can make your next... Read More
Every year around 40 million visitors come to Florida for... Read More
When it comes to birding, Acadia National Park is a... Read More
WHAT TO FISH AND WHERE: Alaska offers some of the... Read More
Bryce Whitmore designed the modern whitewater inflatable pontoon boat, and... Read More
When you're on the Internet looking for discount camping gear,... Read More
"Do you know about Wal-Mart camping?" We didn't know, but... Read More
I stood at the observation point on the balcony at... Read More
Have you ever seen an authentic Japanese garden? Well, I... Read More
As any keen mountain biker will know, there are some... Read More
Recently we stayed at a state campground in Michigan near... Read More
Contrary to what many think, ultralight backpacking is not just... Read More
The Kenya safari circuit is one of the best in... Read More
An African honeymoon safari is the perfect way to celebrate... Read More
Scotland has taken its place as the new Mecca for... Read More
Mt. Washington Valley Trails & Mt Washington - NHThe highest... Read More
Prevention is your best protection against lightning. Be sure to... Read More
The kind of things you pack when you go on... Read More
Sun, Sand and Surf ? an apt description for Goa?... Read More
The Udzungwa Mountains National park was created primarily for the... Read More
There are two types of used inflatable boats for sale... Read More
Croatia has quickly become Europe's hottest destination, and for good... Read More
The first recorded mapping of what is now Koombana Bay... Read More
So unknown is this treasure of Lake Jipe not many... Read More
When you search online for a camping gear outlet you... Read More
If you've been dreaming of traveling the highways in your... Read More
Welcome to Bragg Creek! Bragg Creek is located in the... Read More
Packing in general can be a hassle. But when going... Read More
Hawaii snorkeling is a fun activity available to almost any... Read More
Outdoors |