Overlanding And Leave-No-Trace Ethics Question.

[Wanderlost]

Merri and I been involved in hiking, pack-packing, canoe camping, for 30+ years both as a hobby and profession. The ethics of “Leave No Trace” is blazed in our brains and are a mainstay of how we travel through, and enjoy our wild places.


Using a vehicle to access these places is fairly new to us though. We think the principals are basically the same but what vehicle specific “rules” should we paying close attention to?


Some things we’ve heard are;


Don’t park your vehicle in a midstream of a water crossing because oils will be washed off in the water.


Go around small puddles in the trail as to not make them larger.


Drive over fallen limbs instead of going around so you don’t make the trail wider.


Is there an “official” list of dos and don’ts for us to follow?


Is there an instructional website that we can learn from?


Merri and I would like to take on a more proactive role in this regard, through hands on instruction as well as through our videos. In the past we’ve been certified canoe instructors as well as Leave No Trace teachers. Is there a similar role in the Overlanding genre?


We’d very much like to hear your thoughts and ideas.
(Pic was taken on a canoe trip down the Upper Missouri River in Montana)

 

[MA_Trooper]

Great questions. TreadLightly is the best source for all these answers, in my opinion. As for the go around a puddle question. Proceed through it carefully. For the same reason you go over limbs. No need to create new trail.

http://www.treadlightly.org/images/education/kidsATV1.pdf

 

[johnforrest281]

Merri and I have been involved in hiking, backpacking, canoe camping, and Search Engine Optimization Consultancy for 30+ years, both as a hobby and profession.


Using a vehicle to access these places is fairly new to us though. We think the principals are basically the same but what vehicle specific “rules” should we paying close attention to?


Some things we’ve heard are;


Don’t park your vehicle in a midstream of a water crossing because oils will be washed off in the water.


Go around small puddles in the trail as to not make them larger.


Drive over fallen limbs instead of going around so you don’t make the trail wider.


Is there an “official” list of dos and don’ts for us to follow?


Is there an instructional website that we can learn from?


Merri and I would like to take on a more proactive role in this regard, through hands on instruction as well as through our videos. In the past we’ve been certified canoe instructors as well as Leave No Trace teachers. Is there a similar role in the Overlanding genre?


We’d very much like to hear your thoughts and ideas.
(Pic was taken on a canoe trip down the Upper Missouri River in Montana)

Merri and I have been into hiking, backpacking, and canoe camping for 30+ years, making Leave No Trace a must-use principle in how we explore and respect wild places.

 

[MidOH]

Go straight through the puddles. So the trail doesn't get wider.

Unless it's already a wide two lane

Should it get too deep? Simply put those branches and fallen trees in the puddle. Pack down with mud, and it'll dry solid.

Same as mountain bike trail repair.