Tread Lightly and American Adventurist announce official partnership

Top 10 ways to minimize impact when camping

:camping

  • Whenever possible, use existing campsites. Camp on durable surfaces and place tents on a non-vegetated area. Do not dig trenches around tents.
  • Camp a least 200 feet from water, trails and other campsites.
  • Pack out what you pack in. Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left by others.
  • Repackage snacks and food in baggies. This reduces weight and the amount of trash to carry out.
  • For cooking, consider using a camp stove instead of a campfire. Camp stoves leave less of an impact on the land.
  • Observe all fire restrictions. If you must build a fire—use existing fire rings, build a mound fire, or use a fire pan. Use only fallen timber for campfires. Do not cut standing trees. Clear a 10-foot diameter area around the site by removing any grass, twigs, leaves and extra firewood. Also make sure there aren’t any tree limbs or flammable objects hanging overhead.
  • Allow the wood to burn down to a fine ash, if possible. Pour water on the fire and drown all embers until the hissing sound stops. Stir the campfire ashes and embers until everything is wet and cold to the touch. If you don’t have water, use dirt.
  • Detergents, toothpaste and soap harm fish and other aquatic life. Wash 200 feet away from streams and lakes. Scatter gray water so it filters through the soil.
  • In areas without toilets, use a portable latrine if possible, and pack out your waste. If you don’t have a portable latrine, you may need to bury your waste. Human waste should be disposed of in a shallow hole six to eight inches deep at least 200 feet from water sources, campsites or trails. Cover and disguise the hole with natural materials. It is recommended to pack out your toilet paper. High use areas may have other restrictions, so check with a land manager.
  • Following a trip, wash your gear and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species.

TREAD LIGHTLY!’S TIPS FOR RESPONSIBLE CAMPING


TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY


  • Travel responsibly on designated roads, trails or areas.
  • While traveling to your favorite camping spot, stay on designated roads and trails.
  • Always practice minimum impact travel techniques for your mode of transportation.
  • Go over obstacles, not around. Don’t create new routes or expand existing trails.
  • Cross streams only at fords where the road or trail crosses the stream.
  • If hiking on a trail, walk single file to avoid widening the trail.
  • If there are no trails and hiking is permitted, spread out in open country. Spreading out, rather than following each other’s footsteps, disperses impact and avoids creating a new trail.
  • If possible, travel on hardened surfaces such as gravel, rock or in sand washes.
  • Comply with all signs and respect barriers.
  • Buddy up with two or three campers, reducing vulnerability if you have an accident or breakdown.

RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS


  • Respect the rights of others, including private property owners, all recreational trail users, campers and others so they can enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed.
  • Be considerate of others on the road, trail and campground.
  • Keep noise to a minimum especially in the early morning and evening hours.
  • Be considerate of other campers’ privacy, keep your distance and avoid traveling through their campsites.
  • Camping supplies in natural colors blend with natural surroundings and are less intrusive to other campers’ experiences.
  • Leave gates as you find them. If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner(s).
  • Proceed with caution around horses and pack animals. Sudden, unfamiliar activity may spook animals possibly causing injury to animals, handlers and others on the trail.

EDUCATE YOURSELF


  • Educate yourself prior to a trip by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes, and knowing how to operate your equipment safely.
  • Obtain a map (motor vehicle use map where appropriate) of your destination and determine which areas are open to your type of travel.
  • Make a realistic plan and stick to it. Always tell someone of your travel plans.
  • Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures, and permit requirements.
  • Check the weather forecast for your destination. Plan clothing, equipment and supplies accordingly.
  • Carry a compass or a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and know how to use it.
  • Prepare for the unexpected by packing emergency items.
  • When encountering horses on the trail, move to the side of the trail and stop. Ask the rider the best way to proceed. If riding an OHV turn off your engine, remove your helmet, and speak. You want the horse to know you are human.
  • Keep your pets under control; this protects your pet, other recreationists and wildlife.

AVOID SENSITIVE AREAS


  • Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams. Stay on designated routes.
  • Other sensitive habitats to avoid, unless on designated routes, include cryptobiotic soils of the desert, tundra, and seasonal nesting or breeding areas.
  • Do not disturb historical, archeological, or paleontological sites.
  • Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance.
  • Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in designated Wilderness Areas.

DO YOUR PART


  • Do your part by modeling appropriate behavior, leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species and restoring degraded areas.
  • Pack out what you pack in. Carry a trash bag and pick up litter left by others. Repackage snacks and food in baggies. This reduces weight and the amount of trash to carry out.
  • Whenever possible, use existing campsites. Camp on durable surfaces and place tents on a non-vegetated area. Do not dig trenches around tents.
  • Camp at least 200 feet from water and other campsites.
  • In backcountry areas not open to vehicles, camp at least 200 feet from trails.
  • For cooking, use a camp stove. They are always preferable to a campfire in terms of impact on the land.
  • Observe all fire restrictions. If you must build a fire, use existing fire rings, build a mound fire or use a fire pan. For campfires, use only fallen timber. Gather firewood well away from your camp. Do not cut standing trees. Let your fire burn down to a fine ash. Ensure your fire is completely extinguished.
  • Do not wash in streams and lakes. Detergents, toothpaste and soap harm fish and other aquatic life. Wash 200 feet away from streams and lakes. Scatter wash water so it filters through the soil.
  • In areas without toilets, use a portable latrine if possible and pack out your waste, otherwise it’s necessary to bury your waste. Human waste should be disposed of in a shallow hole (6”-8” deep) at least 200 feet from water sources, campsites or trails. Cover and disguise the hole with natural materials. Pack out your toilet paper.
  • High-use areas may have other restrictions so check with a land manager.
  • Take a small bag and pack out your pet’s waste especially in front-country areas or if it is left on or near trails or trailhead areas.
  • Before and after a trip, wash your gear and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species.
  • Build a trail community. Get to know other types of Adventurists that share your favorite trail.
 
Responsible Four Wheeling

[h=5]TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY[/h]
  • Travel responsibly on designated roads, trails or areas.
  • Travel only in areas open to four-wheel drive vehicles.
  • For your safety, travel straight up or down hills.
  • Drive over, not around obstacles to avoid widening the trail.
  • Straddle ruts, gullies and washouts even if they are wider than your vehicle.
  • Cross streams only at designated fording points, where the road crosses the stream.
  • When possible, avoid mud. In soft terrain, go easy on the gas to avoid wheel spin, which can cause rutting.
  • Don’t turn around on narrow roads, steep terrain or unstable ground. Back up until you find a safe place to turn around.
  • Stop frequently and scout ahead on foot. To help with traction, balance your load and lower tire pressure to where you see a bulge (typically not less than 20 pounds).
  • Know where the differential or the lowest point on your vehicle is. This will help in negotiating terrain and prevent vehicle damage resulting in oil and fluid spills on the trail.
  • Maintain a reasonable distance between vehicles.
  • Comply with all signs and respect barriers.
  • Travel with a group of two or more vehicles. Driving solo can leave you vulnerable if you have an accident or breakdown. Designate meeting areas in case of separation.
  • Choose the appropriate winch for your vehicle size.
  • Attach towing cable, tree strap, or chain as low as possible to the object being winched. Let the winch do the work; never drive the winch.
  • When winching always inspect your equipment, use the right winch for the situation, find a good secure anchor and never winch with less than five wraps of wire rope around the drum.
  • When using a tree as an anchor, use a wide tree strap to avoid damaging the trunk of the tree.
  • Don’t mix driving with alcohol or drugs.

[h=5]RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS[/h]Respect the rights of others, including private property owners, all recreational trail users, campers and others so they can enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed.

  • Be considerate of others on the road or trail.
  • Leave gates as you find them. If crossing private property, be sure to ask permission from the landowner(s).
  • Yield the right of way to those passing you traveling uphill. Yield to mountain bikers, hikers and horses.
  • When encountering horses on the trail, move to the side of the trail, stop, turn off your engine, remove your helmet and speak—you want the horse to know you are human. Ask the rider the best way to proceed.
  • Proceed with caution around horses and pack animals. Sudden, unfamiliar activity may spook animals—possibly causing injury to animals, handlers and others on the trail.
  • Do not idly ride around in camping, picnicking, trailhead or residential areas.
  • Keep speeds low around crowds and in camping areas.
  • Keep the noise and dust down.

[h=5]EDUCATE YOURSELF[/h]Educate yourself prior to your trip by obtaining travel maps and regulations from public agencies, planning for your trip, taking recreation skills classes and knowing how to operate your equipment safely.

  • Obtain a map, (motor vehicle use map where appropriate) of your destination and determine which areas are open to off-highway vehicles.
  • Make a realistic plan and stick to it. Always tell someone of your travel plans.
  • Contact the land manager for area restrictions, closures and permit requirements.
  • Check the weather forecast before you go. Prepare for the unexpected by packing necessary emergency items.
  • Buckle up! Seatbelts are mandatory. Know your limitations. Watch your time, your fuel and your energy.
  • Take an off-highway drivers course to learn more about negotiating terrain in a four-wheel drive vehicle.
  • Make sure your vehicle is mechanically up to task. Be prepared with tools, supplies, spares and a spill kit for trailside repairs.

[h=5]AVOID SENSITIVE AREAS[/h]
  • Avoid sensitive areas such as meadows, lakeshores, wetlands and streams. Stay on designated routes.
  • Other sensitive habitats to avoid include living desert soils, tundra, and seasonal nesting or breeding areas.
  • Do not disturb historical, archeological or paleontological sites.
  • Avoid “spooking” livestock and wildlife you encounter and keep your distance.
  • Motorized and mechanized vehicles are not allowed in designated Wilderness Areas.

[h=5]DO YOUR PART[/h]Do your part by modeling appropriate behavior, leaving the area better than you found it, properly disposing of waste, minimizing the use of fire, avoiding the spread of invasive species and restoring degraded areas.

  • Carry a trash bag on your vehicle and pick up litter left by others.
  • Pack out what you pack in. Practice minimum impact camping by using established sites, camping 200 feet from water resources and trails.
  • Observe proper sanitary waste disposal or pack your waste out.
  • Protect the soundscape by preventing unnecessary noise created by a poorly tuned vehicle or revving your engine.
  • Before and after a ride, wash your vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species.
 
Why should I pick up my brass when it never hits the ground!

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/8-CW-530143

Now my brass cleaning media does not need changed as often since my cases lack dirt and debris.

Mitch save money on media by going to a feed store and buy bird cage bedding by the 50lb bag. Use a little Dillon cleaner with it and you'll save a lot. I rarely change my media really.


Brett C.
IronworksTactical.com - owner
 
Sky Lanterns... just say no

10887651_759171014169432_5207604058696967639_o.jpg
 
I can't remember who posted the pics, but someone was banzaiing the water crossing in Afton Canyon on the Mojave Trail, one of the pics made the cover of one of the off road rags (that claims to support Tread Lightly when they aren't trying to sell magazines). I made a comment that I was just at that location a few weeks prior and some college researchers were also there...counting frogs! Fastest way I know of to get land closed is to show abuse and the existence of some minor "only found here" animal.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/121646-Into-The-Wild-FJ-Build?highlight=dennx

:underthebus
In his defense, Dennx is a good dude. We all have made mistakes...
 
Let the record reflect that the trash cleanup at the 5th Annual Desert Rendezvous in 2015 collected over 1.6 TONS of trash from public land for the BLM.

DRV 2015 1.6 TONS OF TRASH DUMPSTER.jpg


DRV 2015 1.6 TONS OF TRASH DUMPSTER.jpg
 
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