Montreat College Outreach

Yesterday, we wrapped up our time in North Carolina with a visit to Montreat College. This small school nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside of Asheville, NC provided a beautiful setting to teach Leave No Trace. Past Traveling Trainers, JD and Emily, visited Montreat College last year and introduced the students to the program. We were asked to educate the students about more of the minimum impact techniques involved with Leave No Trace. In the above photo, Tracy demonstrates a mound fire.

In addition to minimum impact campfire techniques, we also taught the group about proper disposal of human waste in the backcountry. After learning about methods to pack out human waste, we went over the use of a cat hole. This led to an intense round of Cat hole Olympics! The above photo shows Dr. Andrew Bobilya, Co-Chair of the Outdoor Education Department, completing a 6-8" hole for his team. We had a great time working with Montreat students and are looking forward to visiting campus again in the future.

Happy Adventuring...Kate and Tracy

Campfire Results

You've had some time to consider how the picture from Thursday's blog could have had less impact on the environment.  Here is a list of what we came up with:

1.  Wood collected for burning (in areas where the regulations allow) should have the characteristics of the 4 D's-dead, down, dinky (smaller than your wrist, shorter than your forearm), and distant.

2.  Established fire rings should always be used when available.

3.  Burn wood to white ash.  In front country areas, leave ash in the established fire ring.  In back country settings grind small coals to ash between gloved hands, thoroughly soak with water, and scatter remains over a large area away from camp.  (Note: In river corridors ashes may have to be packed out)

Here is a second look at the picture that we took this summer along the Diamond Fork River in Utah: 

Thanks to Bear Leader and Russell Fruits for taking a second to comment on the impacts they saw in the picture.  The school year is right around the corner, but fall weekends provide an amazing venue with crisp, cool nights that are perfect for gathering 'round the campfire.  Enjoy these times and remember to Minimize Campfire Impacts as you do so!

Safe travels...Kate and Tracy

Campfire Challenge!

There is still plenty of time in summer '09 to get outdoors and enjoy a camping trip with family or friends.  In considering the Leave No Trace principle Minimize Campfire Impacts, this photo represents a less than leave no trace campsite.  Can you identify what could have been done differently to minimize the campfire impacts on this site?

Post your ideas in our comments or email us at kateandtracy@lnt.org and check back on Monday for the results!

Happy Camping...Kate and Tracy