For the last few years, as I have been mucking my way around the King Range, I have been saying the same four things to everyone. These are the same things I have always said to you, my enlightened readers:
1. Overnight visitors need to have a King Range backcountry permit. These are free and self-issue at all trailheads as of June 2010.
2. Backcountry visitors should be aware of and follow all current fire restrictions.
3. All food needs to be stored in an approved, hard-sided bear canister—just like in the Sierras. 4. Human waste should be buried below the high tide mark in the wet sand or wet gravel while travelling on the Lost Coast.
These four points encapsulate well the rules of the road for the King Range and Lost Coast. There is an important item, however, that we have been missing in the standard ranger talk. All of our points somehow relate to Leave-No-Trace or minimum impact travel and use of the wilderness. It is our goal to keep the Lost Coast “lost”. It is our goal to have the place at least FEEL pristine—even if thousands of people each year hike the beach.
So. Leave No Trace. Leave the minimum possible impact. New for 2010: Our Point #5.
While travelling the beach, you may see examples of large, driftwood shelters or beach art. These are NOT a good example of a minimum impact or Leave-No-Trace practice. If you build something, please return the site to its natural condition before you leave.
I realize that the beach is very windy and sometimes there is no sheltered place to camp. If a group feels the need to stack a couple of logs to make a place to cook or put up a tent, I understand—it’s a part of the wilderness experience to create shelter for some people. When leaving the site, though… you wouldn’t leave the campfire burning, right? DO NOT LEAVE WINDBREAKS OR SHELTERS STANDING.
While travelling the beach, you may see examples of large, driftwood shelters or beach art. These are NOT a good example of a minimum impact or Leave-No-Trace practice. If you build something, please return the site to its natural condition before you leave.
I realize that the beach is very windy and sometimes there is no sheltered place to camp. If a group feels the need to stack a couple of logs to make a place to cook or put up a tent, I understand—it’s a part of the wilderness experience to create shelter for some people. When leaving the site, though… you wouldn’t leave the campfire burning, right? DO NOT LEAVE WINDBREAKS OR SHELTERS STANDING.
And don’t just knock it over in a heap. PUT THINGS BACK WHERE THEY CAME FROM.
Returning a site to its natural condition is the most awesome thing a group can do for ANY wilderness. “Leave-No-Trace” and “Minimum Impact” are great concepts—but they are just a beginning. A real lover of wilderness will go beyond picking up after themselves. A real lover of wilderness will take the extra step to return their campsite to a natural condition upon leaving. In the Sierras, I spread pine needles and rocks over the tent spot I used. In the King Range, I put the driftwood I used back down along the high-tide mark, where it came from.
Returning a site to its natural condition is the most awesome thing a group can do for ANY wilderness. “Leave-No-Trace” and “Minimum Impact” are great concepts—but they are just a beginning. A real lover of wilderness will go beyond picking up after themselves. A real lover of wilderness will take the extra step to return their campsite to a natural condition upon leaving. In the Sierras, I spread pine needles and rocks over the tent spot I used. In the King Range, I put the driftwood I used back down along the high-tide mark, where it came from.
Yours, for the Wilderness.
DC CARR
DC CARR
1 comment:
Just got back from 4 days/3 nights hiking south on the coast. Very nice without the shelters. Thanks!
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