{"id":6942,"date":"2016-01-13T10:47:03","date_gmt":"2016-01-13T18:47:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=6942"},"modified":"2018-11-11T21:50:28","modified_gmt":"2018-11-12T05:50:28","slug":"resolve-to-do-more-than-just-get-outside-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/resolve-to-do-more-than-just-get-outside-this-year","title":{"rendered":"Resolve To Do More Than Just Get Outside This Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New Year is here, and chances are you just made a list of resolutions. It probably looks something like this: build a better work\u2013life balance, eat fewer cookies next Christmas, get outside more often. These are all great goals, but in 2016, let\u2019s do even more.<\/p>\n

The great outdoors is having a moment. Big brands are encouraging people to take a hike, and websites promoting outdoor recreation have seen phenomenal growth. An estimated 300 million people drove through, camped at and used the outhouses in our national parks in 2015, and 2016 is set to break another record. This is all great news\u2014We love nature! We want to go play in it!<\/em>\u2014but our enthusiasm comes at a cost.<\/p>\n

\"Leave<\/p>\n

Delicate Arch, one of the most popular photo destinations at Arches National Park in Utah.<\/em><\/p>\n

We\u2019re enjoying the outdoors, but we\u2019re not protecting it. So as we turn the corner to a new year, let\u2019s make a resolution not just to get outside, but to do so sustainably and responsibly. Let\u2019s not pitch tents where we shouldn\u2019t, or build campfires next to scenic overlooks. Let\u2019s not go into off-limit areas just for a good photo. Let\u2019s not leave any garbage behind. And for those of us following all the rules\u2014let\u2019s pick up any garbage we find.<\/p>\n

The 7 Leave No Trace Principles<\/h4>\n

Luckily, we have a set of guidelines we can follow to make sure we strive to protect the outdoors this year. The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics<\/a> has developed seven principles for responsible behavior in nature. Most of us get the gist, but here are a few of the more common infringements that even I\u2019m guilty of. Below are examples that help drive the point home so we can all get outside for generations to come (for the full LNT descriptions, look here<\/a>).<\/p>\n

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare<\/p>\n

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: Know the rules and regulations of where you\u2019re camping. Do you need a bear canister? Can you bring your dog? Also, make sure you\u2019re prepared for bad weather and emergencies. [Just an aside: There was massive flooding in Havasu Canyon in 2008, and campers had to scramble to high ground!]<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Leave<\/p>\n

Havasu Falls in Arizona sees a lot of foot traffic these days. Help protect its waters by following the Leave No Trace principles.<\/em><\/p>\n

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces<\/p>\n

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: Camp in a designated campsite, or on rock, dry grass or snow at least 200 feet from rivers and streams, unless you\u2019re in a designated area that allows it.<\/p>\n

3. Dispose of Waste Properly<\/p>\n

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: If you\u2019re in the backcountry, dig a 6-inch-deep hole for human waste (bring a trowel<\/a>!) and pack out your used toilet paper. Also, do not wash yourself or any plates or utensils, including coffee mugs, in creeks or rivers.<\/p>\n

4. Minimize Campfire Impacts<\/p>\n

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: That fire by the side of the lake you saw on Instagram? It should not be repeated.<\/p>\n

\"Leave<\/p>\n

The mountains must\u2019ve called everyone this weekend to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.<\/em><\/p>\n

5. Leave What You Find<\/p>\n

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: You stole that rock collection from Mother Nature. Leave things, big and small, where you find them!<\/p>\n

6. Respect Wildlife<\/p>\n

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: Don\u2019t feed the gray jays (also known as camp robbers) just for a cool photo, or any other animal for that matter. And don\u2019t walk up to a bison at Yellowstone for a selfie.<\/p>\n

7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors<\/p>\n

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS: Remember the time you had a terrible roommate? Don\u2019t be that guy at your local campsite, or even deep in the backcountry. Keep your voices (and any music) low. Let nature do the talking.<\/p>\n

Have any fun 2016 outdoor adventures planned? We’d love to hear them in the comments below.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The New Year is here, and chances are you just made a list of resolutions. It probably looks something like this: build a better work\u2013life balance, eat fewer cookies next Christmas, get outside more often. These are all great goals, but in 2016, let\u2019s do even more. The great outdoors is having a moment. Big […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":6948,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[387],"tags":[8,489,113,66],"internal-tag":[1673,544],"class_list":["post-6942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hike","tag-hike","tag-leave-no-trace","tag-national-park","tag-tips","internal-tag-pre-redirect-hike","internal-tag-whitney-james"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/hike\/resolve-to-do-more-than-just-get-outside-this-year","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Resolve To Do More Than Just Get Outside This Year","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/resolve-to-do-more-than-just-get-outside-this-year","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/resolve-to-do-more-than-just-get-outside-this-year"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/01\/Rainier-NP-WJ.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/01\/Rainier-NP-WJ.jpg?fit=1500%2C1000"},"articleSection":"Hike","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Angela Crampton"}],"creator":["Angela Crampton"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["hike","leave no trace","national parks","tips"],"dateCreated":"2016-01-13T18:47:03Z","datePublished":"2016-01-13T18:47:03Z","dateModified":"2018-11-12T05:50:28Z"},"rendered":"