The 7 principles of Leave No Trace and Being Sustainable

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

Know what regulations and weather you will
be subjected to while on trip. Know how to
exit in emergencies, keep groups small (3
tents take less space than 7) minimise the
amount of single packaged foods (buy in bulk
and reuse packages).
2. Travel and Camp on
Durable Surfaces
Stay on established tracks and do not break
track (use game tracks if walking off track
and don’t increase the width of tracks, walk
single file). Great campsites are FOUND not
made, if you have to do more than move a
few stones or sticks then find elsewhere.
Avoid increasing usage of spaces which are
just being impacted.
3. Dispose of Waste Correctly
If you’ve gotta go, then you gotta go! But don’t
go where you shouldn’t!! This includes closer
than 100m to a body of water or a camp and
ideally far enough off track. Use toilets if
available and do not put anything which is not
biodegradable into the ground. Cat holes for
number 2s and dish or wastewater need to be
250mm deep.

4. Leave What You Find

Leave everything as you find it. All those small places
under rocks and logs have massive amounts of life in and
around them. You don’t need to take that rock or plant
home, its likely the plant wont even survive the rest of
the journey. If you find rubbish at the site, then make it
clean and leave it better than you found it.

5. Minimise Campfire Impacts

Don’t have campfires unless there is an established
ring or pit. Of course, if your life depended on the
heat from a fire then you need to stay alive. Use only
liquid or gas stoves to cook, they are more efficient
and dependable than a fire.
 6. Respect Wildlife
It’s their home not yours! Do not follow, feed or
harass any animals. They could become a nuisance,
making your time in their home more challenging
for you. Don’t leave food scraps and waste lying
about for a possum or kangaroo may visit you
during the night, and not in the way you want it a
visit.
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Respect other users of the trail and
understand their plans may be different to
yours. You may have only travelled 10km, but
they may have travelled 20km today and
want to head to bed early. By keeping
unnecessary noise to a minimum you’ll be
well received in camp. Let the sounds that
surround you, fill your ears! Sit quietly for 15
minutes and see how many creatures start to
make noises. If it is a clear night, then take
time to look up and marvel at the stars!

These areas we visit do not need our influence, but we need

theirs. Visit and respect but do not damage and take.
By purchasing high quality equipment from reputable manufactures, your equipment will
last many years rather than just one expedition. Many manufactures offer substantial
warranties, and some will repair equipment where there was no manufacturing deficiency.
Osprey Packs not only produce some of the best packs but will repair any of their bags that
have been damaged or replace if they cannot be repaired. By looking after your equipment,
it’ll look after you!

The Greatest Trace We Should Leave Behind us is Nothing but Our Footprints, Only to Tell us Where we Have Been.