Leave No Trace

                Leave no trace is an evolving movement to protect and preserve the outdoors. The 7 Leave No Trace Principles are the basic framework of minimum impact practices when adventuring in the outdoors. The 7 principles were originally designed for backcountry travelers and can be applied to almost any outdoor activity. I found it useful to apply the 7 LNT principles to Sedona Canyoneering when adventuring in Sedona’s front and back country. Below I will list the 7 principles of Leave No Trace, and apply to them to Sedona Canyoneering.  The LNT  Principles and Low-Impact Practices  are designed  to minimize our impact on these natural resources   

The 7 Principles:

1.       Plan Ahead & Prepare:

In order to have a safe and enjoyable adventure, and minimize our impact on the environment it is important to plan ahead and prepare. Sedona canyoneering can help you plan by providing different adventure options based on time and difficulty, weather conditions, and group experience. Preparing is made easier by seasonal recommendations, gear recommendations, route finding tools, and detailed route information.  Something as simple as forgetting a headlamp can lead to irreversible damage to sensitive soils, and an unpleasant adventure.  How we plan and prepare directly effects our overall experience as well as our impact on the environment. 

2.       Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces: 

When traveling in the front and backcountry it is important to stick to the designated trails in order to prevent  erosion, damage to sensitive vegetation, and braided trails.  Sedona Canyoneering routes involve both on and off trail hiking.  There are a few things to consider when traveling both on and off trail that could help reduce the impact on the terrain.

• Use maps and GPS tracks as an aid to stay on route- These resources are never 100% accurate but are meant to serve as a reference when route finding.

• Travel in small groups

• When leaving the main trail and connecting to social trails be extra cautious of sensitive soils and where you step.

• Sand, dirt and rock are durable surfaces to step on. Lichen, moss, and Crypto-biotic crust should be pointed out and avoided.

• “Bushwhacking” or trudging through dense patches of vegetation is a sign that you are off-trail.

• Move through the canyon rather than around the canyon. Staying in the watercourse or on route,  and NOT hiking around or bypassing obstacles will help protect sensitive soils and is usually a safer means of travel.

3.       Dispose of Waste Properly:

“Pack it in, Pack it out” Disposing of personal trash, litter, and waste is expected by every level of outdoorsman, and picking up others trash is a noble act that’s  often contagious. 

Trash- If you have extra room, pack out trash that you find along the way. Pick up trash on the return or exit to prevent having to carry it through the wilderness.  Trail head trash cans are limited and often overflowing after a busy day, take your trash with you and leave the trailhead bins for the more “touristy” types.

Degradable Food- Banana and orange peels, apple cores, and nut shells are examples of things that may degrade over time but are still considered waste and should be disposed of properly.

Webbing/ Rapides- Old webbing and rapides should be replaced and packed out.  Simply adding new webbing and rapides and leaving the questionable gear in place is both unsafe and an eyesore.

Human Waste- The majority of trailheads in Sedona have restroom facilities or pit toilets.  Running  water is NOT available at the trailheads. Before starting your adventure it is a good idea to utilize these resources even if you don’t feel the urge. If you must go off trail to use the restroom please be mindful of where you step and find a location that will not disturb others. Most importantly

What to do?

#1- When you gotta pee, you gotta pee. When you feel the irresistable urge to urinate, find a nice off trail location away from travel. Pee in an area where others are unlikely to see, smell, or step on your urine. Pee on the loose dirt and cover it with dead leaves or sand. Do not pee on sensitive soils.

#2- Sometimes surprises creep up on us at the worst of times, and I’m talking about #2  good ole Mr.Poo! If you spend enough time outdoors the time will come where you just can’t hold it anymore. When it comes to dealing with poo this is what you do:

• Plan ahead- Even if you don’t feel the urge, a quick visit to the restrooms at the trailhead (if available) may be beneficial.

• Prepare- Bring a Poo bag with toiletries.

• Pack out all waste and materials.

•  Last Resort- If you are unprepared the best thing you can do is find a spot far off trail, in the bushes and away from any foot traffic. Dig a hole, do the deed, and get rid of the evidence ( bag it and pack it ).

4.       Leave What You Find:  

Leaving sites as you found them provides others with the same sense of adventure  and keeps things wild.  Avoid tampering with , damaging , or altering, the surroundings such as rocks, vegetation, and artifacts. One thing that makes Sedona  so special are the archaeological sites in abundance amongst the cliffs, caves, and ledges. In order to protect the sanctity of these sites we ask that you leave what you find. Site etiquette will be expanded upon on the Archaeological Sites page.

Leaving nature unaltered is also part of leaving what you find. Flagging, cairns, fixed handlines, and chipped footholds are all examples altering nature, Please leave it the way you found it.

5.       Minimize (Canyoneering) Impacts:

The 5th principle focuses on minimizing campfire impacts. For the purpose of this resource I have changed the impact of “campfire” to the impact of “canyoneering”.   Low-impact techniques will be discussed as a way to minimize the impact from canyoneering onto the environment.

Rope Deployment and retrieval- Thoughtful  rope deployment and retrieval techniques can minimize the contact that the gear has on the sandstone and surrounding areas.

Noise- Whistles should be used at a very minimum and only if necessary. Walkie talkies, cell phones, and hand-signals are less obtrusive ways to communicate.       

Anchor management- Maintaining anchors to be safe and unobtrusive is an effective way to reduce our impact as canyoneers.

6.       Respect Wildlife:

Local wildlife encounters are very common and more likely earlier in the morning. On a typical morning you are likely to encounter deer,  javelina, coyote, be greeted by birdsong if you are lucky. Considerate adventurers will quietly observe and take photos from afar. During wildlife encounters do not touch, startle or scare the animal. A pack of startled javelina could easily destroy sensitive soils.  Feeding animals only endangers them and can result in injury, rabies, euthanization of the animal or transmission of other diseases.

 What to do:

• Stay on trail

• Keep your distance

• Travel Quietly

• Avoid feeding, touching, startling

7.       Be Considerate of Other Visitors:

While adventuring in Sedona you will encounter other outdoor enthusiasts of all types.  Courtesy towards others, both on and off trail is a vital element of outdoor ethics. On trail, experienced adventurers and canyoneers tend to move fast and quietly.  Announcing that you are coming up behind another hiker is a well received gesture that will enable them to move aside on durable terrain. Loud discussions, music, and drones can take away from the true wilderness experience that so many are searching for in the outdoors. Please preserve the peace and keep noises to a minimum.  Pass hikers on wider sections of the trail when possible.

 When traveling off trail in Sedona it is important to remember that other hikers and adventurers are everywhere, and often times below you. Take extra caution around loose rock and make sure to warn others of rock fall even if you think you are alone.  It is recommended to trail the rope over the edge before dropping to ensure that hikers are not below.

   The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace and more information on what you can do to help can be found at LNT.ORG