Leave No Trace Seven Principles for Sea Kayaking
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles are the bedrock of the Leave No Trace program. They provide guidance to enjoy our natural world in a sustainable way that avoids human-created impacts. The principles have been adapted so they can be applied in your backyard or your backcountry. I have applied these principles as they relate to Sea Kayaking.
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit. In Washington most of the shoreline is privately owned. Luckily for Sea Kayaker’s the Washington Water Trails Association has put together a network of campsites available only to human powered craft stretching from Olympia to Canada. On the northern half of the Washington Coast much of the coastline lies within The Olympic National Park and you must obtain a backcountry permit and stay in designated campsites which are shared with coastal hikers.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use. Shoulder seasons such as early spring and fall are fantastic times of the year to avoid the masses and enjoy nature in solitude.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste in the backcountry.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, or dry grasses.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
Dispose of Waste Properly
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter even if it is not yours. I try and make it a game of it with the group, the person who collects the most floating trash earns a free beverage at the end of the trip.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from frsh water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. In a remote rocky coastal environment with adequate wave action you can just deposit your waste near the waters edge and let nature break it down.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. I Carry 2, 1 gallon zip lock baggies one to keep my TP & hand sanitizer in and the second to hold your used paper products. Both then go in a dry bag with a folding trowel.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
Leave What You Find
- Take only pictures, leave only footprints.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches. If you do, de-construct I before you leave.
Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, Mound fires and fire pans can be effective, but a pit fire is a nice minimum impact fire for sea-kayakers. In a tidal environment, dig it below the high tide line. Be sure to burn the wood down completely and scatter the ash into the ocean.
- Use driftwood for firewood (about the size of your forearm), but if there is not a steady supply of driftwood use dead, downed, dinky and distant sticks for your firewood. Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then let the tide scatter the cool ashes.
Respect Wildlife
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them. Regulations for viewing orca whales require that boaters stay 200 yards away and keep clear of the whales path.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely. In heavily used areas bear vaults or cannisters are required to keep your food from the animals.
- Storing your food inside your kayak may invite larger predators such as bears to destroy your boat.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter. Springtime is pup season. At this time of year, harbor seal pups are frequently found alone on area beaches. They are usually not stranded, but simply resting (as all baby mammals must do) and waiting for their mothers to come back ashore to nurse them.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Share the beach, keep kayaks together.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises. If you must listen to music use headphones.
Tags: LNT, Leave No Trace