Leave No Trace - How and Why it’s Important to Follow During Your Photoshoot/Adventure Elopement

Throughout my life I’ve had the privilege of enjoying the great outdoors and all that it has to offer me, from the towering redwoods to deep vast canyons, mother nature is truly a spectacle to behold. I want to be able to share these experiences and amazing locations with everyone who has ever been adventurous. However, it comes with great responsibility as more and more people come from all over to hike these trails and summit these views, we need to be mindful of our impact as humans on nature. I’m sure you’ve all seen a stray wrapper or bottle along the trail or hidden among the brush, accident or not we need to do better to be more aware of our litter and surroundings to help preserve and prolong these beautiful places. Leave No Trace is a set of principles aimed at reducing the environmental impact of outdoor activities, promoting responsible recreation, and preserving the natural beauty of our wilderness areas. As people who choose to spend our time recreating outdoors it’s no surprise that we care deeply about the environment. However, not everyone is perfect and we all make mistakes. Even as someone who works full time in the environmental sector I’ve made my own fair share of mistakes but the beauty of making these mistakes is learning from them. Below I’ve listed the seven Leave No Trace principles and a few tips to consider when eloping or having your engagement sessions outdoors.

The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace

1. Plan ahead and prepare

This principle encourages outdoor enthusiasts to plan ahead and prepare for their outdoor activities. This includes researching the area you plan to visit, checking the weather forecast, and bringing the appropriate equipment and supplies. By doing so, you can minimize your impact on the environment, reduce the risk of accidents, and ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Here are some things to consider about this principle:

1. Research the area: Before your adventure elopement, research the location where you'll be getting married. Learn about the terrain, weather, and regulations that apply to the area. Make sure to obtain any necessary permits and abide by all guidelines.

2. Plan your route: Plan your elopement route ahead of time and consider factors like distance, elevation gain, and difficulty. Make sure to bring along a map, compass, or GPS device to help you navigate the terrain.

3. Check the weather: Be prepared for changing weather conditions. Check the forecast before heading out and bring appropriate clothing and gear for the conditions you might face.

4. Pack appropriately: Consider packing lightweight and compact gear that will be easy to carry and won't take up too much space. Bring enough food, water, and supplies for your elopement, and make sure to pack out all trash.

5. Consider safety: Your safety should be a top priority during your elopement. Bring along any necessary safety gear, such as a first-aid kit or a satellite phone, and make sure to inform someone of your plans before leaving.

6. Respect the environment: Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles and minimize your impact on the environment. This means leaving the area as you found it, not disturbing wildlife or vegetation, and disposing of waste properly.

2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces

This principle advises visitors to stay on designated trails and campsites to protect fragile ecosystems. Walking off-trail can cause soil erosion and damage vegetation, while camping on unestablished sites can harm the habitat of local wildlife. By staying on durable surfaces, we can minimize our impact on the environment and preserve natural habitats for future generations. Here are some tips on how to follow this principle:

1. Stick to established trails: When hiking or traveling, stick to established trails and avoid creating new ones. This helps prevent soil erosion and damage to vegetation.

2. Camp in designated areas: If possible, camp in designated campsites or areas that have been previously used for camping. These areas are typically located on durable surfaces like rock, gravel, or sand.

3. Avoid camping near water sources: Camping near water sources can damage vegetation and cause erosion. Instead, camp at least 200 feet away from water sources.

4. Use established fire rings: If fires are allowed, use established fire rings or fire pans. This helps prevent damage to the ground and surrounding vegetation.

5. Avoid camping on vegetation: Do not camp on top of vegetation, as this can damage or kill the plants. Instead, camp on durable surfaces like rock, gravel, or sand.

3. Dispose of waste properly

This principle emphasizes the importance of packing out all trash and leaving no trace behind. Litter, food scraps, and human waste can harm the environment, attract wildlife, and spoil the experience for other visitors. By properly disposing of waste, we can maintain the natural beauty of our wilderness areas and protect local wildlife. We can do this by:

1. Pack it in, pack it out: Bring all trash and waste out with you when you leave the area. This includes food scraps, toilet paper, and other litter. Do not bury trash, as it can attract animals and take a long time to decompose.

2. Use designated restrooms: If there are restrooms in the area, use them for disposing of human waste. If not, bury your waste in a cathole dug 6-8 inches deep at least 200 feet away from water sources, trails, and campsites. Cover the hole with natural materials like leaves or dirt when finished.

3. Bring a portable toilet: If possible, bring a portable toilet with you to avoid having to dig catholes. Pack out all waste and dispose of it properly.

4. Use biodegradable soap: If you need to wash dishes or yourself, use biodegradable soap and dispose of the wastewater away from water sources.

5. Keep food away from wildlife: Store your food and garbage in bear-resistant containers or hang it from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet away from the trunk. This helps prevent wildlife from becoming habituated to human food and reduces the likelihood of wildlife encounters.

4. Leave what you find

This principle encourages visitors to leave natural and cultural resources as they are. Removing rocks, plants, or artifacts can disrupt fragile ecosystems, disturb local wildlife, and damage historical or cultural sites. By leaving natural and cultural resources undisturbed, we can preserve the natural beauty of the wilderness areas and protect our cultural heritage. Here are some tips on how to follow this principle:

1. Don't disturb wildlife or plants: Avoid disturbing wildlife or plants by keeping your distance and not approaching them too closely. This helps maintain the natural balance of the ecosystem.

2. Don't pick flowers or remove rocks: Resist the urge to pick flowers or remove rocks as souvenirs. This helps preserve the natural beauty of the area and allows others to enjoy it as well.

3. Leave artifacts and cultural items: Leave artifacts and cultural items where you find them, as they may have historical or cultural significance. Removing them can cause damage and disturbance to the area.

4. Take only pictures: Instead of taking items as souvenirs, take pictures to remember your experience. This way, you can enjoy the memories without causing harm to the environment.

5. Follow regulations: If there are regulations in place, such as restrictions on fishing or hunting, follow them to help protect the area and its inhabitants.

5. Minimize campfire impact

This principle advises visitors to minimize their impact on the environment when building and using campfires. Campfires can damage the soil, vegetation, and wildlife habitat, as well as cause forest fires. By using established fire rings, using only small sticks and twigs, and putting out fires completely, we can reduce the impact of campfires on the environment. Here are some tips on how to follow this principle:

1. Check fire restrictions: Before starting a fire, check for any fire restrictions in the area. Some areas may have bans or restrictions on fires due to dry conditions or other factors.

2. Use established fire rings: If fires are allowed, use established fire rings or fire pans. Do not create new fire rings, as this can cause damage to the surrounding area.

3. Use small fires: Keep fires small to minimize their impact on the environment. Use only sticks that can be broken by hand and burn them completely to ash.

4. Use dead and downed wood: Collect only dead and downed wood for your fire. Do not cut live trees or branches, as this can damage the ecosystem.

5. Respect wildlife: Do not feed wildlife or leave food scraps near the fire, as this can attract animals and create potential hazards for both wildlife and humans.

6. Extinguish the fire completely: Before leaving the area, make sure the fire is completely extinguished. Pour water on the fire and stir the ashes until they are cool to the touch. Do not leave any hot coals or embers.

6. Respect wildlife

This principle reminds visitors to respect the wildlife and their habitats. Wildlife can be sensitive to human presence, and visitors should avoid disturbing them. This includes keeping a safe distance, not feeding wildlife, and storing food properly to avoid attracting animals. By respecting wildlife, we can protect their habitat and ensure their survival in the wild. Here are some tips on how to follow this principle:

1. Keep your distance: Observe wildlife from a safe distance and never approach or feed them. This helps to prevent them from becoming habituated to humans and reduces the likelihood of negative encounters.

2. Store food properly: Store your food in bear-resistant containers or hang it from a tree at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet away from the trunk. This helps prevent wildlife from becoming attracted to human food and reduces the likelihood of wildlife encounters.

3. Respect their habitat: Avoid disturbing or damaging wildlife habitats. Stay on established trails and camp only in designated areas. Do not disturb nesting sites or dens.

4. Do not touch or move wildlife: Do not touch or move wildlife, even if they appear to be injured or in distress. This can cause further harm to the animal and may be dangerous for humans as well.

5. Keep pets under control: If you bring pets with you, keep them on a leash and under control at all times. This helps to prevent them from chasing or disturbing wildlife.

7. Be considerate of other visitors

This principle encourages visitors to be considerate of other visitors and their experience in the outdoors. This includes keeping noise levels down, yielding the trail to others, and respecting other visitors' privacy. By being considerate of others, we can promote a positive outdoor culture and make everyone's experience more enjoyable. Here are some tips on how to follow this principle:

1. Be courteous: Be courteous to other visitors by keeping noise levels down and respecting their privacy. Avoid playing loud music or making excessive noise, especially early in the morning or late at night.

2. Yield to others on the trail: Yield to others on the trail by stepping to the side or stepping off the trail to let others pass. This is especially important when hiking with a large group or with pets.

3. Respect private property: Respect private property and obtain permission before entering any private land. Do not disturb or damage any structures or fences on private land.

4. Leave campsites clean: Leave your campsites clean and free of litter. If you see litter on the trail or at campsites, pick it up and pack it out.

5. Respect cultural and historic sites: Respect cultural and historic sites by not disturbing or removing any artifacts or structures. These sites are important to local communities and should be treated with respect.

Why Leave No Trace is Important

Leave No Trace is important because it promotes responsible outdoor ethics and protects the natural beauty of our wilderness areas. By following these principles, we can minimize our impact on the environment, preserve natural habitats, and ensure that future generations can enjoy these areas as much as we do. Leave No Trace also helps us understand and appreciate the fragile ecosystems that we visit, and encourages us to become better stewards of our natural resources. By practicing Leave No Trace, we can make a positive impact on the environment and promote a sustainable outdoor culture.

Adventure elopements and engagement photoshoots offer a unique opportunity to celebrate love in the great outdoors. However, it’s important to remember that these special moments can have an impact on the environment. That’s why it’s crucial to practice Leave No Trace principles during these outdoor events.

By following these tips, you can have a beautiful and memorable adventure elopement or engagement photoshoot while also preserving the natural beauty of the environment. Leave No Trace principles are important to remember not just during outdoor events but also during any outdoor activity. Practicing Leave No Trace ensures that we can continue to enjoy the natural beauty of the outdoors for generations to come. If you share these same ideals I encourage you to Leave No Trace