Tips








Food Storage Tips


The following guidelines are meant to supplement local rules and regulations, rather than replace them. Always follow local protocols for food storage. When in doubt, always contact the ranger station designated for your specific travel area.


Keep the animals OUT of your food


It may seem obvious, but preventing animals from getting to your food and other scented items is the only way to keep your stuff safe.


Animals are opportunistic. They are rewarded for their efforts every time they successfully raid a backpack, food sack, stuff sack, etc. Animals are also rewarded for their close proximity to humans when they are fed or otherwise encouraged.


Habitual raiders often develop nuisance or dangerous behaviors that may lead to their displacement or destruction.


What Can You Do?


Never feed wild animals, no matter how "tame" or cute they may appear
Know which animals are in the areas you are traveling through
Be prepared to store your food and scented items in such a way that it is safe from all the local wildlife
Always educate yourself on the proper use of food storage devices or techniques prior to using them
Try to be aware of ANY impact you are having on your environment, and try to minimize that impact
For more information, see Low Impact Tips and the Grand Canyon National Park Backcountry Food Storage pages

Which Food Storage Device Do You Need?


  Outsak® Animal Resistant Storage Bag Stuff Sacks, Bear Resistant Bags, and Bear Hangs Bear Canisters, and Wide∼Mouth Bear Resistant Bottles
Weight Best Better Good
Capacity Best Better Good
Resistance To Rodents and Other Small Animals Best Good Better
Resistance to Bears and Other Large Animals Must Be Hung Properly Must Be Hung Properly Best
Compresses When Emptied Best Good Does Not Compress

Back To The Top


Low Impact Tips


  • Is This Safe?
  •  
  • Before you take any actions on any adventures, you should always question yourself about the safety of the situation. In hindsight, many people find their problems could have have been avoided by clear, rational thought.
  •  
  •  
  • Know Before You Go
  •  
  • Plan your trip details fully prior to leaving for your destination. Do not attempt to hike or raft in an unfamiliar area without first consulting the proper maps.
  •  
  • Know what weather to expect. Bring the proper supplies to keep yourself safe from the weather. Bring emergency supplies in case of unexpected conditions.
  •  
  •  
  • Share Your Plans
  •  
  • Have a fully detailed plan before you go.
  •  
  • Communicate your plans to a trusted,responsible adult. Many ranger stations encourage you to share your plans with them, as well.
  •  
  • Have an emergency plan. Make sure that a responsible adult will alert the authorities in the event that you do not show up at the expected time.
  •  
  •  
  • Where To Camp
  •  
  • In high∼use areas: Use established campsites and trails whenever possible. No shortcuts. Avoid disturbing fragile ecosystems.
  •  
  • In low∼use areas: It is often recommended to spread your impact out a bit. Hikers should stagger their steps so they are not creating a trail. Camp and cook on solid ground. Avoid disturbing fragile ecosystems.
  •  
  • Guidelines for setting up camp: Here is a basic illustration.
  •  
  • Keep Your Sleeping Area Away From Your Water Source, Cooking Area, Clean∼up Area, and Food Cache
  •  
  •  
  • Waste
  •  
  • If you pack it in, you must pack it out. This includes food waste, toilet paper, trash, etc.
  •  
  • Human waste should be buried properly in a hole 6 to 8 inches deep to decompose properly. Never allow your waste near your camp or water sources. Some areas require that you pack out human excrement.
  •  
  •  
  • Water
  •  
  • Bring water to drink as well as emergency water. Water is needed to clean out wounds, so always bring extra.
  •  
  • If you are using a water filter or treatment, know where the water sources are.
  •  
  • Most situations require that you never camp, urinate, deficated, or leave any kind of trash near water sources. Some places, like Grand Canyon National Park actually recommend that you urinate in the large water sources to dilute the liquid.
  •  
  •  
  • Food
  •  
  • Keep all food (including crumbs, peels, trash, etc) contained and away from animals. Outsak Bags or other Animal Resistant Storage containers are a MUST.
  •  
  • Areas With Bears: Please use a proper bear hang. Here is a basic illustration of a low impact bear hang.
  •  
  • Low Impact Bear Hang Using an Outsak Animal Resistant Storage Bag
  •  
  •  
  •  
  • ***Note: Using a carabiner as a pulley decreases the impact of the rope on the tree. Also, wrapping the rope many times around the tree disperses the pressure, making it lower impact on the bark.
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  • No Teasure Hunting
  •  
  • Do not take anything. This includes artifacts, plants, animals, and natural objects. Take pictures instead!
  •  
  •  
  • Be Considerate of Your Environment
  •  
  • Inanimate or alive, human or non∼human, treat everything and everyone with basic consideration.
  •  
  • If possible, leave the area in better condition than you found it.
  •  

Back To The Top


Trail Courtesy by Cactus Huggers (Used With Permission)


  • Rules And Regulations
  •  
  • Most trailheads, entrances, and/or websites will have specific guidelines to follow.
  •  
  •  
  • Stay On Trail
  •  
  • Traveling on established trails in high impact areas protects the surrounding nature.
  •  
  •  
  • Leave No Trace
  •  
  • Please use "Leave No Trace" ethics or do your best to minimize your environmental impact. This includes packing out trash, leaving no crumbs or peels behind, staying on trail, eliminating far from water sources, animal proof food storage, etc.
  •  
  •  
  • No Rock Throwing
  •  
  • Assume there are hikers, bikers, trail runners, horses, or wildlife below every edge. Never throw a rock below an edge. Innocently thrown rocks can kill.
  •  
  •  
  • Stop For Horses
  •  
  • When encountering horses, mules, or other pack animals, step off the trail and stop. Make no contact with the animals. Listen and be open to instructions from the riders, as they sometimes have specific directions about their animals.
  •  
  •  
  • Yield To Uphill Traffic
  •  
  • Allow uphill traffic to continue with their pace by stepping to the side. The uphill traffic will sometimes want the break and might wave you through.
  •  
  •  
  • Leash Dogs
  •  
  • While on trail, it is respectful to keep your dogs leashed. This protects wildlife from stress and prevents your dog from approaching other people, dogs, bikes, horses, etc. Do not assume other people and animals want to greet your dog. Your dog should be under your control whether they are leashed or not. Know your dog, and do not allow your dog off leash if you are unsure if they will listen and comply with your requests.
  •  
  •  
  • Stay Off Cross Country Ski Tracks
  •  
  • Winter time travelers should avoid disturbing cross country ski tracks by walking to the side of them.
  •  
  •  
  • Be Quiet
  •  
  • Allow others a quiet environment.
  •  
  •  

Back To The Top


Videos


Videos Coming Soon


Back To The Top