8 Tips for Trekking Responsibly
1. Leave only footprints
Responsible hiking means leaving the environment as you found it:
cleaning up after yourself and taking out everything that you brought
in. While most hikers wouldn’t dream of throwing soda cans or food
wrappers on the ground (although sadly, some still do) smaller items
like cigarette butts, toilet paper or food scraps are often over-looked.
Think ahead and minimize waste by removing excess packaging, utilizing
reusable containers or stuff sacks and carrying a trash bag. Degradable
waste and leftover food that may attract unwanted animals into camping
or eating areas can be safely burnt and where camp toilets are
unavailable, waste should be buried in a hole (around 15cm deep) and
covered over.
2. Look after your porters
Many high-altitude climbs employ the use of porters, hired to carry
luggage and camping equipment up steep mountain paths, a difficult task
that none-the-less provides welcome employment opportunities to local
villagers. Unfortunately, porters are all too often treated as mules,
overloaded with packs weighing almost as much as their body weight,
wearing flimsy sandals ill-suited for climbing and grossly underpaid.
Although
often disregarded, porters are a crucial and hard-working member of the
trekking team, without which many climbers would be unable reach their
destination, so be sure to treat your porter with the respect he or she
deserves. Pack as lightly as possibly and distribute heavy items between
packs if traveling in a group; tip appropriately as many workers rely
on tips to supplement a less than adequate wage and quiz your trekking
company on their employment regulations before booking.
3. Respect the local environment
Tourist interest in the world’s most popular trails has done a lot of
good for preservation and conservation efforts but crowds flocking to
an area undoubtedly brings its pitfalls. Walking off-route or
trailblazing down hillsides puts fragile landscapes at risk of erosion
and while one person picking flowers, burning tree branches or
collecting natural keepsakes may have little effect, the cumulative
impact can be severe.
The trick is to become a passive observer,
sticking to well-trampled trails, keeping a respectful distance from
wildlife, burning only dead wood and resisting the temptation to remove
rocks, shells or plants from their natural environment. Most
importantly, encourage local communities to respect and preserve their
environment rather than mining it for sellable resources – discourage
souvenir-making from non-renewable resources, pass on your knowledge of
endangered plants or wildlife and encourage trek guides and porters to
follow suit.
4. Abide by the local culture code
Many of the world’s most enthralling landscapes are also home to
indigenous or tribal communities, whose rituals and religions can be
equally fascinating to the intrepid traveler. Whilst tourism brings
wealth and employment to these oft-overlooked populations, it can also
lead to a clash between traditional values and western ways.
It’s a
trekker’s duty to be sensitive to these local cultures and educate
themselves beforehand on acceptable behavior, appropriate dress codes
and local customs. Remember to ask permission if you want to take
photographs and respect their right to refuse. Refrain from the urge to
distribute ‘gifts’ to poorer residents – even this seemingly innocent
gesture can encourage begging and create a distance between locals and
tourists. If you have a genuine urge to donate, consult with your
trekking company or the village elders for advice on distributing
supplies or cash donations.
5. Practice responsible sight-seeing
Many treks pass through scared areas or places of religious
importance and while many westerners may visit for alternative reasons,
it’s important to do your research before heading out and respect the
associated traditions, taboos or customs. Whether it’s covering yourself
with a scarf and removing your footwear to enter shrines or temples,
receiving a blessing to cross into aboriginal territory or valuing the
rights of pilgrims trekking to holy sites, there are a host of
obligations to consider that may not be immediately obvious to visiting
westerners. Disrespecting these ‘rules’ is not only offensive to locals
but may even be against the law in some countries. If you are unsure,
watch what the locals do and don’t be afraid to ask your guide or other
visitors for guidance.
6. Watch out for water pollution
Streams and rivers on-route may seem like a great place to bathe, do
laundry and wash up your cooking equipment, but be aware that they are
often the main water source for local villages as well as wildlife. To
avoid contaminating water supplies, pack refillable or collapsible water
bottles or pouches, carry supplies back to your camp and dispose of
dirty water well away from streams or rivers. When going to the toilet,
make sure you are 100m from the water edge as disease is quickly spread
by waste draining through into the water.
7. Support the local community
Sustainability is key to responsible tourism and the best way to
encourage long-term growth is to support local companies and use
services provided by locals. Consider hiring local guides and porters,
even when you might prefer to trek independently – not only will you
benefit from their insider knowledge, but you’ll be creating employment
for and building connections with locals. Correspondingly, spend your
money on locally made souvenirs, stock up on food at the local market
and buy camping supplies from local stores.
Book treks with reputable local companies wherever feasible and if booking through an international company, look for one that is sustainable and puts money back into communities as well as creating jobs. Don’t be afraid to quiz them on their policies: how much of your money will go to local communities; do they hire local guides; do they have any schemes in place to preserve the local environment? A good tour company will be honest and transparent in their answers, and should be more than happy to share their knowledge with potential visitors.
Book treks with reputable local companies wherever feasible and if booking through an international company, look for one that is sustainable and puts money back into communities as well as creating jobs. Don’t be afraid to quiz them on their policies: how much of your money will go to local communities; do they hire local guides; do they have any schemes in place to preserve the local environment? A good tour company will be honest and transparent in their answers, and should be more than happy to share their knowledge with potential visitors.
8. Pass on the message
Most importantly, spread the word. Share your tips and knowledge with
other travelers and friends back home and listen to their own advice
too – the best route to change is through exchange!
Whilst
trekking, call out other trekkers that you see littering or damaging the
environment and politely explain to them the error of their ways.
Encourage local companies and guides to adopt eco-friendly and
sustainable initiatives by showing them that westerners are concerned
about these policies – changes will soon be made even in countries where
there is little concern for the environment if it’s thought that this
will attract more customers to their company.
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