Leave No Trace Series: Principle 2 - Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces

Leave No Trace
Principle 2 - Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
© Leave No Trace: www.LNT.org 

Traveling and camping go hand in hand.  Whether you are backpacking the Appalachian Trail or just going for a weekend fishing trip, getting to and staying put are part of the process.  That's why we'll show some simple Travel and Camping suggestions for making your trip more enjoyable while being a good steward of the land.  

Best Ways to Travel

• Trail use is recommended whenever possible 
• Provide space for other hikers if taking breaks along the trail 
• Periodically stop to rest and talk
• Avoid damage to surface vegetation 
• Backcountry travel may involve travel over both trails and off-trail areas

It is best to stay on well-designed routes than making poorly chosen paths which tramples vegetation.  Encourage your group to stay within the width of the trail.  This will avoid trail shortcuts and confusion as to trail routes.  The objective is to travel with minimal impact or damage to the land and waterways. 

What is Off-trail Travel?

• Not using an established trail 
• Going off-trail to search for bathroom privacy
• Exploration away from any trail or campsite  

This is not to discourage anyone from going off-trail.  Simply choose a good route over the most impacted area so you do not cause any more damage or impacts to the surrounding area.  

Most Durable Surfaces

• Rock
• Sand
• Gravel 
• Ice 
• Snow
• Durable vegetation 
• Vegetation that is easily avoided 
• Dry grasses (resistant to trampling)

Do your best to avoid the following:   

• Living soil 
• Desert puddles 
• Mud holes
• Potholes
• Water holes

Camp on Durable Surfaces

Most parks; whether at the state or federal level, have dedicated campsites to make camping less impactful to the environment, and more enjoyable to all.  But if you find yourself primitive camping, ensure you look at the vegetation, soil, potential for wildlife encounters, and if your group will cause more damage than good to the area. 

Choosing a Campsite

• Avoid camping close to water and trails
• Choose a site not easily visible to others
• Camping 200 feet away from water is a best practice
• Obey regulations (in your area) for campsite selection 
• Choose a site earlier in the afternoon/evening 
• Best sites are already highly impacted (no further impacts potentially)

You can tell the popular areas.  These camp sites have already lost most of their vegetation.  Choosing your site in the late afternoon or early evening will also help with a good site, avoiding fatigue, lack of visibility and other factors that may affect decision making.  This way you can avoid, wildlife, high winds, be fairly close to water (200 ft), and always look up.  Make sure there are no broken branches or tree's decaying that may fall on you or your group.  

Ways to Not Disturb Remote Areas

• Spread out tents 
• Avoid repetitive traffic routes 
• Move camp every night
• Wear soft shoes around camp
• The durable surfaces of large rock slabs make good kitchen sites
• Minimize the number of trips to water by carrying water containers
• Camp about 200 feet from water is a good rule of thumb
• When breaking camp, take time to naturalize the site
• Rock, gravel or sand are excellent campsite choices
• Cooking areas, tents and backpacks should be located on rock, sand or gravel. 
• Limit your stay to no more than two nights
• Minimize removal of rocks/gravel

Remember the objective of Leave No Trace principles is to minimize impact to the environment, none so more important than at the campsite.  Using native materials (such as pine needles), raking matted grassy areas with a stick and other methods will help the area recover and make it less obvious as a campsite.  These are remote areas, so trying to keep them in their natural state is key.  This effort will remove any indications that this was a campsite, and other travelers may not camp there at all because of the remote look to it.  

#havelock #havelockchamber #LeaveNoTrace #heavycrownforge #robschneider

The Forge Awakens: An Introduction to Blacksmithing's Fiery Fun

Welcome to the exhilarating world of blacksmithing! Get ready to unleash your inner metal maestro and dive headfirst into the art of shaping red-hot iron with hammer and anvil. In this introductory guide, we'll walk you through the basics of blacksmithing, some of the quirky terminology to the essential tools that will turn you into a forging force to be reckoned with. So buckle up, grab your safety goggles, and let's forge ahead!

Demystifying the Blacksmithing Lingo:

Before we embark on this sizzling journey, let's demystify some of the quirky terminology that accompanies the craft. From the moment you step into the forge, you'll encounter words like "quench," "tongs," and "tempering" (Harries & Heer, 1993).  Don't worry; we won't leave you in the dark. Check out our sources below for a handy glossary of blacksmithing terms that will have you sounding like a seasoned smith in no time!

The Fiery Arsenal: 5 Basic Tools for Blacksmithing:

Now that you're familiar with the lingo, let's dive into the essential tools that will set your blacksmithing journey ablaze. These tools are the bread and butter of every blacksmith's arsenal, and they'll have you shaping metal like a pro in no time:

• Anvil: The rock-solid foundation of any blacksmith's workshop. This hefty chunk of metal is where the magic happens, as you shape and mold your red-hot creations.
  
  
  
  
• Forge: The heart and soul of your blacksmithing operation. This inferno of blazing heat provides the intense temperatures needed to soften and work the metal.  It can just also refer to the entire blacksmith shop.
  
  
  
  
• Hammer: Your trusty sidekick in the blacksmithing adventure. Whether it's a ball-peen, cross-peen, or rounding hammer, this tool will help you shape and refine your creations with each mighty strike.
  
  
  
  
• Tongs: The mighty pincers of the blacksmithing world. These specialized gripping tools allow you to handle the scorching hot metal with precision and finesse, ensuring your safety and control.
  
  
  
  
• Vise: The blacksmith's helping hand. This sturdy tool secures your workpiece, providing stability and allowing you to focus your hammer blows with accuracy.

Congratulations! You've just taken your first steps into the fiery realm of blacksmithing. Armed with newfound knowledge of blacksmithing terminology and the essential tools, you're ready to start your forging adventures. Continue reading this series, as we will go further into the realms of blacksmithing, increasing your terminology and knowledge to create!  Remember, blacksmithing is not only a craft but an art form that takes time, practice, and a dash of creativity. So, don your apron, pick up your hammer, and let the sparks fly as you embark on a journey filled with fire, metal, and endless possibilities!

Works Cited:

-Harries, B. & Heer, B. (1993).  Basic Blacksmithing:  An introduction to tool making with locally available materials.  London, UK:  Intermediate Technology Publications

**Disclaimer: Please exercise caution and prioritize safety when engaging in blacksmithing activities. Always wear appropriate protective gear, follow proper safety guidelines, and seek professional guidance when necessary.