Minimize Desert Impacts

We have always had reluctance to see a tract of land which is empty of men as anything but a void. The "waste howling wilderness" of Deuteronomy is typical. The Oxford Dictionary defines wilderness as wild or uncultivated land which is occupied "only" by wild animals. Places not used by us are "wastes." Areas not occupied by us are "desolate." Could the desolation be in the soul of man?       John A. Livingston

Desert environments are the most fragile places to explore with small impacts possibly lasting years rather than months as they would in more fertile areas. A single piece of garbage may be preserved for decades instead of decaying in a few weeks. A footprint in rare soft ground may harden and still be there in the next rainy season.

Leave No Trace in the desert or other arid lands requires some special skills and knowledge beside the usual LNT activities:

• Plan Ahead
  
  • Learn about specific regulations and issues in the area, especially scarce water resources and fire dangers.
  • Plan trips for cooler times of the year.
  • Plan hikes to rest during the hottest times of the day.
• Durable Surfaces
  
  • Rock, gravel, or sand is often plentiful in arid areas. Use it for travel and camping if no existing trails or sites are in the area. You should never need to camp on any vegetation.
  • Use the most highly impacted campsite you can find so no additional disturbance occurs. Ensure the site is large enough for your group.
  • Beware of camping in low areas such as dry, sandy river bottoms or other spots that may become flooded from sudden rains.
  • Use alternate routes every time you walk around camp. Just like a field of vegetation, a field of sand can develop compacted paths that take longer to disappear.
• Campfire Impact
  
  • Since fuel is very scarce, the expectation should be that no campfires will be made.
• Dispose of Waste
  
  • Since there may be no organic soil in arid lands, the moisture and organisms that usually break down human waste in catholes are not present. In these situations, it is best to pack out human waste along with your other garbage.
    If you do make catholes, they rely on the heat of the sun to help break down the waste so the holes should not be too deep. Also, toilet paper should be packed out rather than covered in the cathole.
    Locating catholes on south-facing slopes, well away from trail, camp, and waterways (even if currently dry) will maximize decomposition and minimize impact.
• Leave What You Find
  
  • Leave organic litter such as pine needles or leafs laying where they are rather than scraping them away to smooth your tent site. They reduce soil erosion, hold moisture, and release scarce nutrients into the ground.
  • Crybtobiotic crust is an extremely fragile, living community of organisms found in the desert. It retains moisture and provides protection against erosion, giving other plantlife a foothold. This crust withstands the harsh environment, but the crushing force of even a single footstep will destroy it. Once broken, the crust can quickly disintegrate and a domino effect of erosion can occur, turning a previously stable area into shifting dunes of sand. Completely avoid cryptobiotic crust areas without developed trails since there is no minimal impact way to traverse them.
  • Desert pavement is gradually created over thousands of years as sand is blown away, leaving an open expanse of interlocking pebbles and stones. These stones sometimes develop a desert varnish coating, turning them dark. Removing any of these stones, or even overturning them, makes a visual impact for centuries. Ancient peoples made Intaglio artwork across the desert and they are still easily visible - except where they've been vandalized.
    Avoid walking on desert pavement.
• Respect Wildlife
  
  • Scarce water is especially important to wildlife. Make sure you camp far from any water sources and animal trails leading to water.
  • Gather water during day and avoid water sources afte dark. Most desert animals come out at night and you will minimize your impact on their activities.
  • Do not swim or wash in water holes. This may be the only water available for all the animals in the area and one mistake can have dire impact on all the local wildlife.
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors
  
  • Match your gear and clothing colors to the surroundings so your group blends in.
  • Be aware of the needs of native cultures. Some sites are sacred and may be regulated at certain times of the year. Check with local authorities when planning your trip.
  • Take only as much water as you need and then return to your camp. Others may be waiting for you to finish before getting water in an effort to be considerate of you.