UMOC Hiking and Backpacking Guidelines

The following procedures shall be guidelines and required of all hiking and backpacking trip leaders. The prospective trip leader must meet the following requirements before becoming eligible for a vote in the business meeting.

Hiking
-Co-lead a minimum of two Outing Club trips, acting as the primary trip leader on the second trip
-Participating in the next available Leadership Training Weekend
-Follow Leave No Trace ethics (see Appendix A)
-Ensure that all participants are prepared with the appropriate clothing and equipment to be safe (see Appendix B)
-Understand and apply knowledge of group dynamics

Backpacking
-Follow all rules from above list, plus the following
-Demonstrate competency in backpacking knowledge as a trip leader on a minimum of one Outing Club trip
-Orientation/navigation (map and compass)
-Camp set-up
-Proper stove usage and backcountry cooking
-Proper bear bag technique
-Thoroughly explaining “how to poop in the woods”
-Thoroughly explaining how to stay warm, healthy, and safe (hike, break, and sleep)
-Double check all group gear rented from UMOC equipment locker (see Appendix C)

Appendix A
Leave No Trace Ethics
Plan Ahead and Prepare
-Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
-Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
-Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
-Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
-Repackage food to minimize waste.
-Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
-Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
-Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
-Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
-In popular areas:
   Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
   Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
   Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
-In pristine areas:
   Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
   Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

Dispose of Waste Properly
-Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
-Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
-Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
-To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Leave What You Find
-Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
-Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
-Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
-Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

Minimize Campfire Impacts
-Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
-Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
-Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
-Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

Respect Wildlife
-Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
-Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
-Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
-Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
-Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors
-Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
-Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
-Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
-Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
-Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises
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Appendix B
Day hike
____ Day pack
____ Water (leader discretion)
____ Snacks
____ Flashlight or headlamp Pocket
____ knife
____ Rain gear (jacket and pant)
____ Polypropylene clothing
____ Extra clothing
____ Extra socks
____ Hiking boots
____ Warm layer
____ Whistle
____ Insect repellent
____ Hat
____ Money/ID
____Camera/film (optional)
____ Watch
____ Notebook (optional)
____ Bandana
____ Personal medications

Backpacking
____Backpack (60 liters or more)
____ Water (2 liters or more)
____ Sleeping bag
____ Sleeping pad
____ Rain gear (jacket and pant)
____ Fleece jacket or pullover
____ Lightweight hiking pant (fast drying material)
____ Polypropylene top and bottom
____ Hiking shorts (fast drying material; late spring through early fall only)
____ 2 Polypropylene t-shirts
____ Sun hat and winter cap
____ Polypropylene underwear
____ Snacks
____ Flashlight or headlamp
____ Pocket knife
____ 3 pairs of wool socks
____ Hiking boots
____ Winter gloves/mittens (winter only)
____ Gaiters (winter only)
____ Whistle
____ Insect repellent
____ Money/ID
____ Camera/film (optional)
____ Watch
____ Notebook (optional)
____ Bandana
____ Personal medications
____ Mess kit (spoon, bowl, cup)
____ Toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste

Appendix C
Group gear
____ Tent(s)
____ Footprint(s)
____ Stakes
____ Group rain tarp
____ First aid kit
____ Stove(s)
____ Fuel canisters (w/ fuel)
____ Cooking pots/pans
____ Cooking utensils
____ Waterproof matches/lighter
____ Extra freezer zip bags
____ Duct tape
____ 50 feet p-cord
____ Bear bag and rope
____ Water purification method
____ Map and compass
____ Repair kit
____ Camp soap/sponge
____ Toilet paper/trowel/anti-bacterial cleaning gel

This page was last updated on Tuesday, 06-Nov-2007 20:31:02 EST

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