Leave no trace Principle

3. DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY

"Pack it in, pack it out" isn’t just a saying — it’s a mindset.

Proper waste disposal is critical to protecting water sources, wildlife, and the climbing experience for others. Waste can mean many things: food scraps, tape, wrappers, toilet paper, human waste, and even spilled chalk. Each type of waste has the potential to pollute, disrupt ecosystems, or create visual blight.

In climbing environments — where we eat, belay, rest, and even poop far from restrooms — following this principle helps preserve access and shows respect for the land.

HUMAN WASTE

Improper disposal of human waste is one of the most serious threats to access and environmental health, especially in popular climbing areas.

WHEN TO BURY AND WHEN TO PACK OUT

CATHOLES (WHEN APPROPRIATE)

  • Where: Forested or wilderness zones with deep organic soil

  • How:

    • Dig a hole 6–8 inches deep, 4–6 inches wide

    • At least 200 feet from water, trails, and camps

    • Cover with soil and disguise the site when finished

  • Toilet paper: Best practice is to pack it out (in a sealed bag), though in some cases it may be buried if it decomposes and is not scented or dyed

NEVER BURY IN:

  • Alpine or desert environments, where soil is thin and fragile

  • Rocky or compacted ground where digging is impossible

  • High-use areas, where many catholes become a health hazard

WAG BAGS /TOILET SYSTEMS

  • Where: Required in many parks (e.g., Indian Creek, Whitney Zone, Tetons), or when catholes aren't viable

  • Why: They contain waste in sealed, double-lined bags that are safe to carry out and dispose of in the trash

Example: When guiding alpine routes in the Sierra or climbing in the desert Southwest, I carry wag bags and teach clients how to use them confidently — because leaving waste behind isn't an option.

TRASH & MICRO-TRASH

Trash left behind is one of the most visible and preventable signs of human impact.

  • Food wrappers, tape, bandaids, chalk balls, foil tabs, fruit peels, and gum are common micro-trash items at the base of climbs

  • Bring a ziplock bag for wrappers, trash, and used TP

  • Inspect the area before you leave — especially under rocks or bushes where wind may blow trash

Best Practices: Pick up other people’s trash when you find it. It’s a simple way to leave the place better than you found it.

HYGIENE PRODUCTS

  • Used wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, dental floss, and toothpaste should always be packed out — none of these break down in nature

  • For brushing your teeth, scatter toothpaste (200 ft from water) rather than spitting in one spot

FOOD SCRAPS & LEFTOVERS

  • Don’t bury food — animals will dig it up

  • Even “natural” waste (apple cores, orange peels, sunflower seeds) takes a long time to decompose and conditions wildlife to associate humans with food

  • Store all food securely (especially overnight) and pack out everything, even cooking water with particles in it when possible

CHALK & CLIMBING-SPECIFIC WASTE

  • Chalk spills and tick marks are a type of visual pollution

    • Brush tick marks and excess chalk off the rock

    • Use neutral-colored chalk when possible

    • Avoid spilling chalk near water or vegetation

  • Athletic tape is not biodegradable — pack it out

  • Old gear, sling scraps, broken biners, and tape anchors should be removed if you place them — don’t leave "trash gear" behind unless it's truly fixed

PET WASTE

  • If you bring a dog to the crag, clean up after them just like in a city park

  • Dog poop left near trails or staging areas causes smell, contamination, and is a major reason some areas ban dogs

Why it matters

When waste is left behind — even “small” stuff like a banana peel or a single piece of tape — it sends a message that this place doesn’t deserve care. Multiply that by hundreds of climbers, and beautiful areas become trashed, contaminated, and potentially closed.

Proper disposal of waste shows that climbers are part of the solution, not the problem.