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.