Leave no trace Principle

2. TRAVEL AND CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES

Minimize your impact by sticking to surfaces that can handle it.

This principle is all about where you move, rest, belay, and camp. Every footstep or rope drag has an effect — and when climbers wander off-trail, stash gear off-route, or spread out too widely at the base of a crag, it can result in erosion, soil loss, damaged vegetation, and long-term degradation of the landscape.

In climbing, these impacts are concentrated in specific zones — approaches, belay areas, bouldering pads, staging areas, and camps. Understanding what surfaces are durable — and how to use them responsibly — is key to preserving access and protecting the land.

TRAVEL: APPROACHES, DESCENTS & CRAG NAVIGATION

USE ESTABLISHED TRAILS WHENEVER POSSIBLE

  • If a trail exists, use it — even if it’s longer or less direct. Cutting switchbacks or creating your own path causes trail braiding and slope erosion.

Example: In places like Red Rock Canyon, sandstone cliffs are surrounded by fragile cryptobiotic soil. Walking off-trail here causes decades of damage.

IF THERE IS NO ESTABLISHED TRAIL:

  • Walk on durable surfaces:

    • Rock slabs

    • Gravel

    • Dry grass

    • Sand

    • Snow

  • Avoid walking on soft vegetation, wet meadows, moss, or lichen. These are easily damaged and slow to recover.

BOULDERING APPROACHES

  • Stick to already compacted paths or use natural features (like rocks or dry logs) to minimize widening the access zone.

BELAY & STAGING AREAS

These are often high-use zones where impact accumulates quickly. Here's how to minimize it:

CHOOSE A DURABLE BELAY STANCE

  • Rock, sand, or gravel are ideal. Avoid standing or sitting on plants, soil, or roots.

  • Use a rope tarp or sling your rope neatly — don’t throw it on grass, dirt, or brush where it can trample life or collect debris.

BE MINDFUL OF GEAR SPREAD

  • Keep bags, shoes, water, and snacks centralized in one durable zone — don’t sprawl across multiple impact points.

  • For bouldering, only place crash pads where you intend to climb, not across a wide perimeter “just in case.”

Nuance: “Sprawling out” is one of the most common ways climbers unintentionally damage soil and vegetation, especially in dispersed areas.

CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES

Whether you're car camping or deep in the backcountry, your tent site matters.

IN ESTABLISHED AREAS:

  • Use designated campsites when provided — they’re usually placed in durable zones by land managers for this reason.

IN UNDEVELOPED OR WILDERNESS AREAS:

  • Camp at least 200 feet from water sources to protect fragile riparian zones.

  • Choose a site on:

    • Rock

    • Gravel

    • Snow

    • Dry, dead grass

  • Avoid pitching tents on:

    • Lush meadows

    • Moss

    • Wet soil

    • Areas where no signs of previous use exist (unless following dispersal rules)

DISPERSED CAMPING TIP:

If you’re in a pristine area and staying just one night, disperse your impact — don’t make it look like a permanent campsite.
If you’re in a high-use area, concentrate your impact in established zones.

WEATHER & ROCK TYPE CONSIDERATIONS: CLIMBING RESPONSIBLY AFTER RAIN

Understanding how different rock types respond to moisture is a key part of minimizing long-term damage to climbing areas. Rock can become weaker, more fragile, and more prone to permanent breakage after rain, especially in certain environments.

WHY IT MATTERS

Climbing on wet or saturated rock can:

  • Break holds or entire features off the wall

  • Create permanent scars in the rock face

  • Lead to serious injuries from unexpected breakage

  • Accelerate erosion around the base of climbs

  • Undermine bolts or anchors embedded in softened stone

Respecting weather closures and understanding when not to climb is an essential part of Leave No Trace stewardship.

ROCK TYPE CONSIDERATIONS

SANDSTONE (E.G., RED ROCK CANYON, ZION, MOAB)

  • Highly absorbent: water seeps into the rock, weakening its internal structure

  • Recommended wait time: at least 24–72 hours after measurable precipitation, depending on sun, wind, and humidity

  • Why it matters: Wet sandstone is fragile and prone to breaking, often irreversibly. Breaking a single hold can alter or ruin a classic route forever.

Thomas’s Note: “In Red Rock, I always advise waiting at least 48 hours after rain before returning to climbing. If it’s cloudy, cold, or the route is in the shade, I give it even more time. It’s not worth the risk to the rock or yourself.”

LIMESTONE (E.G., RIFLE, RUMNEY, MAPLE CANYON)

  • Less porous than sandstone, but can still become slick and unsafe when wet

  • Recommended wait time: 6–24 hours, depending on temperature, sun, and drainage

  • Why it matters: While the rock itself may not degrade as fast, wet holds can break and increase fall risk. Sharp features may chip or crumble when soft.

GRANITE (E.G., YOSEMITE, HIGH SIERRA, RMNP)

  • Durable and low absorption, but lichen and topsoil become slick and dangerous

  • Recommended wait time: Usually safe once surfaces are visibly dry, unless freezing conditions are present

  • Why it matters: Slippery conditions lead to higher risk of injury. Also, wet cracks and corners can freeze overnight and damage gear placements or rock integrity.

GENERAL BEST PRACTICES

  • Avoid walking on muddy trails or staging areas after heavy rain — this leads to deep erosion grooves and trail widening

  • If the approach trail is saturated, consider an alternate objective or rest day

  • Watch for crumbling holds, slick surfaces, or seeping cracks

  • Ask local rangers, climbers, or guidebooks for area-specific recommendations

Traveling and camping on durable surfaces might feel like a small act, but in popular climbing zones, thousands of footsteps add up fast. Erosion, trail widening, and habitat damage often begin with a few people stepping off-route. When climbers are intentional with their presence, it shows that we care — and that helps keep crags open and landscapes healthy.