Clean-up

The 7 Leave No Trace Principles

1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
3. Dispose of waste properly
4. Leave what you find
5. Minimize campfire impacts
6. Respect wildlife
7. Be considerate of others

How to Adhere to These Principles when Backcountry Cooking

Before Travel

  • Portion out all meals to make sure all food will be eaten during your trip. No one should go hungry, but ensure everyone will have a pre-set, appropriate amount of food allotted for them. (LNT Principle #1)
  • If you plan to cook over a fire, ensure the campsites you’re traveling to have designated fire rings. (LNT Principle #5)

Cooking in the Backcountry

  • While cooking, be mindful of spillage while stirring or frying, serving and eating. (LNT Principle #3)

Cleaning in the Backcountry

  • When cleaning, scrape all utensils and pots as clean as you can. Scraper/sponge can also help clean hard to reach places or cooked on food.
  • Using hot/warm water can help loosen up food particles on dishes.
  • Be cautious of using soap in the backcountry, it is hard to wash dishes thoroughly when you don’t have access to large amounts of water.
  • Grey water = old dishwater, used to wash any dishes
  • Disposal:
    • Always use a strainer to catch larger food particles from washing the dish
    • Can be buried in a “cat hole” 8 inches deep, scattered away from campsite, trail, or water, or in designated dishwashing sink area of campsite More Info 
  • Always pack out your leftover food scraps including the ones in your strainer (LNT Principle #3) More Info
  • Before the bear hang is put up, as a group, do a thorough sweep of your campsite, picking up every scrap of trash and food no matter how small, and putting it in your bear hang. This will prevent critters from eating the food, which results in them becoming more accustomed to having visitors, disrupting natural ecosystems. (LNT Principles #3 and #6)

Post Travel

  • Sort leftover food at home by storing what’s still good and properly disposing of spoiled items. (LNT Principle #1) 

Thoroughly wash dishes, utensils, and any cooking equipment when you return. Ensures appropriate hygiene, and that no bacteria grows in the used dishes. Now they’re ready to go out in the backcountry the next time you need them. (LNT Principle #1)

Quiz

Take this Backcountry Kitchen Clean-Up Quiz to test your new cleaning knowledge!