The 7 Ps

The first principle of Leave No Trace is "Plan Ahead and Prepare". This is, of course, the most important principle, because it seems as though all of our impacts stem from a simple truth: we didn't take the time to think the situation through. If everyone became conscious of their abilities, skills and limitations, and then adjusted them for whatever environment they planned to enter, the opportunity to create impacts would simply not arise as often.

For example: your friends want to hike a 14er, but you're too out of shape to do it on their schedule. You refuse to share your reduced ability level out of pride, and find yourself slowing the group to the point that a campsite has to be created complete with fire ring in a less than ideal place. The impact may seem reasonable to you at that time, but once your group leaves, your story goes with it and all that is left is what seems like another unsightly, poorly-planned mark on the land.

The more time you spend in the wilderness, the more you understand that there is no rescuing warm-bosomed Earth Mother who will save you from the rushing river or the cracking lightning. The land is what it is; it does not love or hate you, it simply is. You have only yourself to rely on, and this challenge, when properly understood, is its own reward.

As my Dad always says, follow the 7 Ps: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

I came across a great blog today that fully illustrates my point. At Hiker Hell, stories of things gone awry can be funny or tragic, but all share one common thread -- they could have been avoided by a little more thought and a little less wishful thinking. Have fun.