How to leave no trace when hiking
Hiking is an amazing — and cheap — way of experiencing and enjoying the natural beauty of new areas to which you are traveling. It's also one of the more socially-distant activities you can do. However, what seems to be a simple activity can, without us even realizing it, be very damaging to native species. Here are some simple tips to follow to make sure that we leave no impact during a vacation hike.
Stick to the Paths
This may sound like a petty 'teacher’s pet' thing to do, but it is of vital importance to prevent trail widening from occurring. Trail widening is when the soil around a path is broken up or loosened, making it more prone to erosion. Stick to the path and try to walk in the middle of the path, too. If it gets narrow, walk single file. If there is a muddy or wet patch in the middle of the path, then walk through it with boots. If you are hiking somewhere with no set path, hike on the most durable possible surfaces, such as large rocks instead of vegetation in order to avoid damaging the local flora and fauna as much as possible.
Related: 9 outdoorsy U.S. resorts perfect for a socially distant getaway
Also, when beginning a hike, check the regulations of the specific place you will be hiking for further information. Some places have limited paths at times of year when birds (such as puffins) may be nesting underground or when vegetation may be in a particularly vulnerable state.
Look, but Don’t Touch
Everything in nature is so intricately interconnected that moving one thing can have a butterfly effect throughout an entire food web or ecosystem. This is why it is so important to look and appreciate things with your eyes without picking up or physically moving anything that you see, including logs, rocks and flowers.
For example, rock stacking has become a popular trend on Instagram wherein people build rock stacks in beautiful locations, making for those awesome Insta-worthy travel photos. However, this is actually extremely damaging to the ecosystem, as it disturbs the habitat of small species that live, hide or seek refuge in or between rocks, as well as causing increased soil erosion by exposing the soil underneath where the rocks naturally fell. It has become so much of a problem that the practice has now been banned by many national parks across the world.
Related: More hikers could soon get permission to hike to the Wave in Arizona
Respect Wildlife
When out in nature, it's important to keep a respectful distance from any wildlife you may encounter. During a hike, we are the visitors in their home — not the other way around. This recommended safe distance will depend on the national park, the species you are viewing and the time of year. For example, a general rule of thumb is to maintain a distance of at least 300 feet when watching bears and wolves, as opposed to about 80 feet for birds. These are just rules of thumb, though keep your wits about you. See how the animal is reacting — do they seem stressed and aware of your presence, or are they just continuing their life without even realizing you are there? Are they venomous or otherwise dangerous? Do they have young with them that you could be stressing, and potentially even separating from their parent?
Related: 8 Survival Tips for Wilderness Hikes
Trash
Think about what you are taking with you on a hike. It's obviously important to be prepared with plenty of water and food, but ensure that anything you take with you, you take back with you so that we are not leaving behind any waste and polluting the natural landscape. The best option is to take everything in reusable containers with a cutlery set, avoiding any single-use plastics.
You could even take this one step further by picking up any other peoples' trash they have left behind along your way. For any real fitness fanatics, you could even try the most recent Scandinavian trend, 'plogging', or jogging whilst picking up litter.
Related: The Top 10 Hiking Trails and Campgrounds in the US, According to Google
Keep Noise Levels to a Minimum
It can be very tempting to take a speaker on a hike and play your favorite music out loud whilst walking through the wilderness. But this could be disruptive to the wildlife, as well as other people who have come out into the wild to seek solace and peace in nature. If you are someone who likes music on a hike, take a good pair of headphones with you, or hike with a buddy and spend the time talking to them.
This increased appreciation and awareness of the natural world whilst hiking will probably help you get more enjoyment from hikes anyway. Take only pictures, leave only the lightest of footprints and bring home only the memories. As the Native American proverb goes, “We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children”.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.