Introduction 

In this modern age, we are battling the biggest demon there is- the demon of pollution. Sadly our pristine mountains, especially the mighty Himalayas are slowly getting in its grasp. Trekkers’ lack of awareness and accountability of practising low-impact hiking, lack of governmental intervention in sustainable, green hiking practices, and its implementation are all contributing factors to the overall diminishing value of Himalayan treks. There are a few eco-friendly activities you can indulge in to keep your mind, body and soul refreshed and rejuvenated. Hiking is all the more enjoyable when it’s sustainable, eco-friendly and in harmony with nature. It is a hobby that requires not only the utmost respect and gratitude for one’s own health environment and nature but also for fellow trekkers and trekkers to be in the generation next. With that all being said, here are a few tips for your convenience to practice low-impact hiking in your next trek ahead.

BRING YOUR OWN REUSABLE BOTTLE AND CUTLERY

 No good can come from the use of single-use plastic. Plastic is one of the biggest polluters and is a common name across different genres of pollution and single-use plastic might be the worst of the lot. So even if you’re a first-time trekker or an avid one, we strongly emphasize and recommend the use of reusable water bottles. 

It is less likely to end up in landfills or in the ocean and would definitely be helpful in significantly less carbon footprint generation. It takes more water to produce a single-use plastic bottle than the water it can actually hold.

Your reusable water bottle can be either glass but that may be risky to carry so steel or even virgin hard plastic. 

 You can also carry your own metal/steel forks and spoon and a small plate with an edge to use. The use of cutlery instead of hands saves water and helps keep things in order.

STAYING ON MARKED TRAILS ONLY

It indeed is tempting for a hiker to indulge in some off-the-beaten-path trail exploration to gratify your inner adventurer. But hiking trails are there for a reason- they act to ensure your safety as well as to protect the environment. Going off the hiking trail may result in you unwittingly trampling over fragile topsoil and surface vegetation. You can also be disturbing the organic matter that protects land from erosion

DON’T FEED ANIMALS

Temptations may be great but please refrain from feeding or interacting in any way with wild animals. Respecting wildlife and minding your own business will neither jeopardize the state of the animals nor you. Untoward feeding may cause complications in their feeding patterns. Modern fruits through hybridization have resulted in a sweeter flavour which is completely different from its wild counterparts. Sugar is addictive and human food is highly processed so please don’t feed them. Another thing is to avoid plucking flora as memorabilia as it only takes one precedent for everyone else to follow and this act alone might have a destructive impact on local environmental resources.

NO OPEN FIRES

If the trail doesn’t have a dedicated fire campsite, then use a portable camping stove to boil water or cook a light meal. This would significantly reduce the accidental chances of a wildfire. Creating an open fire in undesignated areas can burn tree roots or any kind of vegetation growing and even attract wild animals.

 Even if the campsite has a premeditated campfire spot, using established fire rings is only prudent. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.

PROPER DISPOSAL OF TRASH

Waste management and its proper disposal is a crucial part of sustainable green hiking. So it’s only prudent to have a plan of trash disposal before you embark on your green hiking.
At Chasing Clouds, we take litter very seriously and we firmly believe in the “Leave no trace behind” principle. We carry out our own waste disposal only after coming down on the plains. Hence, we strictly adhere to dry toilets and use toilet paper. Wet wipes are strictly forbidden as they aren’t eco-friendly and take a lot of time to biodegrade into the soil. If you absolutely have to, then sprinkle some water onto the paper and use it to wipe.
In case of plastic wrappers, keep them together in a plastic or paper bag which can be stored on the side panels of extra water bottle spaces of your backpack.
You can carry enough plastic and ziplock bags for garbage disposal. Carry a soft collapsible box to use inside the tent, if necessary, to put your belongings and trinkets in it.
This one is for our women trekkers who might be interested in contributing to sustainable hiking practices while trekking during their menstrual cycle. We recommend menstrual cups or cloth or period self-absorbing panties. But if you have difficulty using those, then you can carry pads or tampons but make sure to carry them back down. Dispose of them once you get back to the city.

HYGIENE SELF ETIQUETTE 

Carry a small cotton towel or any natural fiber, wet it a little and use it to get rid of dirt and sweat. Also, if you refuse to compromise on your skin’s cleansing, then pro tip, carry a small bottle of micellar water as it can act as a cleanser and you don’t need to wash it off with water to keep your face really clean. 

Carry some aloe vera gel as it’s a cheap and effective soothing agent and can double up as a lip balm too. Ideally to be applied after reaching the campsite. You can also carry hand sanitisers to avoid using water and soap/liquid hand wash to get rid of dust, dirt and germs. 

For hair, neatly tying it up into pigtails or braids would prevent damage or breakage.

Cut your finger and toenails as those collect a lot of dirt all throughout the trek. Keeping them clean and tidy would also save water and time.

For oral care, use hot water. Rinsing after every meal also would prevent bad breath. If you’re fastidious, you can try dry brushing but without toothpaste.

The next thing you can do is change your underwear to prevent smelling. Pack enough inners with you. Also using cotton or linen and other breathable material is better than thermals. Air drying your already worn clothes would also help stave off odour. Have a dedicated pair of clothes to sleep in. 

CAMPSITE HYGIENE ETIQUETTE 

While sharing the campsite with your fellow teammates, hygiene constitutes basic civility towards each other. So it’s important you use the campsite, keeping others in mind as well.

 Don’t wear your shoes inside the tent. Keeping the tent tidy is a must so an occasional sweep with a big bandana or old t-shirt would prove helpful.

 Carry a roll of sellotape as it can help fix a lot of things.

BYOF- BRING YOUR OWN FOOD

   Ready-to-eat meal packs indeed are convenient but they are far from being sustainable. It would really be ideal if you could cook your own goods or ration the produce and make accordingly. Doing so will reduce packaging waste and food miles and ultimately your carbon footprint.

 Easy-to-make food is oats porridge, soup in a hot thermos, hard-boiled eggs, powdered milk and cornflakes, puffed rice, some boiled potatoes and many more. You can also dine at local eateries in teahouses, guesthouses, homestays and hostels to switch things a bit.

SUSTAINABLE GEAR

 High-quality gear made with sustainable, environment-friendly material is an absolute must. Yes, they may be pricier than your average alternatives, but the high-quality ones were made by using less water and you as a consumer would be impressed by their durability, longevity and reliability. 

 But this absolutely does not mean that you have to throw out your previous equipment or swap them. This is a point of consideration for young, new trekkers who want to think about nature before they embark. 

KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEASH

 Trekking with your fur baby is double the fun. But keeping them leashed at all times is a necessity, for their safety and the safety of wildlife. Their roaming around and running about without their leash may seriously endanger natural fauna. They may run into some deer or bears or wolves and it indeed would get messy. So leashing them would be beneficial to ensure their safety. You should also let them sleep alongside you, inside the tent to avoid cold or wildlife or both. 

If you follow at least some of these tips, it’s sure to ameliorate your green trekking experience while taking care of nature.