Leave No Trace on Mount Washington

Each year, about 250,000 people visit Mount Washington. About 50,000 of these visitors are hikers, climbers, and skiers who come to enjoy the mountain's backcountry trails, crags, gullies and slopes.

How can backcountry visitors do their part to make sure that the mountain experience remains as wild and beautiful as possible? Only by taking steps to limit their impact, and to make sure that they leave no trace of their passage.

In the last few decades, the basic concept of "Leave No Trace" has been expanded to reflect the growing need for visitors to wild areas to be conscientious of their actions. Members of the scientific and academic communities, outdoor educators and land managers have developed seven "Leave No Trace" principles. Here are some examples visitors to Mount Washington may apply these principles to their actions on the mountain:

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 Other Visitors

The Mount Washington Observatory is a non-profit partner of Leave No Trace, Inc.. Leave No Trace, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. . For more information about Leave No Trace principles, visit http://www.LNT.org, or call their toll free number (800-332-4100).

This material was based in part from materials provided by Leave No Trace, Inc. Leave No Trace material (in bold text throughout this section) is copyrighted by Leave No Trace, Inc. and the National Outdoor Leadership School, and is used here with permission from LNT, Inc.