Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast

Episode 93

Eco-Friendly Camping

Spending time in the outdoors is by far one of my favorite things to do. That is why I love living in the middle of the forest. I can walk out my door and enjoy nature without ever leaving home.  But, there are times when I do want to leave the homestead and spend time somewhere else. 

However, as with any other thing we do, spending time outdoors also produces an impact on environmental. From how you travel, to the gear you purchase, how you build a campfire, and disposing of trash it all leaves an environmental footprint.

If you want to spend time outside and still be environmentally friendly, then this is an episode for you. 

Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is episode 93 which is simply called Tips and Tricks for Eco-Friendly Camping

But before we get started I want to remind everyone that if you would like to contact me with comments, questions, or even thoughts and suggests on topics of interest, please feel free to contact me at adventuresinsustainableliving@gmail.com. Repeat. 

So, let’s get right down to this weeks topic which is eco-friendly camping. 

There are several things I want to cover in this episode; 

What is eco-friendly camping

What are the benefits to eco friendly camping

Then I want to talk about the gear that you use

Tips to minimize your impact

Now just so you will have some appreciation for what I am discussing I think it will help if I take a minute and explain a little about how my homestead is situated relative to the national forest. I want to explain some of the things that I see on a regular basis so that you will understand why this topic is important. 

My property is situated on top of a ridge. It is part of a total of 160 acres that are surrounded by national forest. The north side of the property faces the end of the country road that leads to the trail head. If I take the road, it is about 2 1/2 miles, so about 4 kilometers to the trail head. 

For most of the time I have lived there, there were numerous free camping sites along that road. During the peak season, every Sunday afternoon, I would take the ATV, a shovel and a trash bag to go clean up trash. I would put out smoldering campfires, pick up trash and sometimes repair damage from  people using off road vehicles. 

After many years of abuse, the forest along the creek was trampled, most of the grass was gone, the willows were dying back, trees were illegally cut, and others were dying from people attempting to chop them down for firewood.

Finally, the Forest Service closed the entire area to any sort of free camping. Unless you hike into the back country, camping is now restricted to the campground. It only took one season for there to be significant evidence of environmental recovery. The following year there was tall grass, lots of wild flowers, and things were started to markedly recover. But this all happened before the pandemic. 

Once the pandemic set in, people were ordered to stay at home, work from home, many businesses were closed, and people had an emotional need to get out. For hundreds of people their best option was to do something outside. So in many ways I am happy to see that people were returning to the outdoors. This was a good healthy option, just get outside. For the first time since I had lived at the homestead, there were times that the parking lot at the trail head was over flowing. 

But now camping is still restricted to the campground, which is a change I am happy to see. But, whenever I drive home to the cabin, I have to first cross over a section of national forest. And part of that is driving through through the campground. And I can tell you it is like having my own personal gear review every time I drive home. From people who are camping in a small tent to those that have big fancy RVs, I see a wide range of products and gear. Sometimes I even stop and ask people where they purchased that piece of gear because it looks amazingly rigid and functional. 

But in many ways it is rather entertaining to see how people set up their campsites and especially those campers that literally bring everything except for the kitchen sink. It makes me think of the times when my Dad took us on camping trips in north Georgia and we took only the minimal gear needed for the trip. And since I am more or less a minimalist, that is how I think of camping.  On one hand I am happy to see that more people are reaching for a healthy alternative to what is typically called the “great American indoors”. But on the other hand, just like anything else, if we are going to enjoy the outdoors, we need to do it responsibly because everything we do has an impact. 

Living where I do, over the past 25 years I have encountered so many people that think once they are in the mountains and away from the city, now is the opportunity to do whatever it is they like. After all, no one is looking over their shoulder, they feel as if the rules no longer apply, and they can get away with whatever they want. 

So, now that you know my perspective on this issue you know why I think this is important and why that is the focus of this episode. If you are going to enjoy the outdoors, do it responsibly because everything we do has an impact. 

So, what exactly is eco-friendly camping? 

First of all you will also hear the terms zero waste camping or sustainable camping which basically mean the same thing.

Well, all of these terms are used in reference to environmental friendly camping. Anyone can take a trip into the outdoors and pitch a tent and come home and say they went camping. But the question is are you doing that while making it your top priority to leave only footprints. Eco-friendly camping involves everything from where you go, how you get there, what equipment you purchase and what you do once you are there. 

If you really think about it, this is no different from having a sustainable lifestyle. An eco-friendly persons reuses, recycles, reduces their waste, conserves energy and natural resources, and they are always conscious that everything they do has an impact on other people and on the natural world. All of these concepts directly transfer to spending time in the outdoors. 

Benefits of Eco Camping

So, what exactly are the benefits of eco-camping? Why should you bother with the extra effort?

Leave only footprints

First and foremost, just like anything else in life, when you think of enjoying the outdoors, you need to think in terms of leaving only footprints. What that means is whenever you use a campsite, leave it the way you found it. In fact, if someone else has left trash or damaged the site in any way, you should take a little time to repair that. You have to consider that fact that there are going to be other people coming behind you to use the same site. 

People repeatedly using the same campsite in itself tends to promote environmental damage. Part of the concept of sustainability is what we leave for the next generation. Consequently, I think a better approach other than leaving a place the way you found it is leaving a place in better condition than what you found it. 

Environmental Conservation

Very simply put, leaving only footprints promotes environmental conservation. Preserving the natural environment is the only way that it will be enjoyed for generations to come. There is nothing worse than making the effort to get out in the middle of no where only to arrive and find it damaged by someone else. If you are camping in an area where there are other people, your efforts at conservation will get noticed and others will start to think perhaps they should behave in exactly the same way. 

Immerse Yourself in Nature

One of the major benefits to eco-friendly camping is the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature. Some of my best experiences have been sitting in a tent out in the forest and completely away from other people. When I do this, I tend to make very little noise. Not only do I get to enjoy the natural beauty with the total absence of man-made sound, I tend to encounter a lot of wildlife. 

And maybe this would make lots of people nervous, but I have had numerous up close encounters with deer, elk, big horn sheep, bear, mountain lions, bobcats, fox, coyotes, moose, hawks, eagles, and the list goes on. Truly nothing gives me more pleasure than seeing critters like this.

There have been numerous studies proving the health benefits of spending time in nature. From a personal perspective, if I spend a little too much time working and not having time outdoors, I start craving it. It really does a lot to improve my attitude. I truly believe that if more people spent time enjoying the peace and quiet of the natural world, there would be a lot less angry people in the world. 

Improves Your Knowledge of the Natural World

An additional benefit to immersing yourself in the natural world, is that you start learning new things. Seeing wildlife that you have never seen before encourages you to learn about it. And once you learn how amazing some of these animals really are, you start to care about them. People tend to care about what they know. And people tend to protect what they care about.

Reduces Greenhouse Gas Production

Another benefit is that spending time outdoors reduces your greenhouse gas production. Camping trips are often spent close to home. This means there are no airline flights involved. Additionally, you are not using hotels. A hotel stay has a much greater environmental impact because of the waste production and the high use of disposable products. If done correctly, camping can produce zero waste and near zero environmental impact other than the energy used to get you where you are going. 

Saves You Money

And speaking of hotels, camping is far less expensive than staying in a hotel. Not only that, state parks, national parks, and other camping facilities charge a lot more for camping sites that have facilities such as showers and electric hookups. There are numerous ways to avoid this expense and have some reasonable level of comfort. 

I can tell you about numerous camping trips I’ve been on where I had no access to such facilities. One memorable experience was a kayaking trip on southeast Alaska. After the first week of kayaking all of us were dirty from head to toe and in desperate need of a shower. But our only option was to bathe in an ice cold waterfall. But that was more acceptable than continuing to smell the way we did.  

That said, with the right gear, you can get a good shower without having to stay in a hotel, an expensive campground, or bathing in an ice cold stream. For example, when I take longer driving trips, for either business or pleasure, I take some of my camping gear long with me. That includes a waterproof tent that fits over the bed of my truck, my camping stove, a portable shower that is a simple 2 gallon tank with a shower head that can be pressurized, a portable composting toilet, and a pop up privacy tent that can be used for a toilet facility or a shower tent. All of this gear cost me less than a three night stay in a hotel. In other words, it paid for itself after one trip. 

And I do want to remind my listeners something I have consistently discovered about living sustainably. And this holds true about camping trips as well. It actually saves you money. And if you do not believe me then go back and listen to E84 which is called The True Cost of Sustainable Living. 

Tips on Sustainable Camping Gear

Now that we have set the stage for sustainability in the outdoors, let’s talk a bit about gear. The first and best thing you can do is figure out what you already have because the most sustainable gear is what you already own. But if you are missing certain essentials consider renting some gear especially if you are not going to go camping on a regular basis. 

Another good option is to purchase second hand gear. Online stores such as OfferUp, Patagonia, REI often sell secondhand gear. EBay is also a great place to find used gear. I actually found a 4 season tent on eBay that had only been used once and I purchased it for a fraction of what it would cost brand new.

Beyond that, look for gear with companies that have a reputation for sustainable practices. Companies such as Patagonia, TenTree, Icebreaker, and North Face all have great reputations. 

For example, North Face has sleeping bags that are made from all recycled materials. The Thermo-rest brand sleeping pads are an excellent choice. These pads are derived from petroleum based materials but they are extremely durable. I have had the same Thermo-Rest pad for 25 years and it is still going strong. 

If you are in need of a camping stove, purchase a stove with a refillable fuel bottle. These are far more environmentally friendly than purchasing small tanks of compressed gas which are very convenient but difficult to recycle. 

Additional Tips for Sustainable Camping 

Now there are so many choices for sustainable gear these days so take the time to shop around. Camping sustainably is very similar to sustainable travel. But, here are some further tips for making your trips much more enjoyable. 

Avoid crowded locations

One of my favorite things to do when I go camping is to avoid the crowds. But due to the availability of information on various destination as well as improved access,  some places get completely overrun. Consequently, the environment just can’t handle the volume of traffic without taking a beating. So try to avoid places such as this.

For example, one of my favorite places close to the cabin to go hiking was a place called Guanella Pass and Mount Bierstadt. For many years you had to drive a very narrow  rough dirt road to get there. And the road was closed 6 months out of the year due to heavy snow.  But, the state decided to widen AND pave the road. The last time I went up there I stopped counting at 300 cars.  I have not been back since. 

Go in the off season

Another great thing you can do to avoid the crowds is go camping in the off season. I have had by far some of my best camping experiences doing this. I once did a 2 week solo kayaking trip at an extremely popular lake and never saw a single person because I went in January. It was fantastic.  

Go local

One good way to be more environmentally friendly is go local. That said, there are some amazing destinations in the world that can be reached only by flying. So, minimize your impact by alternating what you do. If you fly once, go on a local trip the next time. 

Go Zero Waste

My next tip is to go zero waste. What I mean by this is avoid using single use plastics. Always purchase gear that can be used over and over again. With few exceptions, I actually have the same gear that I purchased over 20 years ago. This is because I purchased high quality gear up front and I have never had to replace it. And hopefully it goes without saying to purchase reusable water bottles.  

I actually have a small storage trunk that sits in my storage shed with my basic camping necessities already packed. I keep it stocked and ready to go. I do this so I can take a quick trip on short notice, not forget things, I can stay organized and minimize my waste. 

And speaking of waste, I know these freeze dried light weigh meals are convenient, but you can actually make most of these things at home. I typically purchase food in bulk anyway. But I make my own granola, trail mix, soup mixes, dried fruit and vegetables. Not only do I eat healthy but I also save a considerable amount of money by doing things myself. 

Pack out your garbage

And continuing this thought process of zero waste, if you do have waste pack it out. Anything you bring with you take it back home. Clean up after yourself, pack out your trash and even your own poop. If you need to bury your poop be sure to dig a hole at least 6 inches deep. And please do not leave your toilet paper behind. 

Biodegradable non-toxic products

If you spend enough time in the outdoors, sooner or later you are going to have to wash some dishes and clean yourself up. This is when you need to be mindful of the cleaning products that you use. Biodegradable soaps are by far the best. Dr Bonners or Castile Soap are good examples. I use these products for washing dishes and taking a shower. 

Keep in mind that when it comes to showering or disposing of dish water, do this at least 200 feet from the nearest water supply. This is considered best practice even when using biodegradable products.

Be responsible with fires

My next tip is to simply be responsible with building fires. I think we have all seen the devastating effects of forest fires. During the time I have lived in Colorado I have seen this on numerous occasions.  Furthermore nearly 90% of the wildfires in the United States are cause by people. And most of this is the result of campfires being left unattended, discarded cigarettes, and intentionally burning debris. 

Please pay attention to fire bans. Those rules are in place for a reason. If you are allowed to have a fire, then use an established fire pit. If you are in the backcountry, try to use a fire pit that someone has already established. Or if you have a portable stove, use that instead.  

Stay on established trails and use established campsites

I know it is tempting to go off the trail to find a better view. But when everyone else has the same idea, it causes environmental damage. You have to understand the plants that have adapted to high altitude have a very short growing season and take years to recover from the damage caused by foot prints. Not to mention if you damage the soil it is far more prone to erosion. 

This also applies to the desert environment. The cryptobiotic soil in the dessert can take as long as 250 years to recover once it is damaged.  So please be respectful. 

Respect wildlife

If you are going to travel in the backcountry and especially if you are in an established camping area you have to respect the wildlife. This means keeping food in a secure place so as not to attract bears. 

Give wildlife plenty of space. This is especially true if you encounter a bear or a moose. Deer and elk are also prone to attack depending on the timing of their mating cycle. 

Animals often respond to a threat in the only way they know how which is to attack. The most frequent cause of animal attacks are human provocation. So be respectful. The biggest percentage of the time they are just as afraid of you as you are of them. If you get attacked it is that animal that will most likely get hunted down and killed. But all of this can be avoided by simply being respectful.  

Because of where and how I live, I encounter a wide range of wildlife on a regular basis. Some of these animals are large predators such as bears and mountain lions. There has only been one time in 26 years that I’ve had a problem. I can assure you there are few things more unnerving that getting stalked by a mountain lion or having a stare down with a 1,500 hundred pound moose. You can avoid such encounters by being respectful. 

Use solar energy

With todays technology it is even possible to enjoy electrical appliances in the backcountry. There are now a whole range of portable solar chargers that can add a little comfort to your trip. For me I know it is nice to keep my cell phone charged especially for taking photos and using the GPS app. 

But I almost always have a head lamp or two with me because they are extremely useful. I just take rechargeable batteries and plug them into a small fold out solar panel. Beyond that  even if you are staying in a campground with electricity, you can lower your impact by going solar.  

Summary

The bottom line for this episode is that there are so many benefits for getting outside and enjoying the natural world. It gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, learn more about the natural world, and learn about environmental conservation. Not to mention the proven health benefits of spending time outside and away from all the noise of our modern culture. 

But if you want to take advantage of this, as you should, there are ways to do this that not only saves you money but saves the planet as well. 

If you need gear then purchase that from a business that focuses on sustainable practices. I have links in the resources section of the transcript that will point you in the right direction. 

But once you decide to head out into the great outdoors, think about avoiding destinations that get over used, consider going in the off season, thinking about avoiding excess travel and go local instead. Think about the principles of zero waste. Pack out your garbage, use non-toxic products, be responsible with fires, avoid environmental damage by staying on established trails, consider going solar and be sure to respect the wildlife. 

And don’t forget to take advantage of the links I have in the resources section of this episode. It will provide you will numerous other article and companies where you can purchase some good quality gear. 

In closing for the episode, as always you have to keep in mind that everything we do has some sort of impact on other people and the environment. Always think in terms of ‘leave only footprints’ and especially so when it comes to spending time in the outdoors. What if we all made the decision to live more sustainably and what if we all went through our entire lives and adhered to the principle of “leave only footprints”. 

Then by default, you would have adhered to the principles of using only what you need, reducing your waste, giving up plastics, respecting other cultures, extending a simple act of kindness, and being mindful of the fact that every single thing you do has an impact. Then take those principles and find one other person and teach them to do the same.

Despite everything going on in our crazy world right now, our future on this planet has not yet been decided. You can have a part in changing that future by living more sustainably and teaching others to do the same. 

This is your host Patrick signing off until next week. Always remember to live sustainably because this is how we build a better future. 

Resources

Fjallraven

Patagonia

TenTree

Icebreaker

Sustainable Camping Gear Essentials

Nine Easy Ways to Make Your Camping More Eco-Friendly

Eco-Friendly Camping

How to Have a More Eco-Friendly Camping Trip