Outdoor Ethics ... ´Leave No Trace´
 As backcountry users, an important goal for us is to respect and care for the environment that we enter and use. We must create as little impact as possible and in some cases leave the area in a more natural state than we found it. to better maintain the wilderness state of areas we travel in we adhere to the principles of the 'Leave No Trace' organization. Your assistance will be appreciated.
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is a corporate member
of Leave No Trace Canada.
LNT principles are:
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Plan Ahead and Prepare
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Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
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Dispose of Waste Properly
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Leave What You Find
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Minimize Campfire Impacts
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Respect Wildlife
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Be Considerate of Other Visitor
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is available to teach Trainer or Awareness workshops.
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL POLICY
The objective of this policy is to increase positive and decrease negative impacts that Yamnuska Mountain Adventures' operational practices have on the physical environment within our operational area.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT FIELD OPERATIONS
Yamnuska Mountain Adventures is committed to providing its operations in a manner that has minimal impact on the environment with the following special considerations:
Disturbing Wildlife
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Maintain a minimum distances of 30m for most wildlife, and 100m for bears.
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Respect trail closures and restrictions relating to wildlife movement
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Respect park rules and regulations, and do not approach, feed, or chase wildlife for any reason.
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Conduct wildlife viewing will be done from a safe distance.
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Encourage wildlife viewing through telephoto lenses and binoculars.
Vegetation Impact
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Stay on designated trails and use designated resting/stop areas.
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Soil Impact
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Ensure that all hiking is kept to designated trails and previously disturbed areas.
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Keep groups together to avoid trail braiding.
Water Impact
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Ensure hiking is kept to designated trails and that bridges or paths over water are used.
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Encouraged use of trailhead facilities to reduce the amount of human waste on the trail.
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Do not dispose of any human waste or gray water near any watercourses.
Pollution Impact
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Ensure that outhouse/washroom facilities are utilized whenever possible.
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Ensure that all garbage is packed out, and will actively collect garbage that is observed on the trail.
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Ensure that all soaps, if used, are biodegradable.
Yamnuska believes strongly in the philosophy, leave only footprints, take only pictures.
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Do not pick or disturb wildflowers, bushes or trees
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Encourage use of good footwear and gaiters so that hikers will not be going off-trail to avoid wet or muddy areas
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Ensure that any gray water is disposed of away from watercourses
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Select resting spots that have already been designated as such, or select barren/rocky areas
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OFFICE OPERATIONS
Yamnuska uses recycled paper for all office printing. Additionally, we have a recycling program that includes metals and plastics.
Yamnuska supports Wind Power. Our office computers and laptops are operated on Wind Power through the Pembina Institute. To learn more about this program, please visit: www.pembina.org.
TRAVELLER’S CODE OF CONDUCT
The following guidelines offer suggestions for low-impact and culturally sensitive travel:
Stay on the trail
Straying from the trail while hiking can cause erosion and other environmentally harmful impacts.
Respect the wildlife
Viewing animals from a safe distance is fine; approaching, touching, feeding, or cornering them is not acceptable.
Respect endangered species
Do not buy products that exploit wildlife, aid in habitat destruction, or come from endangered species.
Do not litter
Follow the principles of Leave No Trace. Dispose of litter properly.
Reduce waste
Avoid products with excess packaging; utilize hotel or hostel accommodation-recycling programs.
Protect local water systems
Use only biodegradable soaps
and shampoos while camping.
Respect historical and archaeological sites
Leave any
artefacts found in place including fossils and animal horns. These are serious federal offences in the national parks.
Respect local vegetation
Do not pick or remove wildflowers or other vegetation. It is illegal and takes a long time for alpine wildflowers to grow.
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