This is a fun and informative quiz to teach wilderness and outdoor ethics, or - for the notice camper - as a refresher to fine tune your environmental stewardship!
QUESTIONS (True or False)- Low-impact camping standards suggest that cans and other metal containers be burned and then buried.
- The maximum size of a party in wilderness areas should be ten to twelve persons.
- It's always a good idea to build a circle of stones to contain your cooking fire.
- A cat-hole latrine should be dug in dry, sandy or gravel soil, at least 15 metres from water, camp, or trails.
- Fish entrails should be tossed back into the lake or stream as food for the other fish.
- Since backcountry is so wide and spacious, loud games, campfire programs, and vigorous activities are unlikely to disturb others.
- If trails are muddy, it is acceptable to leave the established trail as long as you parallel it closely.
- Wilderness hiking is a good opportunity to collect specimens of flowers, plants, and rock samples.
- When breaking camp, always leave a pile of wood for the next camper.
- "Take nothing but pictures" is a good motto for low impact wilderness travelers.
- It is a good idea to repackage food and other items in lightweight, burnable or packout containers.
- When horses or pack animals are met on the trail, hikers should step off the lower side of the trail, stand still, and talk quietly or not at all while the riders and animals pass.
- Each wilderness area may have specific rules of its use, and permits are sometimes required for entry.
- Most typical Scout troops will need specialized training before qualifying for a wilderness or backcountry camping experience.
- When following a trail with switch-backs, it is acceptable to cut across the switchbacks when going downhill.
- While hiking, it is approved practice to scatter your orange and banana peels, or apple cores as you walk.
- Always use biodegradable soap for dishwashing and personal use. Spread your waste water at least 35 metres feet away from water sources.
- It is acceptable to feed birds and animals that are friendly in the wild.
- If you choose a route without trails, do not blaze trees, build cairns, paint on rocks, or leave messages in the dirt.
- It is better to make camp in a large meadow, rather than in the forest.
- 1. False. If fires are permitted, burn flattened cans to remove food scraps, but always pack them out.
- 2. Generally true. In some wilderness areas the maximum size of a party is limited to as few as six persons. A small group will allow cross-country trails to recover, reduce trampling in the campsite areas, produce minimum impact on the land, and be less obvious to other campers and disruptive of wildlife.
- 3. False. Rocks are not needed to contain a fire if the ground has been suitably prepared. Smoke-stained rocks are unsightly.
- 4. False. Latrines should be dug 10-14 cm deep in biologically active soil at least 65 metres from water, camp or trails. Biologically active soil will assure the speedy decomposition of human waste.
- 5. False. Fish entrails should be buried in the latrine or burned in the fire. If returned to the lake or stream, they are more likely to foul the water than to serve as food for other fish.
- 6. False. The key to backcountry enjoyment is to draw as little attention as possible to your group. Loud and vigorous activity can disturb other campers, may do considerable damage to the environment, and can disrupt wildlife.
- 7. False. Wait until muddy trails dry out. If this isn't possible, walk through the mud. Never try to establish a new trail. This can lead to a network of trails which will damage the environment.
- 8. False. Leave all flowers, plants, rock samples, and other natural features for the enjoyment of others. If you pick flowers, seeds will not form and the plants will not reproduce themselves. Instead, practice sketching the plant or take notes.
- 9. Generally False. "Leave no trace" in a wilderness site. Scatter your collected wood as naturally as possible. In an established site, it's a courtesy to leave a supply of wood for the next campers. In many provincial parks it's against the law to gather fallen wood. Check the rules first.
- 10. True. Pictures and memories are the best souvenirs of a wilderness experience. Leave the wilderness in place for others to enjoy.
- 11. True. Repackaging food can save weight, space and the need for packing out bulky containers.
- 12. True. If hikers move to the lower part of the trail, horses are less likely to spook. This is particularly important if horses are tied together in pack trains. If one animal is spooked over the edge of the trail, it might drag others with it.
- 13. True. Rules may vary from one wilderness area to the next. Permits are often required to (a) make sure campers understand the rules; and (b) limit the number of persons in the area to reasonable sizes. Be sure to check on rules and permits well in advance of your trip. This precaution will avoid the disappointment of being turned away at your trailhead.
- 14. True. Many Scouting camp activities are not appropriate for wilderness or backpack camping. Troops often need special training. Traditional vigorous camp activities are more suited for established Scouting or provincial camps.
- 15. False. Cutting across a switchback will compact the soil, destroy vegetation and establish a water run-off which will cause more erosion. Always stay on the trail, whether going up or down hill.
- 16. False. Compost materials should not be scattered along the trail. It will only attract insects and animals. Compost should either be buried 10-14 cm deep in biologically active soil at least 65 metres from water, camp or trails, or packed out.
- 17. True. Never wash dishes (or yourself) in natural bodies of water. Scattering your waste water 35 metres from water sources will allow it to disburse through the soil before reaching the water table.
- 18. False. Feeding wild animals can not only alter their feeding habits and migration patterns, but also attract wild animals to a site. "Garbage" feeders often become a menace to humans and either have to be shot or captured and moved away. Avoid any wild animal that approaches; overly tame animals might have rabies.
- 19. True. Other backcountry travelers may become confused by unanticipated markers. Signs of prior travel reduce the wilderness experience for future travelers. Besides, graffiti is against the law. Blazed trees can develop infection.
- 20. False. Camping produces more ecological impact in a forest meadow, than in a forest.
This quiz was taken from the Government of British Columbia's website.
For more information on low impact camping, check out these websites:
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