The BMC have released a new set of codes and a video as part of their Respect the Rock campaign called Respect the Wild. As restrictions ease and our desire for outdoor travel and adventure reaches its peak, human impact on sensitive outdoor spaces must be minimised. Here's how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly and respectfully.
Read the BMC's article and guidelines in full here.
The BMC's Wild Camping code
Be inconspicuous. Choose your location wisely: only use remote locations, well above the highest wall line and out of sight of civilisation. Stay for one night only. Pitch camp late and leave early, and don't leave tents up during the day.
Don't use camp fires or BBQs. They are highly destructive in sensitive mountain landscapes. Use a camping stove instead. During high fire risk periods, don't use any open flame.
Need the toilet? Removing all human waste using a packable toilet kit is the best solution. Away from popular spots, as a last resort, bury solid waste 15cm deep, replacing the earth afterwards. Pack out your toilet paper and sanitary products in a zip-lock bag. Wash up and toilet a minimum of 50m from any water sources.
Choose durable ground. Pitch your tent on well drained ground that won't be easily damaged or leave traces of your visit.
Leave no trace. If you take it in, take it out. Try to remove any litter you find too. Pack out all food waste - it takes much longer than you think to decompose. Replace any rocks you've moved.
Use lights on their lowest setting around camp. Light and noise is very noticeable at night and can disturb wildlife and people.
Keep group sizes small. Large groups can have a huge impact.
Use campsites in the valleys. If you want to camp in the valley floor, always use a formal campsite with facilities to minimise your impact and help the local economy.
Code for wild van camping
Use campsites whenever available. This is the best way to minimise your impact on the environment (and you'll probably have a more relaxed night's sleep). Where this isn't possible, stay low profile by avoiding residential areas, honeypot overnight spots and other vans. Some pubs allow overnight parking for customers, but check first.
Look out for signs. If there are signs asking for no overnight parking, respect them and go elsewhere.
Arrive late and leave early. Don't stay in one spot for more than a single night.
Consider your waste. Leaving your poo outside is no longer acceptable when van camping. Either have toilet facilities on board, use public toilets or use a packable toilet kit. Dispose of toilet and grey water waste properly. Never dump it in the countryside - it can damage the environment, is unsanitary, smelly and a real eyesore.
Don't use campfires and BBQs. These draw attention and can be highly destructive, so don't use them away from campsites which allow them.
Be self-contained. Don't sprawl with awnings or other equipment: keep everything in your vehicle.
Leave no trace. Take everything away with you and do your bit to remove existing litter wherever possible.
Park considerately. Parking areas are often limited, so don't take up multiple spaces.
How to poo like a pro
Go before you go. The best option is not needing the toilet at all. It's not always possible but use the toilet before you head out.
Find a proper toilet. If you're caught short, local hospitality (after buying something) or public toilets are the next best option.
Pack out your waste. If you can't find a toilet, removing everything from the environment and disposing of it responsibly is best. This is easy with a commercially available toilet kit/wag bag, or make your own using sturdy zip lock bags, cat litter (optional), toilet paper and alcohol gel.
Last resort? Bury it. With no other option and only away from popular spots, burying your poo is the last resort. Dig a hole 15cm deep and replace the earth after. Remove toilet paper and sanitary products in a sturdy zip lock bag – paper dug up by animals is never a good look. Remember that in many hotspots such as crags, summits and popular overnight or picnic spots, burying poo is not a good option. Do your bit and pack it out instead.
Read the BMC's general Respect the Rock code here.
Comments
"Code for wild van camping
Use campsites whenever available."
In other news:
Code for wild swimming, use swimming pools whenever possible.
Code for foraging, use supermarkets whenever possible.
"remember, light and sound travel alot further at night"
Someone should tell physics...
Preaching to the choir here.... This would be a good article on The Daily Mail or The Sun etc!
Whilst I'd love to agree, the following thread - coupled with my own experiences - suggest that whilst climbers are by no means the worst, they could also do a lot better.
https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/rock_talk/a_plea_if_you_need_to_poo_or_pee-733329
Last year I spent a lot of time visiting Horseshoe, doing a butterfly transect which meant I was there week in, week out. I was both amazed and appalled by the amount of disrespect I saw for the site: lots of tents, lots of fire pits, lots of rubbish and lots and lots of poo. It was the overt nature of each which amazed me, as there was no attempt at discretion of any kind. This went for tents, which were often left up all day, but the one which really got to me was where people were pooing. It's one thing shitting in the woods, but it's another shitting in the middle of a footpath, which is something I've come across on more than one occasion.
Given that Horseshoe is a site that is quite specifically used by climbers there's no one else to blame but ourselves, so a campaign such as this is hopefully a timely reminder of best practise.
Agreed.
That's the main issue, that the very people that need this message are those most unlikely to hear it.
As a full time ML, I am dreading this summer, as I used to work out of my van, and can make at least 4 nights without needing a commercial campsite. Now, with the expected influx vs. the uncertainty of what will be open, I doubt I will be able to get on anywhere even if I want to.
.....And when I am roadside, I will understandably be tarred (and feathered) along with everyone else I suspect :(
As if losing my livlihood hasn't been hard enough :( :(