Environmental Impact and Adventure Sports

As adventure sport enthusiasts, odds are we all have an impact on the environment to one degree or another. Rock Climbing, my
sport of choice, for example, can result in any of the following - Erosion from frequent hikes to prime climbing destinations, damage
to trees from improperly rigging anchors without considering the tree's circulation, habitat disruption for nesting birds and other
animals, pollution (garbage left behind), aesthetic concerns (spoiling the view for other nature lovers who share the same
wilderness and don't particularly enjoy seeing chalk all over the cliffs). These are just some of the ways an activity I love can
negatively impact the environment.

Each of us has a responsibility to think beyond the activity we love and consider the long term impact of our presence in the
outdoors. Before your next outing - be it mountain biking, hiking, camping, whatever, take some time to stop and think about ways
in which you are adversely affecting the world you play in and produce a viable plan for minimizing your impact. Better yet, think of
ways to improve on what you might find. Many climbers, concerned about access restrictions to choice climbs, are tremendous
sticklers for the rules in hopes that they can continue to enjoy the wonderful experiences this sport affords them. It's a mindset we
could all benefit from but far too many ignore.

Some tips - The old saying about leaving only footprints and taking only memories certainly applies. From an active perspective,
always carry a trash bag in with you and prepare to carry out your garbage as well as at least one piece of garbage somebody else
left behind. Mountain Bikers should consider taking a non-adventure/competitive run through their favorite trails at a leisurely pace
and really examine the condition of the trail. Is it time to rotate in a new trail and allow this one to heal and recover? Climbers, limit
the amount of chalk you use on a route, particularly on desert routes and overhangs where rain may rarely (if ever) have a chance
of washing away the marks. Divers should make every effort to learn exceptional buoyancy control to keep from touching the fragile
reefs they enjoy so much and should always have a mesh bag on hand to collect any items of garbage (cans, plastic, etc) they may
find floating around. Even hang gliders have an obligation to minimize erosion and damage to plant life at their launching point. All
of us can surely find something to do to minimize our impact.

From a proactive perspective, plan cleanups with your sport community. Host environmental impact sessions to educate your
fellow enthusiasts. Participate in environmental impact studies and make yourself available for any clubs already actively involved
in preservation and recovery efforts.

Remember, every time one of us fails to respect the environments in which we play, we edge that much closer to access
restrictions that will prevent all of us from enjoying that location. Your proudest moment shouldn't be the day you finish first,
conquer your lifetime project or beat whatever record you've set for yourself. Your proudest moment should be the day you're
grabbing breakfast at a coffee shop near your chosen destination and you overhear a couple locals chatting, "You know, Mt.
Killemall used to be a real dump until those mountain bikers/climbers/hikers/whatever came along and cleaned it up. The kids and I
love walking around there now."