Outdoor Ethics

1. Basic Camping
(Camping Ethics)
Prepared by Muzafar Mohamad

2. Why we should have an ethic in
outdoor activities
Ethics in outdoor and extreme activities is required
for various purposes.
A. Humanity
1. Controlling the behaviour of those involved
2. Ensure the harmony of the relationship during the
activity
3. Enabling such activities can strengthen relationships
among participants
4. Helps develop communication skills and self -control
5. Ensure the smooth running of activities
6. Maintain personal safety during activities

3. Why we should have an ethic in
outdoor activities
B. Nature Sustainability
1. Ensure the cleanliness of the activity area
environment
2. Reduce the impact of damage through activities on
the environment
3. Extending the lifespan of ecosystems
4. Manage natural resources effectively
5. Encourage the development of nature naturally
6. Avoid constant disturbance to animal habitat

4. The damaging incident due to unethical actions
from human activities during recreation
1. Pollution of natural water resources led to the tragedy of the
death of Lubuk Yu. (2010)
2. Damage to the trail leading to accidents at Mount Nuang, Bukit
Tabur, Mount Korbu. (2018, 2020, 2019)
3. Destruction of moss forests on Irau and Berembun mountain
climbing trails. (2015)
4. Accidents while camping at several recreational sites.
5. Accidents, misguided incidents and tragedies during some
mountaineering expeditions.

5. Why Leave No Trace ?
Consider the combined effects of millions of outdoor
visitors.
One poorly located campsite or campfire may have little
significance, but thousands of such instances seriously
degrade natural resources and recreation experiences.

6. 1. Prevent avoidable resource and social impacts
2. Minimize unavoidable impacts
3. Preserve the quality of resources and recreation
experiences
The challenge

7. Vegetation Impacts
 Vegetation loss
 Spread of non-native
species
 Tree damage
Soil Impacts
 Loss of organic litter
 Soil compaction
 Soil erosion

8. Wildlife Impacts
 Disturbance of wildlife
 Altered behavior
 Reduced health &
reproduction
Water Resource Impacts
 Turbidity, sedimentation
 Soap & fecal wastes

9. Social Impacts
 Crowding
 Conflicts

11. 1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
 Poor camping & hiking skills that unnecessarily impact natural
resources or degrade the experiences of other visitors example:
 Soap in streams
 Expansion of campsites
 Campfire impacts
 Creation of new trails
 Too large group sizes (noisy ,crowding) Avoid use equipment
that might had increase resource impacts.
 Use backpacking stoves for cooking
 Bring a trowel to dig cat-holes
 Bring a piece of screen to strain dishwater
 Use a candle lantern instead of a campfire


12. 2. Travel and Camp on
Durable Surfaces
1. Stay on formal trails when possible, walk single file in the
center of the tread. Don’t create new trails.
2. Use only well-established campsites that are large
enough for your group or split the group and camp on
separate sites.
3. Focus activity in core use areas on the most durable
surfaces
a) Gravel / rock
b) Sand
c) Previously disturbed surface

13. 3. Dispose of Waste Properly
1. Pack it in, Pack it out
Inspect campsite for trash and spilled foods, including “micro-
garbage.”
Don’t burn trash or food.
2. Strain dishwater through a screen to remove food
particles. Pack these out, along with leftover food.
3. Deposit solid human waste in cat holes dug 6 to 8 inches
deep at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails.
Cover and disguise the hole when finished.

14. 4. Leave What
You Find
 Forbid activity souvenir
collection and artifact
theft (e.g., flowers, fossils,
historic or cultural
artifacts, deer antlers,
wild animals as pets).
 Leave natural and cultural
objects for others to see.

15. 5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
1. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and a candle lantern for
light.
2. Only build a campfire when permissible, in areas with an
adequate wood supply, and if an existing fire site is present.
3. Avoid multiplying and migration of campfire sites.
4. Keep fire small and burn for a short time to conserve fuel.
5. Use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
6. Burn all wood to ash, put fires out completely and scatter
“cleaned” ashes to keep fire pits small.

16. 6. Respect Wildlife
1. Enjoy wildlife at a distance.
2. You are too close if your presence or actions elicit a
response from wildlife.
3. Never feed animals or allow them to obtain human food or
trash.
4. Don’t teach wildlife to be beggars!
5. Animal that obtain human food become “problem animal”
that must be relocated or killed. Wildlife should not pay
with their lives due to our carelessness with food.
6. Storing rations and trash securely.

17. 7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
 Take breaks off-trail, don’t monopolize attraction sites and
popular camping areas. Camp away from trails and other
visitors.
 Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their
experience.
 Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.

18. End of Slides