The Transition: AR News & Updates

Leave No Trace has long been a common philosophy and practice in the outdoor recreational world, and USARA firmly subscribes to this ethos. LNT has promoted their seven core principles since 1999, and countless organizations abide by them, including the US National Park Service, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. Adventure Racers are not only athletes; we are also explorers and stewards of the land, and USARA urges all racers to abide by LNT’s core principles themselves while requiring sanctioned race directors to incorporate them into their event planning and management. USARA believes that we must all do our part to respect this important outdoor recreational philosophy if we want public lands to remain open to our events and community. Thank you for joining us in abiding by these core tenants of responsible outdoor recreation.

Leave No Trace’s 7 Core Principles include the following. Read more about these principles on LNT’s website.

Plan Ahead and Prepare
Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
Dispose of Waste Properly
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impact
Respect Wildlife
Be Considerate of Others

While LNT’s core principles were not developed with adventure racers specifically in mind, we can adhere to these principles in several ways including but not limited to the following:

Be prepared and have a plan to manage your trash as you travel through the course. Secure trash while out on a stage and properly dispose of it in transition areas. Be prepared to carry trash for the duration of the event as not all TAs are suitable for trash collection.
If camping or sleeping, select an appropriate location to do so.
When traveling off trail, disperse rather than walking in a line to minimize foot travel and impact on vegetation.
If traveling on established trails, avoid using unofficial or purposely closed trails to cut corners or switchbacks.
If RDs, in conjunction with land managers, have deemed areas to be environmentally sensitive for travel, respect these restrictions, even if there is temptation to pass through such areas.
Human waste should be properly buried, and any sanitary products should be packed out. If WAG bags are required, do not skip using them simply because it is easier. Consider location and find a suitable area away from activity (public area, transition areas, etc.), water sources, etc.
Do not collect any natural materials, especially if sensitive or protected. Avoid unnecessary damage to plant life, trails, and historic resources.
Follow RD and land manager restrictions regarding fire. If permitted to build a fire, build a proper fire ring and choose an appropriate setting. Tend to your fire and make sure it is fully extinguished and properly dispersed before carrying on.
Be respectful of wildlife and give it proper space if directly encountering animals during the event.
You are likely to be sharing the trails, roads, and waterways with other outdoor enthusiasts not to mention cars, pedestrians, private property owners, and other individuals. Be respectful and stop “racing” if necessary. Give way to other users to help preserve your RD’s relationship with the local community.
Be respectful of other racers when encountering teams in potentially dangerous pinch points; when mountain biking on narrow trails, traversing technical terrain, or navigating rapids, work together to safely pass and navigate the course.

Keep in mind that race directors work hard to permit events and often have nuanced agreements in place with managers, owners, and other stewards of the land. Our sport requires access to land and outdoor resources, and good stewardship and adherence to LNT’s core principles increases the chances that race directors will be invited back to direct more events. More importantly, thank you for serving as a LNT and USARA ambassador while protecting the natural world we all love to explore!