Low Impact Kayak Touring

The wilderness environments in which we travel are very fragile and sensitive to our presence. Here at Northern Lights we feel it is important to take all steps possible to limit the impact we have on the environment and the wildlife habitats through which we journey.

Below are some guidelines we go by and encourage all outdoor adventurers to embrace. In general, we try to keep in mind that we are traveling in wildlife habitat. We try to move slowly, gently and quietly, respecting the wildlife that live there. Basically, we keep in mind we're in somebody else's home, and try to act accordingly.

Pack it in, pack it out
We do not count on the wilderness to supply us with the resources we need for our trip. What we need is brought in, and what we use is brought out. We may sample an edible plant or catch a non-threatened species of fish, but we keep in mind that our actions can have an impact on the environment.

Low impact traveling
While traveling, we try to leave as minimal a trace as possible. While hiking, we stay on the trails and avoid doing damage to the very sensitive ecosystem through which we are traveling. The old adage, "Take only photographs, leave only footprints" applies, provided the footprints are only on established trails!

Waste management
This is a key consideration in low impact kayak touring. Washing of dishes, personal hygiene and bathroom activities can all adversely affect the fragile environment. Whenever possible, washing and bathing is done with plain saltwater and no soap. When soap is used, it is a biodegradable soap, and only small amounts are used. Bathroom activities are another important consideration. For larger groups, we set up a single site for this, rather than all guests digging individual holes. We customize the site by building a comfortable toilet and enclosing the area for comfort and privacy.

Fires
We all like sitting around a campfire at the end of a great day of paddling, but care is taken when, where and how a campfire is made. We use only driftwood for fires. Living wood is never cut, and even dead and fallen wood (both important parts of the ecosystem) are left alone. The fires we make are small and are always located on the beach, below the high water line.

Food
It's everyone's responsibility to avoid attracting animals in search of food to our campsites. We don't want animals to think of campsites as easy sources of food, so care is taken to keep a clean site. Food is prepared a good distance away from the sleeping area, and we stress that no food is to be taken to individual tents. Food is stored in bear-proof containers, away from the sleeping area.

By adhering to these simple guidelines, we can travel more responsibly through pristine wilderness, helping ensure it will remain pristine for generations to come.

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