Leave No Trace and the Trash Pack: The Last Piece of Gear Every Hiker Should Carry

Introduction

In 2024, a single month of trash collected from the Xue Mountain main peak hut amounted to 80 kg, including food scraps, toilet paper, and plastic packaging. These weren’t left by someone else—they were left by hikers themselves. “Leave No Trace” (LNT) is not just a slogan; it is the minimum ethical standard for hikers. This article compiles practical methods and essential gear.

The Seven LNT Principles

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

This article focuses on Principle 3: waste disposal.

What to Carry in Your Trash Kit

Basic gear:

• One large trash bag (30L): for all trip waste
• Several small resealable bags: for sorting
• A wastewater scoop (for filtering food scraps)
• A sealed bag for toilet paper
• A bag for used batteries

Total weight: 100–200g

Handling Food Scraps

Regulations in Taiwan’s mountain areas (including national parks) require that all food scraps be carried back down:

Food Scraps	Natural Decomposition Time	Disposal Method
Apple cores, orange peels	6–12 months	Must be carried out
Noodle soup, broth	Contaminates water sources	Strain and scatter
Bread crumbs, cookie crumbs	Several months	Carry out
Tea leaves, coffee grounds	Several months	Carry out

Dishwater handling:

• After straining solid scraps, scatter the water at least 60m away from water sources
• In snowy conditions, dig a snow pit to bury it
• Bag the scraps and carry them out

Handling Toilet Paper

Toilet paper takes 1–3 years to decompose. The principles:

• Never bury it (wind will expose it)
• Never burn it (fire risk)
• Must carry it out (seal in a bag, dispose of after descending)

Tip: Tear each sheet to the size you need before use, then fold and seal it in a resealable bag after use. A week-long traverse produces about 50g of used toilet paper.

Human Waste Disposal

Urination: Choose a spot at least 60m away from water sources. Digging is not required, but avoid doing it on the trail.

Defecation:

• On most of Taiwan’s hundred peaks, you must dig a cat hole: 15–20 cm deep
• After finishing, refill with soil and cover
• Toilet paper cannot be buried and must be carried out
• Decomposition is slow at high altitudes, so using a WAG bag (disposable waste bag) and carrying it out is recommended

Xue Mountain and Jade Mountain have public toilets—use them whenever possible. However, do not toss toilet paper into the pit toilets, as some mountain hut toilets are not flushable.

Camping Without Leaving a Trace

• Choose existing campsites; do not create new ones
• Do not dig drainage ditches (this damages vegetation)
• Do not damage tree bark or carve into surfaces
• Restore the site to its original state before leaving

Fire Management

Many national parks in Taiwan prohibit open fires. When using a stove:

• Avoid placing the stove directly on grass (it can scorch the ground)
• Use a heat-resistant ground pad
• Make sure the stove is completely cool before packing it away

Principles for Interacting with Wildlife

• Do not feed animals (it alters their behavior)
• Store food in sealed containers (to avoid rodents and crows)
• Do not leave food outside your tent
• If you see a Formosan black bear: stand still, avoid eye contact, and back away slowly

Trail Etiquette Among Hikers

• After 21:00 in mountain huts, keep voices low
• Right of way: loaded hikers > ascending hikers > descending hikers
• Do not play music aloud; when waiting to take photos, do not disturb others

Practical Recommendations

Recommended kit:

• Sea to Summit Trash Dry Sack 10L (85g, NT$350)
• 5 resealable bags (including one for used batteries)
• 2–3 WAG bags (NT$350 each)
• Wastewater scoop (50g)

Conclusion

The last item on a hiking gear list should not be a “camera” or “luxury item,” but a “trash kit.” Every bag of trash you carry down is a gift to the next hiker. Nenggao Andongjun, Nandan Section, and Qilai are so beautiful—please help keep them that way.

Related Reading

• Environmental Protection for Trail Running: Practicing Leave No Trace Principles on Taiwan’s Mountain Trails
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• Bike Touring Gear List: The Packing Philosophy for a Week of Bikepacking Luggage