Green Mountain Club

Maintaining & Protecting Vermont's Long Trail Since 1910

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Microtrash Pocket

August 10, 2017 by GMC Staff 2 Comments

This post was written by Lorne Currier, GMC’s Group Outreach Specialist.

Waterfalls, scenic vistas, alpine flowers and terrifyingly steep trails just barely scratch the surface when talking about the pleasures of hiking. But what about the pleasures of candy wrappers, apple cores, and plastic bottles? Upon seeing this unsightly rubbish I dash to it, excitement coursing through my veins as I open the Velcro hip-pocket on my hiking shorts.

I had no idea when I first found these shorts in a free box at a backcountry hut that they’d go on to become a traveling trash can, a repository for every bit of microtrash I can wrangle off our beloved trails. This quick-access trash pocket has become my one hiking go-to, the item I never leave home without. It’s there when you need it and not when you don’t. It’s ultra-light at the beginning of the hike, full of only air and empty of candy bar wrappers or plastic bottle caps. Hopefully, it’s ultra-light at the end as well, but I know if it needs to my pocket will always perform flawlessly.

The best part? Everyone who spends time on our trails can have a pocket just like mine. Whether it’s your backpack hip belt, the tongue of your hiking boot or the brim of your hat, I challenge you to fill that pocket with every piece of trail trash you find. Eventually, you won’t even have to break your stride.

How do you Leave No Trace on the trail?

Filed Under: Hiking

Comments

  1. gladys says

    August 10, 2017 at 9:27 am

    Yes, I carry a little plastic bag in an easy to reach pocket of my pack and collect these bits and pieces too. I have noticed some other hikers picking up lost bits too. I met one man with a whole grocery bag of beer cans he had picked up one day. Trail users have to think about the environment. Thanks for bringing this up.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 2020 Field Season Wrap Up - Green Mountain Club says:
    November 19, 2020 at 12:06 pm

    […] season possible. And finally, thank you to all the members of the hiking public who chipped in by picking up litter, helping us protect fragile alpine vegetation, and journeying with us through this unique season on […]

    Reply

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The Green Mountain Club is the founder and maintainer of the Long Trail - the oldest long distance hiking trail in America. Established in 1910 to build this trail stretching the length of Vermont, the club now also maintains the Appalachian Trail in Vermont and trails in the Northeast Kingdom in its mission to "make the Vermont mountains play a larger part in the life of the people." Read more...

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