Ways to be a Good Mountain Tourist

1. Avoid bringing too much of your own food on your trip, try to support the local businesses and family restaurants by eating your meals and enjoying the local cuisine with them
2. Pay attention to signage posted on trails, if signage is minimal, perhaps suggest to the tour operator that they post more near sensitive areas – Education and awareness about the area’s environment will help put into place good environmental practices that will allow the local tourism businesses to continue well into the future.  These practices can minimize negative impacts, such as soil erosion, to the area.  
3. Try to stay in middle of trail to prevent more erosion
4. Avoid feeding wildlife! There are MANY reasons to do so. For example, it may cause them to lose self-sufficiency in their feeding patterns, and later cause them to become aggressive in attempts to get food.
5. Pack out trash and waste when possible, avoid bringing over-packaged goods and disposable items. For human waste, bury waste at least 15 cm deep and 100 m from water sources, if toilets are unavailable.
6. Wash clothes and shoes prior to trip. This helps prevent the introduction of exotic and invasive species that may disrupt and alter the local vegetation and animal life.
7. 12% of the world’s human population lives in the mountains. Learn a few words in their language either before or while you’re there to experience their culture more fully and have the chance to interact meaningfully with the locals.
   • Remember, resources in these regions can be scarce, so be careful how much you use in order to avoid increasing competition and hostility towards other visitors
8. If you’re anywhere near a mountain, chances are the altitude is going to change rapidly. Try and spend a few weeks training if you will be doing anything physically demanding. Also, make sure to acclimatize properly.  If you fly or drive to a high altitude, take it easy the first day. Ideally, begin start the hike up below 3048m. AND HYDRATE!
   • Princeton University’s Outdoor Action Guide to High Altitude defines altitude by the following measurements: High (8,000 – 12,000 feet [2,438 - 3,658 meters]), Very High (12,000 – 18,000 feet [3,658 - 5,487 meters]), and Extremely High (18,000+ feet [5,500+ meters])
9. Climb High and Sleep Low. Great piece of advice, always best to camp at a lower altitude if possible, to prevent altitude illness and poor decision-making.
10. Camp at least 98ft from water bodies and 328ft from cave entrances.
11. Use local, non-motorized means of transportation, such as horses, bikes, pedicabs, whenever possible. This will help mitigate the amount of emissions contributing to climate change. This is especially important in areas where you may be partaking in snow-dependent activities. If these aren’t available, try to carpool or take a shuttle.
12. Contribute to local conservation efforts in the areas you’re visiting.

- Tania Segura