Leave Only Footprints

Here at Hi-Tec the big outdoors is our office. It goes without saying that we’re passionate about preserving our greatest asset and slowing the impact of climate change. Read on for some nifty hiking hacks that’ll ensure that your next adventure is as good for the planet as it is for your soul.

 

Put trash in its place

You don’t need us to tell you that littering is never cool – especially not in the great outdoors. When you’re out hiking, go on a quick litter patrol at the end of every snack break – it doesn’t take much of a breeze to scatter chip packets and chocolate wrappers across the veld. If you’re a smoker, be especially careful to totally extinguish your “stompies”. And be sure to carry them home with (contrary to popular belief cigarette butts are not biodegradable). On multi-day hikes remember to pack some heavy-duty refuse bags to make hiking with all your rubbish a more pleasant experience!

Say no to single-use bottles

As a hiker you know how important it is to carry a tough and durable water bottle. But what about when you’re in the urban jungle? At Hi-Tec, we’d like to encourage you to carry a water bottle every time you leave the house. Taking a water bottle with you to work and when you run errands will save you having to buy a drink every time you get thirsty – in the process saving both your pocket and the planet!

Don’t take shortcuts

Whether you’re slogging up Platteklip Gorge or sprinting down from the Chain Ladders, it can be tempting to cut corners on the trail. Please don’t. Not only will you be putting your own safety at risk (you’re much more likely to roll an ankle on a crumbling shortcut than you are on a well-maintained main trail) but you’re likely to cause soil erosion and to damage plants and animals. The official paths are there for your benefit – use them.

Scrub up nicely

In South Africa we are blessed with some extremely pristine mountain streams, and we owe it to each other to keep them that way. Commercial soaps and detergents pose one of the biggest threats to the many plants, fish and other critters which call our freshwater ecosystems home. Luckily, biodegradable dishwashing detergents, soaps and shampoos are cheap and easy to come by these days. I’m a recent convert to bar shampoos. Not only are they better for the planet, but they also won’t explode in your backpack and you’re allowed to fly with them in carry-on luggage.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Recycling should feature at home, in the office and out in the bosveld. Washing your cans, wrappers and bottles on a multi-day hike is a no brainer as it makes lugging the rubbish around a far more pleasant experience. And if you want to take things to the next level, why not get yourself one of our cosy, durable and stylish Hi-Tec Sorne Puffer Jackets which is filled with 100% Repreve® recycled polyester.

There is no Planet B

We hope these quick and easy hacks have inspired you to continue to enjoy the great outdoors responsibly. And if you’ve got any great eco hacks you think we should know about, please drop us a line on social media. We’d love to share them with our community.

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