At Sea to Summit we have partnered with Leave No Trace since 2007 and practice the principles laid out in what we do.

This is especially important when cooking outdoors - so if you are trying out one of our recipes - then consider these points.

Here are our top tips for leaving no trace when cooking outdoors:

Plan ahead and prepare

Planning and preparation are key to any good trip in nature and good planning and prep allow you to ensure that you have everything you need and nothing you don't.

This is especially important if you are cooking outdoors - make sure you have all of your gear, ingredients and fuel and have something to takeaway any rubbish or food waste.

It is also a good idea to pack smartly, remove any excess packaging from your food and pack in reusable containers.

Be considerate of others

Nature is for everyone - so be considerate of others when cooking out in nature. Even if you are in a really remote spot - you never know who else might be around.

Respect farm animals and wildlife

When cooking outdoors it is important to be aware of any animals which may be near by. 

Wild or farm animals are attracted by the smell of food - but it is important to not feed them anything. While your Shakshouka may be delicious human food can be harmful to animals and encourage them to seek out humans for food.

Also be careful with fire and stoves around animals.

Travel and camp on durable ground

Choose your campsite and cooking spots carefully and consider your route to get their too.

Where possible keep to established tracks and camping areas and leave areas as you find them - if not in a better condition. 

Leave what you find

If you have packed and prepared properly you shouldn't need to take anything from nature.

Also make a conscious effort to leave things how you find them - especially if you have moved rocks or logs around to make your camp.

Dispose of waste properly

If you pack it out then make sure you pack it back in again! This simple rule will help you leave no trace when cooking outdoors.

That includes all food waste - even things like banana peels or apple cores - whilst these are natural, they can take a long time to biodegrade and can cause issues to animals and the natural environment.

Minimise the effects of fire

Whilst the UK may be wet most of the time - there is still a risk of wildfires - there have been some dramatic fires in the UK caused by campfires and disposable BBQs. 

Campfires can cause lasting damage - so it is a good idea to use a lightweight stove which keeps the fire off the ground.

If you are using a fire - make sure you are in an area where they are permitted and use fire rings to keep the fire contained.