This is a big piece of plastic which goes under the tent and keeps the tent dry and clean from the ground beneath it. Once you have the tent set up ontop of the ground cloth, tuck the edges of the cloth that stick out underneath the tent. This will help in keeping everything dry, otherwise they can act as little water gutters and direct the rain right under your tent. Low-Impact Hiking Taking care of the backcountry is a responsibility, not an option. Leave the trail cleaner than you found it - you can make a big difference for the next hiker by picking up someone elses trash Don't build a fire unless you really have to.
Fires scar the land.
Campsites and close proximities to rivers, streams etc. Run-off from soap, or worse yet, contamination from human wastes can cause a wide range of problems. Keep the noise level down - it keeps the hike enjoyable for others and increases your chance of viewing wildlife. For your safety and the health of oftentimes very fragile vegetation. Learn how to dispose of human waste properly - besides being an offending site for someone else, there are some real health hazards that can crop up.