Wilderness Code of Ethics

Welcome to the Cirque of the Unclimbables. The Cirque has played host to an international group of adventurers for over 50 years. This remote, unspoiled wilderness remains one of the truly amazing places on earth. However, due to growing interest in the area as a destination for climbing and hiking, the Cirque and Fairy Meadows have experienced increasing human impacts. An ongoing effort to keep the Cirque clean of trash and human waste was started several years ago, and this year we will be increasing our efforts by installing a pit toilet in Fairy Meadows. Due to the nature of arctic weather, the breakdown of human waste is slow. Therefore, we ask that you use this facility.

All Cirque visitors are encouraged to act responsibly with special consideration to the following (concerns?):

• Proper Disposal of Refuse: “pack it in, pack it out”. All non-burnable garbage should be packed-out. Paper products should be burned in a contained area on bareground or packed-out.
• Proper Disposal of Human Waste:
  1. When at basecamp, use the pit toilet located in Fairy Meadows. Please avoid throwing your toilet paper or trash in the toilet. Toilet paper should be bagged-out or burned in a contained area on bareground.
  2. When away from basecamp, waste should be buried more than 50 meters away from a water source or smeared on a rock. Climbers should contain their waste on routes. Waste may then be disposed ...
• Proper Wash/Waste Water Disposal: recognizing the seasonal nature of some surface water runoff, please perform washing and disposal of gray water at least 50 meters away from any water source.
• Treat All Drinking Water: there is potential for water contamination due the presence of mammals such as arctic ground squirrels, mountain goats and other humans in the Cirque. Therefore, we suggest filtering, boiling, or treating all drinking water.

The steps mentioned above will help us keep the waters of the Cirque clean and free of unnecessary contaminates.

• Tread Lightly: when hiking in the vegetated valleys of the Cirque, please make an effort to stay on main trails. The trail going up to the Cirque is marked with rock cairns (piles) and the main trails entering/exiting Fairy Meadows basecamp are obvious. Staying on these trails will help preserve the fragile arctic plant communities.
• Proper Bear Safety: grizzly bears (Ursus horribilis) are present at lower elevations, while nearly nonexistent above treeline. Please take the following precautionary measures when camping below treeline:
  1. Secure all food on a “bear line” at least six meters off the ground and at least 50 meters from your campsite.
  2. Avoid leaving food materials uncontained and make sure your campsite is free of cooking utensils.
  3. Let bears know where you are when hiking through thick forest by frequently making noise (i.e. avoid being silent when hiking below treeline).
• Proper Use of Satellite Phone: Kluane Airways has generously provided a satellite phone for emergency use during the summer season. Please, only use this phone in the event of a life threatening injury. Instructions for phone use are contained within the phone box. Please read all instructions carefully before using. Note: this phone is only present when at least one of Warren’s parties are in the Cirque.

This project has been made possible by the volunteer efforts of the Cirque 2000 Committee, the American Alpine Club, the Alpine Club of Canada, and the Inconnu Lodge/ Kluane Airways. For further information, please contact the Alpine Club of Canada or the American Alpine Club.