What To Do With an Old Igloo?

Ah, snow caves and igloos: Bringers of warmth and shelter amidst Winter’s deepest cold. Symbols of welcome and hospitality — perhaps never more so when they’re spared for the next weary winter camper who comes along.

So why do we have to drag them into the Leave No Trace debate?

There’s an interesting discussion over at NWHikers about whether or not snow shelters should be destroyed when it’s time to break camp. As with leaving firewood, isn’t leaving an igloo intact, considered an act of goodwill? And doesn’t it melt eventually, anyhow? Actually, the argued ‘whens’ and ‘whys’ make a bit of sense; it’s worth a read.

What do you think? Should snow shelters be left behind in the BW?

Via SnowCampers WinterCampers.
[Photo: Flickr user Paul Jerry]