Human Waste Management in the Wilderness

Ok, not the most popular subject in the world and hardly an easy one to write about but, as a popular book proclaims, everybody
does it. Most of us can thank civil engineering for sewers and waste treatment plants that allow us to "fire and forget" when it
comes to our own waste, but we're rarely so blessed when out in the wilderness. Aside from personal inconvenience, there are a
number of environmental issues and courtesy concerns involving our poop that, while less than savory subject matter, very much
do warrant discussion.

In the heady (couldn't help the pun, sorry) early days of big wall climbing, a team might find themselves spending a couple days
camping out on the side of a 1000 + foot cliff. While these climbers might have had many concerns about anchors, warmth, food
and water, their waste was rarely given much thought. One simply hung one's bottom over the side of the portaledge and released.
Gravity doing what it does, the product of this activity would generally descend along the line of the climber's ascent, often finding
its way into the very same cracks and crevices that those climbers were inserting their hands into early that day. While such
activity isn't much of a concern for the party that has already passed those holds, imagine the decidedly unpleasant experience of
following them up on any subsequent days.

As climbing popularity increased, environmental consciousness and simple courtesy dictated that something be done. Today,
many climbers planning on spending any significant amount of time on a wall or mountain will plan ahead to pack out what they
had, in the past, left behind. Garbage bags or "Poop Tubes" (PVC tubing sealed at one end and with a removable cap for the other
end) have largely diminished the disgusting habit of "marking the route."

Disposal of human waste isn't just a climbing concern, though. Anybody spending time in the outdoors is likely to find themselves
faced with the need to relieve. Unfortunately, most give very little thought to the act and simply hang their bottoms over a secluded
log and take care of business. Remember that you are sharing the privilege of enjoying these wilderness environments and others
won't appreciate the smell or sight of your contribution. So here are a few good general rules to follow.

Leave no trace
Whenever possible, pack out solid waste in garbage bags, home made disposal systems or commercially available systems.
Remember that some terrain simply doesn't lend itself to natural feces decomposition. Glacial regions don't play good hosts to the
bacteria that are necessary to decompose human waste. Carrying out what you'd rather leave behind, while unpleasant and
inconvenient, is the absolute best way to minimize environmental impact though admittedly not always a viable option.

Cathole
Chose a location at least 200 feet from any water source, campground or trail. Dig a cat hole 6 to 8 inches deep. After depositing
waste, add some loose soil and stir with a stick to aid in decomposition. Finish burial and cover the spot with natural materials
(leaves and sticks) to return the spot to a natural appearance.

Urine
Avoid urinating on or by plants. The salt in urine can attract animals that might damage the plants. When possible, pee on rocks,
pine needles or gravel.

Remember that, while all the critters of the forest may do their business in the woods, these animals are a part of the environment in
which they live. They are in balance with their wilderness homes. Consider that in 2003, Yosemite played host to about 1.3 million
visitors. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park accommodated nearly 9 million visitors. While the bears are doing their
business without concern, their deposits contribute to the environment. 9 million of us happily doing our business without the
benefit of park sponsored waste disposal or conscientiously managing our own poop would leave our national parks decidedly less
popular than they are today.

One final point; many don't care. There are a lot of people in the wild doing their business without concern for you or the
environment. Add to this the deposits left by animals and you might rethink describing your trip as a jaunt in the "unspoiled
wilderness." Get in the habit of washing your hands often, particularly before handling and preparing meals. It wouldn't hurt to pack
along a bottle of hand sanitizer, either.