Keeping Streams Clear

[Dee Bee]

I used to do a lot of backpacking...

The camp sites that were most popular were near a stream or a spring. Often I would find toilet paper and human waste scattered all around. How unpleasant. The water supplies were always consisdered unsafe when this was found.

I have always followed this simple rule of outdoor stewardship.
1) Use a trowel and dig a a shallow "cat" hole approx six - 12 " deep.
2) Deposit human waste in the hole along with any TP
3) Cover with soil, pile on rocks. (Animals like to uncover this stuff and scatter it around)
ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS stay at least 100 feet away from any water source or stream.

I think this would work for hunting, day hiking, or dry camping too.

DEE

[DestinDave]

THANK YOU!

[TomS]

Some people advocate packing out you your used T.P. as it does not decompose as quickly as the solid human waste. As for me, the idea of putting it in my pack grosses me out so I just bury it.

There is a comprehensive book covering all aspects of back country santitation. The title is "How to $hit in the woods" (This is a real book - I'm not making this up). I forget the author's name. But a quick search on Amazon should turn it up. IMHO - it's a must-read for anyone who cares about the enviornment and spends time out doors.

[JunkMan]

Many river areas are now requiring "boom boxes" (portable toilets) for rafters, kayakers, canoeists, etc. You will not be given a permit to run the river if you don't have the proper equipment. I'm sure that the major reason for this is the large number of people that don't follow basic outdoor sanitation rules.

[shil]

There is a comprehensive book covering all aspects of back country santitation. The title is "How to $hit in the woods" (This is a real book - I'm not making this up). I forget the author's name. But a quick search on Amazon should turn it up. IMHO - it's a must-read for anyone who cares about the enviornment and spends time out doors.

I picked up a copy from Amazon a couple of years ago, I figured that it would have all sorts of newbie camping info. Nope. An entire book on shitting in the woods. At least everything that anyone will ever need to know regarding this topic is documented in one place.

[gregp136]

Just a reminder, we all need to be good stewards of our Wilderness. A thread as relevant now as when it first appeared here in 2005.

Greg(and Laurie)