Poop
Okay, we know this isn’t the most pleasant thing to discuss! At the same time, pretty sure we can agree that it’s also not pleasant discovering another person’s waste, or even used toilet paper for that matter! And, did you realize the huge potential for human waste to impact water quality with harmful pathogens? So, for these simple reasons, we’d like to share a couple of easy steps we can take to keep our water clean, backcountry pristine and waste unseen! So, please take a few moments to peruse our tips below. Thanks!
Diggin’
Dig a small hole around 6” deep. Bury your waste in good, fertile organic soil, not rocks.
We recommend using a metal shovel. There are lightweight titanium shovels on the market that hold up better than their plastic counterparts, which tend to break in the tough soil of the Winds.
Remember, we are asking you to help keep the water clean! We always ask that waste is deposited least about football field’s distance away from water (or at least 250 feet, a good solid 100 steps), that way we can keep those pathogens out of the water!
Please do not bury toilet paper. It requires an excessive amount of time to decompose and tends to find its way back to the surface. We think it’s best to pack it out with your trash. It really isn’t as bad as you think! Double bag with non-transparent plastic.
The best part is that when you’re done, you can fully bury your waste, scatter some forest litter and nobody will be able to tell you were even there!
Dirties Bag
We like to be prepared with a sizable dirties bag for all human hygiene products. From diapers, baby and sanitizing wipes, to tampons, pads and all disposable undergarments. We realize that these things can take hundreds of years to biodegrade, so if you would please pack it out, we sure would be grateful!
Wiping
If you prefer to “wipe” when you pee, don’t waste your toilet paper! And please don’t leave it on the ground for others to see. There are reusable, discreet, anti-microbial pee cloths on the market. OR, use a simple cotton bandana. When hung from your pack, the arid climate of the Winds will dry and sanitize it well before your next use.
Above tree line?
High alpine basins are awesome and scenic! They also require a little extra care from each of us. Let’s think about a couple of things here towards keeping that sparkling high alpine water clean and pure.
We can expect to see fellow visitors camping in these basins, sometimes quite a few
There is way more rock than soil, so waste decomposition is challenging
There is quite a bit of water draining in to central lakes and streams
Now, if we think about depositing human waste here, it’s more likely that some of it will end up in the water, at least at a microscopic level.
So, if we can try a couple of things here, it could minimize the impact:
If possible, when nature calls, descend below timberline and deposit your waste appropriately (well away from water! like a football field away) where there is plenty of soil to help decomposition
If that isn’t feasible, we ask that you be very selective with where waste is deposited in high alpine basins. The further away from water, the better! And, as mentioned above, deposit in organic soil, not rocks.
If high alpine basins are crowded with camps, we like to find alternative areas to camp
We know these asks take additional time and effort, but thank you. We hope these measures can translate towards keeping our water clean in these sensitive areas!