how to poo in the woods

From Crow:

Dig a hole. I have found the little plastic orange shovel is useless for digging a hole. When the digging is good, my foot, a stick, or a rock will work just as well and when the digging is hard, the shovel is worthless. When the digging is hard, I look for natural holes like uprooted trees, or turn over rocks that have sunk into the earth.

cabin-835-4.jpgFor toilet paper, I use a stick or rock big enough to keep my hands away from any chance of fecal contamination. There is speculation that it isn’t the water that makes hikers sick but their own feces.

For when I feel a need for toilet paper, I carry a few paper towels in a ziplock sandwich bag. When I’m in a situation were a stick won’t do, paper towels work much better than toilet paper, travel better, and can be wetted for a more thorough cleaning. It is thought of as a good practice to pack out any paper that you use. You can however, bury it if you wish, confident that you won’t be causing any more harm to the environment then encasing it in plastic and carrying it with you. Some people have burnt it and caused huge forest fires. (there is a sign on the PCT that says, “this forest fire started by a PCT thru-hiker burning his toilet paper” ) If there is any chance of fecal contamination to my hands, I bring out my wash kit and wash them.

If I have used the hole from an uprooted tree, there is lots of loose soil to bury my poo in. If I have used the hole from a rock, I rake what surface duff and dead leaves I can find over the poo and put the rock back on top of all of it.

As The Crow Flies» Blog Archive » How to poo in the woods.

I’ve never had to resort to a stick as TP, myself. I burn the toilet paper. Carefully. And cover with the biggest, flattest rock I can find to try to prevent the evidence being dug up by critters. I always keep the TP, lighter and hand sanitizer together in one emergency ziplock. And use the sanitizer before and after.

Recently we had mandatory human waste pack-out bags for climbing Mt. Adams, Washington. Those were a great source of amusement for our group, three of whom had never used them before.

I had. And donated an odor proof, leak proof kayak bag for carrying our “droppings”. For some reason people packed it down in plastic bags, one of which broke.

Oops.

related: How to Shit in the Woods – Amazon

review – Ultimate Directions Baffin backpack

My Adventure Racing Team just bought 8 from Mountain Gear in Washington State for $30 each.

An older model, so far we are LOVING them.

The Ultimate Direction Baffin is a dynamite hydration pack that’s packed with features including an insulated hydration pocket, making it a natural choice for extreme hot or cold weather.

Features:

* Maintain the pack shape and never get overloaded – the contoured hydration pocket maintains pack’s intended shape and has a drainage hole at the bottom
* Large main pocket offers easy access while a front panel pocket and two side mesh pockets let your organize gear
* Contoured shoulder harness and removable waistbelt let you carry the load in comfort

Specifications:

* Capacity: 1000 cu in
* Weight: 1 lb 14 oz
* Fluid capacity: 64 fl oz
* Material: 420-denier nylon

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Regular price $69.95. Sale Price: $29.98. – details

MSR Carbon Reflex 2 tent – WOW

I’m seriously looking at this one.

MSR Carbon Reflex 2 tent - WOW

… we were ecstatic to find out about MSR’s two-man Carbon Reflex 2 (pictured at right). Similar to the popular Single Hubba tent (which is only for one person), they’ve done away with the hubs and are using carbon fiber poles. What does this one weigh in at? Two pounds, thirteen ounces. One ounce heavier than the Single Hubba, but for double the campers.

Outside – Outdoor Retailer: The Shows Lightest and Brainiest Tents

It’s not yet on the MSR website, as I write.

(via The Adventure Blog)

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir

I gots to get one of these.

neoairpad1w_2.jpgFor the past month, rumors have circulated among the outdoor-gear cognoscenti about a new minimalist air mattress that’d pack to the size of a one-liter Nalgene bottle while providing nearly as much warmth as a bulky pad stuffed with goose down.

Indeed, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Mattress, announced officially on July 17, is now touted as the “world’s lightest, most advanced three-season air mattress.” Manufacturer Cascade Designs Inc. cites the inflatable pad as being approximately three times warmer than any other un-insulated air mattress on the market.

While the pad isn’t yet available for testing — and it won’t ship to stores until April 2009 — …

WHAT! … WHY so long?

NeoAir pads will come in four sizes, but the smallest iteration — which measures 20 x 47 inches unrolled and packs to the size of the aforementioned Nalgene bottle — will weigh a scant 9 ounces, or less than the average trail-running shoe. …

NeoAir debuts next year for $120 – $170, depending on size. If all is as the company claims, this pad could be a panacea for backpackers looking to cut bulk and save weight while still sleeping cozy in a bag on the cold hard ground.

The Gear Junkie Scoop: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir – Outside

I’m loving my ExPed 7 — but it weighs 27.9oz (790gms). I usually leave it at home.

great gifts for hikers

Check this page on the Life is Good site:

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category – camp and hike

not-all-who-wander.jpgMy own personal favourite: Not all who wander are lost. (I have 3 of these.)

Life is good Inc. is doing well:

Last year, the company sold 4.2 million of its $25 T-shirts and had sales of roughly $107 million, said Bert Jacobs, who along with his brother, John Jacobs, founded the business in Needham, Mass., in 1994 with only a handful of styles and a van.

They were trying to create “a symbol about what was right in the world,” he said

NY Times

(via Wicked Outdoorsy)

Chill Factor hats for hikers

Keep cool on the Trail.

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Kevin Pringles of Chill Factor Clothing emailed:

We have developed a cooling hat that keeps people cooler and safer in the heat, so it is perfect for hikers. The hats have a crystal material inside that absorb water and turn into a cooling gel. When soaked in ice water, the hats get very cold and they can protect people from heat related injuries. For more information, check out the following link:

Chill Factor Clothing – hydro crystal

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more hat styles – photo Gallery

Hiking Backpacks blog

Another great hiking blog from California. It must be the CENTER OF THE OUTDOOR UNIVERSE.

I’ve just subscribed to Olivia’s Hiking Backpacks blog.

Don’t be fooled by the name. It’s got much, much more.

For example, this post on the Palisade EST bear vault. A food protection system which gives a small electric shock to animal intruders.

The Palisade EST is available in (3) sizes. 450, 600, and 900 cu in models which allow for a broad range of capacity to best fit your trip length.

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It’s heavier and more expensive than the one I use.

But if you might be interested, click through to Hiking Backpacks: Shocked by a Grizzly? Shock it Back!

I am still looking for a link to the bear vault which has a night light. That way I can FIND my food in the dark.

related post: my gear 2007 – besthike editor

Alpacka Raft for hiking

AT bought an Alpacka Raft.

I’m jealous.

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Alpacka rafts are ultra-light inflatable rafts designed for wilderness boating. They are ightweight (about 2kg), very durable, repairable in the field, and suitable for running whitewater. In certain terrains (such as Lapland), packrafts tremendously expand your exploration options. The unique virtue of the packraft is its portability. Alpacka Raft is designed to be carried for extended distances, along with its propulsion system (usually collapsable paddles or lightweight oars).

Wanderlust

Ouch. $790 retail. I still can’t afford one.

Alpacka Raft – official website

recommended – Powermonkey Solar Power Charger

George bought a solar power charger over the winter. So far, he’s very impressed.

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The official weight listed is 1.4lbs. But that’s with EVERY piece. If you are only hiking with an iPod and a phone, it would be far lighter than 1lb.

You hang the solar charger anywhere on your pack. It stores a charge for later juicing your camera, phone and other electronics.

I’m convinced. I’ll get one for longer trips this summer. Cost is $130 from Amazon. George got his for less than $100.

Powermonkey Solar Power Portable Charger

Powermonkey Solar Power Portable Charger – Amazon