Navigating Bowel Movements in Nature: A Guide for Campers, Hikers, and Backpackers
In the great outdoors, it's important to respect the environment and follow certain guidelines to ensure that wild places remain pristine for future visitors. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to properly follow Leave No Trace principles for pooping in the woods.
Plan Ahead Before embarking on your adventure, familiarise yourself with the specific regulations for the area you'll be in. This includes understanding whether packing out waste is required or if burying is allowed.
Distance from Water and Campsites Always go at least 200 feet (about 70 paces) away from water sources, trails, and campsites to prevent contamination and protect wildlife.
Dispose of Waste Properly
- If burying solid human waste, dig a cat hole 6-8 inches deep to help biodegradation while minimising exposure.
- In deserts or fragile ecosystems where waste doesn’t decompose well, pack out all solid waste using specialized bags (wag bags).
Pack Out Toilet Paper Always pack out all toilet paper or hygiene products; never leave them behind or bury them because they do not biodegrade quickly and can harm the environment.
Use Toiletry Alternatives When possible, use portable bidets or moist wipes that can be packed out in sealed bags to reduce paper waste.
Leave No Trace Ensure you leave no sign of your visit by cleaning up well and minimising disturbance to surrounding plants and wildlife.
Additional tips include selecting a discreet spot that aids natural decomposition and prevents water contamination, and carrying necessary supplies like trowels, wag bags, or sealable bags for packing out waste. Remember that rules may vary by location, such as national parks or canyons, where packing out all waste might be mandatory.
Good backcountry hygiene also includes always sanitizing after using the bathroom, washing hands at least once a day, dumping dirty water on bare soil, and packing a small towel. All menstrual supplies must be packed out.
In sensitive environments like alpine areas, deserts, or narrow river canyons, your impact matters even more. If a bathroom run is needed at night, a pee bottle and pee funnel can be used.
While in the wilderness, there are several positions to consider for your bathroom needs. The Assist position, the Throne position, the Squat position, and the Tripod position are all effective ways to maintain cleanliness while minimising impact. Wet Wipes don't break down and should always be packed out.
By following these guidelines, you help keep natural areas healthy and enjoyable for everyone. Happy adventures!
- Respecting the environment is crucial while camping and hiking in nature, so it's essential to carry the right gear for outdoor-living, such as trowels, wag bags, and sealable bags.
- An adventurous lifestyle entails understanding that one should plan ahead and know the rules of the area, like whether packing out waste is required or if burying is allowed.
- The location of your tent site can significantly impact the environment, so always choose a spot at least 200 feet from water sources, trails, and campsites for outdoor-living.
- Properly disposing of waste is a key Leave No Trace principle; in some cases, this means burying solid human waste in a cat hole, while in deserts or fragile ecosystems, it may require packing out all solid waste.
- Toilet paper and other hygiene products should always be packed out after use, as they do not biodegrade quickly and can harm the environment, making them unsuitable for outdoor-living.
- Selection of the right position while relieving oneself in the woods can help minimise impact and maintain cleanliness, with options like the Assist position, the Throne position, the Squat position, and the Tripod position available for your outdoor-living needs.
