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Poop / Pee Outside

Did Leave No Trace Make A Big Mess In The Woods

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Did Leave No Trace Make A Big Mess In The Woods LTN Experiment In The Garden
This is kitchen compost…

I designed a 9-week experiment to determine how well waste would decompose in a 6-inch cathole versus a 12-inch cathole.

I used kitchen compost, Kirkland brand wipes, toilet paper, an egg, and half a banana in each hole.

The primary purpose of this article is to raise awareness about Leave No Trace principles. The secondary purpose of this article is to encourage you to not make a big mess in the woods by burying your waste deeper than 6 inches.

This article is not to criticize Leave No Trace.  No other outdoor organization does as much good as they do.

Discussion Points For Your Class or Your Outdoor Partners

  • How good are you at leaving no trace when you poop outdoors?
  • Can you do better? How?
  • Based solely on your current opinion, how deep should you dig your cathole?
  • Have you ever come across someone else’s mess in the woods?  Is that a big deal to you?
  • Kitchen scraps are not human waste – this isn’t science.
  • What other areas of leaving no trace can you improve?
  • Is music at the climbing crag a leave no trace issue?
  • Is carving your initial or love notes on trees or picnic benches part of leaving no trace?
  • How can you encourage your hiking, climbing, and camping partners to do better at leaving no trace?

Conclusions Derived From The 9 Week Experiment:

  • Rate of decomposition of buried waste materials at 6 and 12 inches is clearly identical.
  • A 6 and 12 inch cathole is indistinguishable from the surface.
  • Kirkland wipes will completely decompose when buried at either 6 and 12 inches.
  • Unburied wipes / paper decomposes at a significantly slower rate.

Recommendations Derived From The 9 Week Experiment:Did Leave No Trace Make A Big Mess In The Woods

[Read more…] about Did Leave No Trace Make A Big Mess In The Woods

The Best Videos That Benefit The Kansas City Climbing Community

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The Best Videos That Benefit The Kansas City Climbing Community 02.16Here are the best videos that benefit the Kansas City climbing community.  Take a quick look ESPECIALLY if you are brand new to hiking, climbing, or camping.

I don’t claim to be an expert at anything.  These are the strategies that I use.  I’ve taken what I’ve learned from my own experiences and from talking to dozens of my fellow climbers; and put together these videos.  You will come to discover that some of the best members of your climbing community are always learning new ideas and tips – and improving themselves – and they ultimately share their best-practice ideas.

My way is not necessarily better than another way.  Take what you want.  Skip what doesn’t work for you.  And you can share your best tips in the comments here or on the YouTube videos.

No Loose Chalk

Do you ever see signs posted in your gym that say, “NO LOOSE CHALK.”  What that means is they do no want you to pour your climbing chalk into your chalk bag while at the gym.  Your gym wants you to use a chalk ball.

The employees of your climbing gym have plenty of responsibilities – like keeping you safe (and the new climbers safe) giving beta, fixing spinners, getting your friends some rental gear, etc.  The last thing you want those employees spending time on is cleaning up your chalk spill. 

How To Fill Your Chalk Ball The Quick and Easy Way (3:45)

Finger Injuries…Noooooooo!!!

You’ve got to try Voodoo Flossing on your fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders.  It works on sore forearms and sore calves.  I’ve heard stories of seriously sprained ankles healing in a day or two.  Sure, I am not a doctor; and yes, every body is different.  But the stories I keep hearing give me great pause: “Is this really a tool that everyone should experiment with…”

Here’s How to Voodoo Floss Your Fingers (2:15)

How much did your tent cost?  How much did your sleeping bag cost?

Yeah, those are quite the investment.  And just like all of your climbing gear, you can perform some very simple maintenance on your soft gear (tents, sleeping bags, etc.) to help extend their life.

Here’s How to Store Your Expensive Sleeping Bag (1:09)

Here’s How to Store Your Tent For The Winter (1:45)

Bathroom.  Yes, we have to talk about pooping in the woods.

Depending on where you are going, (ha ha, get it: “going”) you will have to know the rules for managing your waste.  Some climbing places have full facilities – like they have at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch.  Some other climbing destinations only have pit toilets – like at Sam’s Throne.  And some places you are going to have to dig a hole to do your stuff.

Pro Tip:  If you have to dig a hole; dig it at least as deep as your trowel is long.

Here is How I Build My Ultimate Poop / Toilet Kit. (2:25)

If you are a part of the Kansas City climbing community or any other climbing community, thank you for watching.  Please share your tips and ideas in the comment section here or on YouTube.

Enjoy your next adventure!

 

Read more about other hiking, climbing, and camping tools and ideas in HCRBeta’s Gear Category. 

Jason at Olive Ridge Camp CO 85Jason Clements is the founder of and writer for HCRBeta, Hike Climb Relax:  How to…  Jason has served as the President of the Kansas City Climbing Club.  He lives in Shawnee, Kansas and also runs the cell phone recycling company, Cells for Cells, which recycles cell phones to raise money for families battling cancer.  You can follow Jason on Facebook or on Twitter @jasonclements.

How To Build The Ultimate Toilet Kit For Hiking Climbing Camping

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In this article, you will learn how to quickly and easily build the ultimate toilet kit for your next outdoor adventure.  This toilet kit works for hiking, climbing, or camping.

I don’t trust most gas station or rest stop facilities, so I always bring my toilet kit with me.  That commercial 1-ply is the worst.  And who knows if there will be soap in that bathroom.  I would rather be comfortably clean than stranded and stinky.  Let’s get down to business.

The Ultimate Toilet Kit Contains

  • Your favorite Toilet Paper
  • Your favorite Wipes
  • A trowel or shovel
  • A bag or pouch of some kind to contain it all
  • Optional * Hand Sanitizer or Feminine Products

 

Toilet Paper

There is never a reason to buy the cheapest toilet paper for your trips.  [Read more…] about How To Build The Ultimate Toilet Kit For Hiking Climbing Camping

10 Things That Will Make Pooping In The Woods Easier

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Always check local rules and ordinances when hiking, climbing, or camping regarding what to do with your waste.  You will have a much more relaxing time knowing the rules of the area.  When you see “primitive” as a description, you know you will have to dig a hole.  Having locals or a park ranger point out that you are pooping wrong can be embarrassing and could get you kicked out of the area or even fined.  Be in the know.  Better yet, always choose to leave no trace.

Here are 10 things that will make pooping in the woods easier for you:

1. Stay Hydrated.  There are few things as bad as being constipated on an outdoor trip.  Drinking the correct amount of water, for you, will keep your digestion moving.  Start by paying attention to your water consumption up to a week before your trip.  If you have a multi-hour drive to your destination, stick to plain water and sip.

2. Eat real, fresh foods in the car and on your trip.  Only eat bars in a pinch.  My recommendation is a maximum of 1 food bar per day.  You should experiment at home, before your trip, to find out how different bars affect your digestion; then decide for yourself how many food bars work for you.  On one of my first outdoor trips, I ate 12 Powerbars.  (You know…in order to save space and not have the hassle of cooking outdoors.)  That was a BIG mistake.  I didn’t poop for 3 days, had gas like a methane station, and my belly was miserable the entire weekend.

3. Before your trip, precut your veggies.  Celery and carrots pack easily, don’t make a mess, and are good for your body.

4. Bring wet wipes.  You’ll thank me later.  My favorite brand is the Costco store brand Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes.  They are large.  They don’t leave fuzz.  I get 2 or 3 Ziploc bags and put an inch of wipes in each.  One goes in the back of the jeep, one goes in my crag pack, one goes in my poop kit.  Also, if your unused wipes dry out, add a little bit of water and they’ll be as good as new. [Read more…] about 10 Things That Will Make Pooping In The Woods Easier