How does one go about making use of the facilities when out and about on a camp?
i.e. where and how do you go for a poo? After all, we all need to do it, and it’s unhealthy to try and delay or avoid it. So what do you do?
I don’t come across this particular question too often, probably because of the delicate/embarrassing nature of the subject, but every now and again it does crop up.
So here’s my take on how best to deal with this issue, and please allow for the fact that I may not be too delicate.
First and foremost we should all bear in mind the camping credo of “Leave no trace”. That basically means that you should never just drop your kecks and leave one there to be found by all, even if you think you’ve been discreet in a secluded spot. You can pretty much guarantee there will be others that will see the same spot and think the same thing as you.
Too often these days it’s possible to go somewhere even quite remote and find a little something left behind by a previous traveller. I myself have encountered human generated organic material left exposed for all to see, used tissue strewn all over the place, and even bags containing used tissue left behind by inconsiderate ‘others’ that couldn’t bring themselves to carry it away, despite actually putting it in a bag ????? WTF?.
So how does one “leave no trace”?
Well, like almost every any other aspect of camping you need a kit to deal with it, and a method of using it.
You need a poo kit! And every good camper should have one.
Mine consists of a trowel to dig a small hole, wet wipes, small plastic bags for the used wipes (I use plastic nappy sacks), hand sanitiser, and a small dry sack/bag to keep it all together.
The first thing you need to do is to find a suitable locaton to dig your useable hole in the ground as soon as you pitch up. Doing this means that you won’t be running around in a hurry trying to find somewhere just when you need it most. You can either cut your latrine straightaway, or leave it until you need it. It generally doesn’t take long so either is fine.
Now to the important bit.
Start by cutting three sides of a square into the turf with your trowel, I usually cut something about one square foot in size. Then using the trowel peel the turf back exposing the soil beneath.
All I can really say about the next part is that it would be useful to practice your squats and strengthen your legs and knees, your aim will also improve over time, and with practice.
I’m quite sure you don’t need me to tell you what to do with the wipes, except to say that after use they need to be put into the plastic bag/nappy sack and then tied up to seal it. I do this by putting my hand inside the bag and grabbing hold of the wipes, then turning the bag inside out which can then be tied off without touching the used wipe. They can then be safely placed into a separate bag used for any rubbish created in camp, which is then simply carried out with you.
SANITISE YOU’RE HANDS !! Nobody has ever said that a case of Dehli Belly while out camping was a good thing. Sanitising your hands will cut down the chance of suffering any such problems.
Pack up your kit and you’re done.
The final act is to fold the turf back into it’s original position, thus covering your deposit where it will biodegrade as naturally as possible. And if you do it well, then no one will ever know you were there.
Some will suggest using standard toilet tissue and burying that along with the organic matter, believing that it will degrade naturally and save you from carrying it out. My issue with this is that it’s probably bleached, dyed, or scented in some fashion, either way it’s a chemically treated material that has been introduced into a delicate ecosystem.
Now, this is how I tackle the issue, others may suggest a slightly different approach, and you will probably find the method that suits you best, but the important thing to remember is that the only thing you should ever leave behind is organic.
I’m a firm believer in ‘if you carry it in, you carry it out’.
Anyway, however you choose to deal with this most basic of human activities while away from home, just be sure to do the right thing and ‘leave no trace’.