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Over the past 6 years we have spent a lot of time in the backcountry as volunteer Forest Service Wilderness Information Specialists. In that job, we chat with wilderness visitors about Leave No Trace principles, as well as provide general information and route directions. Most people we meet really care about the wilderness like we do, and want to learn how they can do better. In our opinion, backpackers as a group have the highest backcountry ethics. However, there are certain areas where backpackers (and other users) can do better. Many backpackers are either young and inexperienced or have not given these issues enough thought. Here on our Rant page we would like to identify some behaviors that could stand some improvement.
Proper Disposal of Human Waste
The fact is that the poop soon disappears, but the TP lasts a long time, and grosses people out a long time. In dry desert or canyon country conditions, TP can last 6 years or more. What we are asking you to do is to Bury Your Poop and Pack out your TP. We have been packing out our TP for years and it is no big deal, just another type of trash. We use a bag-in-bag system, where we carry squares of paper towels (our TP) in one plastic bag and put the used stuff in the other bag. When we get home we toss the bag of used TP. Squares of paper towel about 4"x 4" work great as TP; they are stronger and can be folded several times, so you need less of it. Many people protest against packing out TP, but its time to stop denying its a problem and start doing the right thing.
Burning Trash in a Camp Fire
Dogs in the Water Supply Everyone likes to share the wilderness with good friends, including their canine friends. However, a pet owner needs to take responsibility for his/her pet. One thing we see quite often in desert and canyon country is dogs (and people) taking a dip in a waterhole to cool off. That seems harmless enough, but do you realize that your dog (including the part under his tail) is taking a bath in the next visitor's water supply? Would you like to visit my house and be offered a glass of bath water to drink? No? Then don't do it to the next visitor! Please think beyond your (and your dog's) own amusement and keep your butt out of the water supply. |
This discussion is commonly called "How to Poop in the Woods." You have
probably heard about digging a 4-6" deep cathole to bury human waste.
Most people are now using this method. Its the proper thing to do, rather
than rolling over a rock. In heavy-use areas, it is often hard to find a
rock without poop and TP under it. The key issue that we want to focus on is
TOILET PAPER. It's unbelievable, but many people actually leave toilet
paper laying on the ground. Others bury it in their cathole and animals
dig it up and bring it to the surface. Can you imagine the impact that has
on the next visitor? Ugh!! Talk about ruining someone's wilderness
experience! 
In our ultralight techniques page, we recommend re-packing all food in
lightweight plastic bags and leaving the original packaging at home. This
is lighter and simpler. However many people are not that organized so they
end up with a lot of packaging that they want to burn in a campfire,
rather than pack it out. The problem is that much of today's packaging has
an aluminum foil lining that does not burn, and many people walk
away and leave the unburned remains in the fire ring. Bad!! If you have to burn trash in the
backcountry, please dig the unburned foil, etc. out of the ashes.
Otherwise you are are a litterer, and should be banished to Winslow, AZ! Better yet, don't pack it in so you don't have to pack it
out.