Proper backcountry pooping requires distance—200 feet from water, trails, and campsites. Dig catholes 6-8 inches deep, 4-6 inches wide. Pack a trowel, biodegradable toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. Cover thoroughly when finished. Many popular trails have now decided to require packing out all waste using WAG bags. Nobody wants to stumble upon your toilet paper garden. Wildlife certainly don't appreciate your "offerings" either. The wilderness deserves better than your careless crap.
The Environmental Impact of Improper Waste Disposal
When thru-hikers fail to properly dispose of their waste, nature pays the price—often for years to come.
That innocent poop? Not so innocent. It contaminates soil with pathogens, disrupts delicate nutrient cycles, and damages native plant communities. Practicing Leave No Trace principles helps minimize these devastating environmental impacts.
And it gets worse.
Water sources become breeding grounds for bacteria when waste washes into streams and lakes. Suddenly, that pristine mountain water carries giardia. Fun.
Wildlife suffers too. Animals change their natural behaviors, sometimes becoming dependent on human waste areas. They ingest harmful materials. They get sick.
The visual evidence is just as disturbing. Nobody hikes for miles to see toilet paper blooms or smell last week's bathroom break. The proper technique is to dig a cathole method for disposal in areas without facilities.
The real tragedy? These effects compound over time. In fragile alpine and desert environments, the damage can be practically permanent.
Essential Gear for Proper Backcountry Bathroom Breaks
Every thru-hiker needs a proper poop kit. Not glamorous, but necessary. The foundation starts with a lightweight trowel – aluminum or plastic with a 6-8 inch blade for digging regulation catholes. Folding handles boost packability. Ultralight fanatics swear by the 0.6-ounce Deuce of Spades.
Pair that with biodegradable toilet paper stored in a waterproof bag. Smart hikers ration 3-5 squares per use. Pre-moistened wipes work too, but must be packed out. No exceptions.
Hand sanitizer is non-negotiable – a small 1-2 oz bottle does the job. Always find a location 200 feet away from water sources, trails, and campsites when nature calls.
Some areas require WAG bags for packing out waste completely. Gelling agents inside solidify everything. Gross but effective.
Everything fits neatly in a dedicated dry bag or stuff sack. Separate from your food, obviously. Properly disposing of human waste prevents harmful microbes like giardia from contaminating nearby water sources.
Best Practices for Responsible Cathole Digging
Now that you've stocked your poop kit, let's talk about what to do with it.
Location matters. Find a spot 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites. Period. Rich soil in sunny areas speeds decomposition. Raised locations prevent runoff disasters.
Dig properly—6-8 inches deep, 4-6 inches wide. Wider at the bottom. Nature's toilet bowl.
Desert hikers can go shallower, 4-6 inches. Snow campers? Pack down a platform first.
After business concludes, cover thoroughly with original soil. Disguise with leaves or pine needles. No one wants to discover your morning accomplishment.
Then sanitize those hands. Seriously.
Pack out non-biodegradable items—yes, even that "biodegradable" toilet paper. Different areas, different catholes.
Don't create a minefield of waste pits in one spot. Consider using non-scented soap for proper hand cleaning to prevent contamination. Your fellow hikers thank you.
Consider bringing a sturdy trowel with serrated edges for rocky or root-filled terrain where digging can be challenging.
Special Considerations for High-Traffic and Sensitive Areas
Popular trails face a dirty problem. Thousands of hikers trudging the same paths create environmental nightmares - compacted soil, erosion, and concentrated human waste that nature simply can't process fast enough.
In high-use areas, the old cathole method often isn't good enough.
Many popular destinations now require hikers to pack out everything. Yes, everything. Wag bags, waste tubes, and other portable systems become mandatory, not discretionary.
Break the rules? Expect fines.
Following proper waste management is essential since toilet paper contamination can attract animals and create unsanitary conditions in popular areas. Always bring a proper poop kit that includes toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and bags for carrying out waste.
Alpine zones and delicate ecosystems demand extra vigilance. Wildlife behavior changes when too many humans make their presence known. Water sources become contaminated. The entire ecosystem suffers.
Rangers increasingly monitor waste issues with soil testing and GPS mapping. The solution? Quotas, permits, composting toilets, and extensive education campaigns.
Thru-hikers must adapt to stricter standards or stay home.
