[pct-l] toilet paper is on the PCT

[Jeff Moorehead]

On my thru-hike last year, I tried several times, but to no avail, to 
convince people that toilet paper simply does not degrade and should be 
packed out. In fact, it has a way of sneaking out from under the rocks that 
people use to "bury" it. I took pictures of the toiltet paper and other 
waste I encountered along the trail. Not what you would call "aesthetically 
pleasing photographs", but my intention is to use them in any talks I might 
give of my experience on the trail.
 I encountered a number of rationalizations for this behavior, but none of 
them sat well with me and went against science anyway. I was amazed that 
people who were the least santitary individuals I encountered on the trail 
were the most frightened to pack out their own used toilet tissue! Lest any 
hikers are thinking about rationalizing leaving their paper waste along the 
PCT, please realize that this is a major issue confronting the trail. Pack 
out your waste paper. If you can't stand to look at it, put it in a WAG bag 
and add a small sponge soaked in ammonia to further sanitize the bag. But 
please PACK IT OUT!! I used to dream up the kind of punishments I would dole 
out to offenders I caught in the act. You really don't want to hear about 
these ;)
Whiptail
 member-in-good-standing, So Cal PCT waste police


> You must have been out hiking and missed the posts.  There were reports of 
> trash left and filled to overflowing at the water caches, used toilet 
> paper all over the trail, and no attempt to dig cat holes in some 
> locations.