[pct-l] TP & Cathole

[Edward Anderson]

Ann Marie,
I can agree with practically everything that you wrote. It is certainly best to 
carry out all of your trash including TP. This should be quite possible for 
hikers to do since they often hitch into towns. And I do carry out perhaps half 
of mine depending on whether I know of a trash can somewhere up ahead. (With my 
horse-companion, I mostly "live" on the trail.) But, I also know that it is 
possible, responsible, and acceptable, considering the environment, to 
properly bury human fecal waste (Don't we all dig cat 
holes?) including bio-degradable TP (the only kind I use).  To me, what is most 
important, is the location of your cat hole. How far is it from a water source 
that others will certainly use?  What kind of soil - very important?  Did you, 
can you, dig it deep enough?  Sometimes I have had to go as far as 600' to 
800' from camp to find a proper spot. It is not just the distance that matters - 
but rather whether the slope will lead towards a water source. If you choose a 
location that slopes toward a dry gully that leads to a stream or lake, even if 
it is 200' from that water source, a good rain might eventually wash pathogens 
down into the water source.  That's why I sometimes have had to go so far to 
find a suitable location. I am very fussy about where I camp and where to locate 
my cat hole. That is also one of the reasons why I try not to camp where a lot 
of hikers have camped. Those places are often polluted by unseen 
germs. Squirting yourself off with water after pooping is a disgusting idea to 
me. That fecal material will be right on the surface and invisible. I think that 
is why hikers often get sick - camping with a group will have its risks.

Since I do not go into towns (I ride a horse - can't hitch) as hikers do, I 
often take my "0" days near the PCT.  Once I locate a proper place for a cat 
hole,  I return to it and dig another one beside it the next day. I have never 
found that my first hole had been dug up by critters.
This is an observation that my hiker-Friends, who go into towns for "0" days, 
can't make. 


MendoRider/Ed Anderson



________________________________
From: Ann Marie <dbanmrkr at yahoo.com>
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Sent: Sun, November 21, 2010 5:04:23 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] TP or no TP

> TP or no TP

smooth rocks
smooth sticks

<etc>

Okay, I get that some of you use organic TP or other trail matter than you 
consider more suitable as a matter of personal choice, but you are missing the 
point that some of us responsibly use "paper" TP alternatives and carry them out 
EVERY time.  If you don't use paper products, that's great....for you alone. But 
the very act of digging a cathole disturbs the environment and nearby plant 
roots. Most hikers understand that idea....and still realize it is the price we 
have to pay as hikers practicing LNT to hike the trails. However, I have to 
question why some of you insist on disturbing even more of the environment by 
(re-)moving rocks and/or leaves or whatnot to use as TP. We all know you have to 
bury them once you contaminate them with fecal matter....so why touch the stuff 
unnecessarily? Nature placed them where you found them.. Please leave the 
environment alone as much as you can do so responsibly. Carrying out used paper 
in an already-carried
garbage bag is such a small price weight to pay. And we need to be one voice 
forward to convince all future hikers to do the same. Please stop offering what 
you think are viable alternatives. Maybe your own behavior needs to change to 
get with the times.




      
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