[pct-l] TP in the Cat-hole

[Clifford McDonald]

A somewhat heavy option is an army entrenching tool for digging deep cat
holes; weighs about 3 pounds including case, folds to 9.5 x 6.5 x 2.25. It
has a hundred practical wilderness uses as well as being a darn good weapon
for self defense. 
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=army+entrenching+tool&tag=googhydr
-20&index=aps&hvadid=22741939067&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=s&hvrand=169428853
91315014488&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&ref=pd_sl_5xbwpkzsgr_e


-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Edward Anderson
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 6:47 PM
To: Gord Freeborn; pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] TP in the Cat-hole

I always try to find a place to dig the cat-hole in organic material - like
under a tree or, ideally, beside a rotting log. The acids and bacteria that
will be present in organic debris will help with the breakdown. I also pee
on the TP to wet it before covering the hole. It is easier to dig a deep
enough hole in places like that. I also bring bio-degradable TP.  I have
sometimes used either the fairly common lichen known as Grandfathers Beard
as a TP substitute. It is the light green lichen that you will see hanging
on dead FIR tree branches. Often you will see those branches laying on the
ground. In some areas, another species is real dark green - almost black.
Mules Ear leaves also work well. You can gather some organic TP substitute
as you hike and store it in a ZipLock until needed.  During my 2009 ride I
sometimes tried carrying out TP stored in a small OPSak. That didn't work
well for me because I usually couldn't find a place (since I mostly  lived
in the trail with my horse and didn't go into towns) to dispose of it - so I
stopped that approach. There were rarely trash cans at the road crossings
where I cached my resupplies.

MendoRider-Hiker



________________________________
 From: Gord Freeborn <gfreeborn at dccnet.com>
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 10:43 AM
Subject: [pct-l] TP in the Cat-hole
 
I tend to agree with the individual that suggested, when you take your TP
out in a plastic bag you end up putting a biodegradable into a
non-degradable (Tim Gustafson ) - I thought we are trying to minimize
plastic into our environment? I boated for many years and found that there
are several types of TP that are more biodegradable - no binders added to
the paper in production! Used in the boating world all the time. Dig a good
size cat-hole, get the paper in deep enough and put a little water on it to
help the breakdown happen quicker - cover well! I think that is a better
formula than dumping plastic bags full of waste - how is that going to
breakdown in landfills??????

Gord Freeborn





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