Re: [Paddlewise] packing out human waste

From: <outdoors_at_biddeford.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 1998 07:28:54 -0400
At 08:33 PM 4/25/98 EDT, Geruta <Geruta_at_aol.com> wrote:
>
>what equipment and techniques do you use that are kayak friendly?

1.  Party-size tupperware-type plastic canister.  The size will vary
depending on your hatch size.

2.  Plastic bag to go inside the tupperware.  The plastic bags that the
grocery stores give out when they ask "plastic or paper?" work great.  You
need to be able to have the bag inside the canister and still be able to
roll the edge out over the sides of the canister.

3.  Kitty litter to go inside the plastic bag.  The length of the trip
determines how much litter you need.  Also, for multi-day trips, a separate
bag of litter to use for adding to the canister supply at critical times is
useful.  Get the flushable kind unless you have an out-house.

To use, open the canister, open the plastic bag and roll the top up and over
the edge of the canister, make sure there's plenty of litter inside, and sit
on the canister.  Voila!  No hole to dig and you automatically have a seat.
It's a little low but it's better than squatting.  When done, place any
paper used in a separate plastic bag, sprinkle in some additional litter or
just shake the canister to cover everything, close the bag back by rolling
the top back down into the canister, replace the plastic top, and return to
your hatch.

I haven't tried rolling or wet-exiting with this on board but my guess is
that there should be no problem as long as you roll the plastic bag tightly.
Even if some litter spills out of the bag, it'll remain in the canister.

The only problem I've had is fitting the canister on board and still getting
everything in for multi-day trips.  A 2-day trip is not a problem.  For 3 or
more days, it's a tight fit.

When you get home, pull the bag out of the canister, pour the contents into
the john, and flush.  By the way, depending on the length of the trip, you
might pour only half or less before the first flushing.  You definitely
don't want to clog up your plumbing by dumping 3 days worth of litter and
"stuff" all at once.  I'm afraid I'm taking it on good faith that flushable
litter will not do nasty things to your septic system or the local
waste-water treatment plant.  I probably should look into that a little
deeper.  Anyway, once the plastic bag is empty you can wash and recycle it.
The canister should be clean or, at the worst, have a little kitty litter
dust in it.  Wash it and store for the next trip.

The first trip is the toughest.  Once you've gotten over the psychological
hurdle and actually been through everything one time, the next trip will be
easy.  I've only been at it for about a year so I'm still looking for ways
to improve each part of the process.  If you have any ideas or experience,
I'd love to hear about them.

			Bill Ridlon
			Southern Maine Sea Kayaking Network

***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************
Received on Tue Apr 28 1998 - 04:30:10 PDT

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:29:56 PDT