Re: [Paddlewise] Disposal of Human Waste

From: Ian Cohen <cohenco_at_istar.ca>
Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 16:29:26 -0700
(..from a lurker..)
In BC's coastal wilderness areas, most paddlers I know use the intertidal
zone, but with a few common sense rules:
-   Pick a spot that's truly within the next tide cycle, the lower the better.
-   If its sand or gravel, dig a hole (large clam shells work fine) and
then cover it up.
-   If its rocks and boulders, do your best to cover your business with
what's at hand.
-   All toilet paper should be completely burned, either right then and
there (use twigs, sticks, etc. to facilitate) or back at the camp fire.  If
you can't burn it, bag it until you can.

Other options include the "shit-put".  (Go on a flat rock near the ocean,
then heave the whole thing out into (preferably active) water.  Do this
only where it makes sense, far from where others may soon paddle or swim.

If people think about what they are doing, they won't leave any unpleasant
traces for others to discover.  From an environmental standpoint, I'm sure
the intertidal zone can handle the extra organics just fine.  Within
reason, "the solution to pollution is dilution".

Cheers,

Ian


______________________
Ian Cohen  /   Icon Architecture


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Received on Thu Aug 26 1999 - 16:27:31 PDT

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