Re: [Paddlewise] Disposal of Human Waste

There is a story about an Outward Bound trip somewhere in the Southwest 
where they taught the participants the "smear" technique of disposing of 
human feces. In arid regions this is/was thought to be the least 
environmentally damaging.

So the instructor mentions that the solid waste should be left on a surface 
exposed to the sun and smeared with a suitable rock, piece of dead wood, etc 
to a certain max thickness. (TP is packed out). The principle is the waste 
dried up, the baddies inside die, the rest crumbles up and blows away. End 
of story right?

Well, unfortunately one crucial element was missing in the teaching.
The instructor never mentioned to perform this technique in an area away 
from travel and general view. Thus the next morning, upon waking, the 
general camping area was strewn with brown smears on the desert rock.

brad

>From: "Joe Pylka" <pylka_at_castle.net>
>To: "Kellerin" <kellerin_at_ionsys.com>, <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net>
>Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Disposal of Human Waste
>Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 13:19:35 -0400
>
>Did the lower Rio Grande a few years ago.   This is all desert, and all
>sand.  Also subject to heavy flooding.  So the rule there was;  dig a hole,
>defecate.  It would dessicate in the soil fairly quickly.  However, paper
>never would so this you collected in a plastic bag.  The bags were taken 
>out
>and disposed of in civilization somewhere.
>Joe P.
>
> >2) If no privy, and if the soil is suitable, go at least 15 feet off any
>path
> >and at least 50 feet back from shore, and then cover the feces with a 
>layer
>of
> >the surrounding soil and organic material (like a cat in a litter box)
>which
> >will help speed up the decomposition. MOST IMPORTANT take your toilet 
>paper
>back
> >to camp and burn it in the fire pit!
> >
> >3) If the soil isn't suitable, or the area is just too heavily 
>trafficked,
>bring
> >along newspaper and baggies. Defecate on the newspaper and then either 
>burn
>it
> >on a hot campfire, or if no campfire, then wrap it up in the newspaper, 
>put
>the
> >little package in the large size baggie and haul it out with you.
> >
> >If you find the thought of having to handle your own feces unpleasant,
>imagine
> >what it is like for the rest of us having to deal with it.
> >
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