I have worked in water quality regulation for many years and have paddled extensively in Baja. At the risk of bucking conventional wisdom, I wouldn't pack human waste in my boat for ten days in Mexico, especially since the environmental benefit would likely be less than simply defecating below high tide (preferred) or smearing it on a rock (in hot sun, if on a day hike away from the sea). Burying it on shore not recommended. Given the poor state of sanitation facilities in Baja, the packed-out poop could end up polluting scarce groundwater or fresh surface water supplies jeopardizing human health or the biota. Other incidental camp waste should also be considered and is more likely in need of being packed out. The "BUZZ" bulletin board of the Bay Area Sea Kayakers in San Francisco had a protracted enchange on this subject. Sid Taylor *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sun Mar 17 2002 - 06:15:28 PST
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