This is a good research paper on the problems and solutions related to human waste in wildland areas. They briefly discuss marine issues. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the adobe reader article. http://research.nols.edu/humanwaste.html NOLS did much of the early work on leave no trace camping. -- MZ visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> This is a good research paper on the problems and solutions > related to human > waste in wildland areas. They briefly discuss marine issues. > Scroll down > to the bottom of the page and click on the adobe reader article. > http://research.nols.edu/humanwaste.html Okay, let me make sure I have this correct..... If you are employed by NOLS to do this type of work, then you have a crappy job. If your particular crappy job is to gather the raw poopage on the situation before it's processed, then you deal with waste cases all day. But, if you lead the group and the project, then you are a s___ head. Is that right? On the other hand, if your occupation is to design the "boom boxes", then your career is basically in the toilet. Here's where I get confused - if a co-worker asks for the paper work, what exactly is he getting? Well, I'm clearly pissing my morning away, so I'd better sign off and go do my business. Rick *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
The paper wasn't very conclusive at all. Mostly it said there was a lack of research specific to wilderness waste consideration, and what was suggested was we should carry on as we have read in outdoor guides. "There is no definite study on whether pathogens retain their infectivity while in sea water." This sounds like something a beginning biology student could determine, so why hasn't this been studied? For some reason, I feel hostile towards those who advocate we should always be packing out our poop. Perhaps it is the righteous fever of the "leave no trace" advocacy that makes me annoyed. Certainly, there are many places where it is appropriately recommended, like glacial or alpine areas, or heavily-trafficked rivers. I also believe that people should always pack out (used) toilet paper, even when burying it, since often becomes "revealed." However, if my sense tells me the impact of my waste is negligible (aesthetically and environmentally), I wouldn't hesitate. As for packing out urine using crystals, urine is sterile, so why must one transport it out? Maybe one plans to drink it later, or should we be making Jello with it? Do "leave no trace" advocates sell lots of (useless?) gear on the side? - Elias --- Mary Zuschlag <mzuschlag_at_attbi.com> wrote: > This is a good research paper on the problems and solutions related to > human > waste in wildland areas. They briefly discuss marine issues. Scroll down > to the bottom of the page and click on the adobe reader article. > http://research.nols.edu/humanwaste.html > > NOLS did much of the early work on leave no trace camping. -- MZ *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Elias, Healthy urine is sterile. Unhealthy urine can contain many pathogens. That is why in survival situations it is advised that you only drink your own urine. Just because something is sterile does not mean that it does not contain any compounds that will affect the environment. Most noticeably, popular back country sites can really get to smelling like piss during the busy season. Just be a good boy and pee away from fresh water streams and crowded areas and it's no big deal. If I was required to cart my pee back, I just don't think I would go there. Dave Elias Ross writes: > As for packing out urine using crystals, urine is sterile, so why must one > transport it out? Maybe one plans to drink it later, or should we be making > Jello with it? Do "leave no trace" advocates sell lots of (useless?) gear on > the side? > > - Elias *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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