RRC Archives

I forgot about that little rule...

you'd think with one's head so far up there own ass they wouldn't be able to shit.

porta shitters are targets for vandals and tipping. also putting them out on trails would, a) stink, b) be impossible to get to for cleaning leading back to a).

also who cleans them? a company? maybe but are those companies willing to go out to BFE down a hill for two shitters?? prolly not.

we charge a fee for access and people may not donate or just go elsewhere, (read the gorge) shit everywhere and then that problem starts again.

its not the uneducated, the new climbers, the gym rats, or whatever label you need, its all climbers young and old. i'm a regular guy but ocasianally i find myself digging a hole. i bury all the time but in most of our areas there is a stream within 300 yards so its still bad, at least the dogs don't get it right? it all comes back to individuals, some are fine, some aren't, some are assholes, and some are assholes with assholes who shit everywhere.

Natural Bridge has the cleanest bathrooms around. I always hit them up before I get to a crag.

if you prefer not to bury your poo, PACK IT OUT! Restop makes a great bag (much better than the wag bag brand). remember - even under the BEST conditions, human shit takes over 1 year to decompose!!!

Josephine wrote:..... remember - even under the BEST conditions, human shit takes over 1 year to decompose!!!

Thats not true. Now toilet paper, thats another thing all together.

that information was taken from the book "how to shit in the woods" - unfortunately i don't have it with me to give you the exact page number, but that was my reference.

here's more information:

http://www.chacha.com/question/how-long ... -decompose

Human feces will take 1 to 2 years decompose depending on the environment it is in.

http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_3.php (emphasis added)

Contrary to popular opinion, research indicates that burial of feces actually slows decomposition (at least in the Rocky Mountains). Pathogens have been discovered to survive for a year or more when buried. However, in light of the other problems associated with feces, it is still generally best to bury it. The slow decomposition rate causes the need to choose the correct location, far from water, campsites, and other frequently used places.

In the Red, it breaks down faster but that's an interesting point about burial.

anticlmber wrote:but in most of our areas there is a stream within 300 yards so its still bad,

Based on Leave No Trace principles, at least 200' is the accepted distance. 300 yds is a long way when you have to go!

http://www.lnt.org/programs/principles_3.php

Catholes
Catholes are the most widely accepted method of waste disposal. Locate catholes at least 200 feet (about 70 adult steps) from water, trails and camp. Select an inconspicuous site where other people will be unlikely to walk or camp. With a small garden trowel, dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches in diameter. The cathole should be covered and disguised with natural materials when finished. If camping in the area for more than one night, or if camping with a large group, cathole sites should be widely dispersed.

Catholes
...Select an inconspicuous site where other people will be unlikely to walk or camp. ... If camping in the area for more than one night, or if camping with a large group, cathole sites should be widely dispersed.[/quote]

i think this is the crux of the problem. there are just too many climbers in too small of an area!

Josephine wrote:i think this is the crux of the problem. there are just too many climbers in too small of an area!

+1

When you are digging a cathole and you dig up one from someone else, it is freakin horrid.