Delicate question on toilet etiquette - national parks
 

A delicate subject I know - but here goes. Assuming some hikes/walks take several hours and up to a gallon of water is consumed the inevitable consequence becomes a full bladder. So what is the recognised etiquette? bottle it and dispose on returning to civilisation or water the vegetation. I have just discovered the 'shewee' and could cope with either solution after a bit more practice.

We always just pee in the woods when there aren't any facilities around. I carry a small plastic shovel to dig a sufficient sized hole to bury the TP.

Pee in the woods. Best to carry a small plastic bag to carry out used TP.

It is not inevitable that you'll have to pee as you'll be sweating a lot of that water away.

But I agree...pee in the woods. Billions of animals do it every day.

Peeing is fine. There are certain areas where you must 'blue bag' the poop and carry it out, but that's only in most wilderness areas and not in the national parks.

Just got back from a 17 day road trip through several National Parks and we took a "potty kit".
Carried in a gallon sized ziplock baggie in my backpack.
5-10 sheets of paper towel
1 travel sized baby wipe dispenser
2-3 quart sized baggies

Pee in the woods, wipe with the wipe, wipe in the baggie. Carry out.

Poop on the paper towel, wipe with the wipe, all goes in baggie. Carry out.

It was used and worked like a charm. No stress and every one was comfortable and happy on the trail.

Yep, pee in the woods, preferably on a rock. There's no need to dig a hole, and you absolutely should not bury the TP - pack out what you bring in. Nobody wants to run across used TP on a hike.

"Nobody wants to run across used TP on a hike"

Hence the shovel ;)

If you step off the trail a little ways and bury the TP well, it wont be an issue.

There is a product called traveljohn.com, works great - I keep some in my car and use them whenever ...

"If you step off the trail a little ways and bury the TP well, it wont be an issue."

And apparently you've never heard of animals digging up the used TP and scattering it around? If you can manage to carry it in, I'm sure you can manage to carry it out as well.

thanks for the replies.
Maryann - I have seen the Traveljohn too and it seems like a good idea to avoid spills!!!
Hilary

Lawsy.

Peeing is OK but no toilet paper please. Practice in your own backyard.
:-)

Isn't it easier to put the TP in a zip bag and carry it out than to lug a shovel along to bury it? The solution is bigger (and weighs a lot more) than the problem.

Of course, the "problem" could weigh a lot more than the "solution" if you've had several burritos right before your hike.

I've encountered people who use any one of the variety of solutions that have been offered in this post so far. There doesn't seem to be a hard and steadfast rule about it, it's all about personal options.

Do bear in mind, however, that it is not proper, polite or fair to others to "take care of business" anywhere close to a water source, like a stream. People downhill have to drink it!

Just remember to go a reasonable distance off the beaten path. That is just out of respect to those who come down the trail after you, and provides a modicum of decency and privacy. Of course, you may have an occasional inquisitive bear or two wander over to see who's doing such things in their living room!

I have to disagree. Pack in, pack out is a steadfast rule with hikers. And I think you might find you almost enjoy peeing in the woods - it's very freeing!!