does a boondocker s%$t in the woods?

[steveh2112]

i'm thinking of getting one of these
http://www.amazon.com/Camping-Porta...qid=1425864885&sr=8-6&keywords=camping+toilet

where to dump the solid waste? if out in the boonies is it ok to dig a hole away from the camping area and bury it? or bag it and find a dumpster somewhere?

what to do with number 2?

 

[cyndi]

https://lnt.org/learn/principle-3

"In most locations, burying human feces in the correct manner is the most effective method to meet these criteria. Solid human waste must be packed out from some places, such as narrow river canyons. Land management agencies can advise you of specific rules for the area you plan to visit."

There are specific instructions for digging catholes at the link provided. 

The whole *Leave No Trace* website is well worth the time it takes to read it.

Personally, I pack all my solid waste out.

 

[Canine]

Me and Vic camped on the Dolores River in southern Colorado a few years back and it was mandatory to bag and pack your shit when leaving.That the place was overrun with cattle crapping in the campground and river didn't seem to matter.

 

[cyndi]

The crap of herbivores and the crap of omnivores is two different things, entirely!

 

[Canine]

I always thought shit was shit.But,not being a shitologist,I defer to your judgement.

 

[cdiggy]

I find it my god given right to dig a cat hole 6-8" deep and always pack out my paper. Some places you can't do that because of the amount of traffic. I forget the exact time but I think poop (no paper) when left in a hole (some say to even mix dirt in with it before covering) becomes dirt in about 6-8 weeks while paper lasts for months and months. As a backpacker this is a matter of the 'leave no trace' ethic. If you are going to save up a week or months worth of turds you can certainly pack that out and save the fragile environment that you are using and taking care of. Leaving your boo docking area as you left it for the next person is the absolute right thing to do.

 

[mockturtle]

Depends on where it is. There are many places where it is impossible to dig a cat hole. Some places I have camped [not in my RV, where I have a toilet and holding tank] require you to pack it out in a 'wag bag'. Most wilderness areas require that you pack out or burn your toilet paper.

 

[cdiggy]

Yup. Some places are impossible to dig a hole because of the rock. Again, some places just get too much human traffic to let everyone deposit their brown trout in cat holes. I know popular river rafting places they want you to pee in the river and pack out your solids. Good idea since the traffic is so high.

 

[Almost There]

i'm thinking of getting one of these
http://www.amazon.com/Camping-Porta...qid=1425864885&sr=8-6&keywords=camping+toilet

where to dump the solid waste? if out in the boonies is it ok to dig a hole away from the camping area and bury it? or bag it and find a dumpster somewhere?

what to do with number 2?

Everyone got way off track here with cat holes in the boonies.

If you're using one of the porta potties that you show in your link, you're going to want to use chemicals in it or you'll be living outside in a couple of days, particularly if it's hot out.

There are a couple of brands available, personally, I found PortaChem the best, YMMV.

When you are using chemicals in a porta pottie it will be absolutely, totally necessary to dump the waste in either a dump station or if necessary a toilet. The dump station is easier, trust me, they tend to splash if you're not careful.

And just for the record, if there is a toilet facility around, including the one in my own vehicle, I will use it. Our provincial park interior campsites are all equipped with thunderboxes due to high usage. If I'm bushwhacking somewhere or caught off-guard on a trail then yes a cat-hole works but pack out the paper. Wildlife is renowned for being attracted to the paper for some reason and love to dig it it and then scatter it around. They haven't learned to re-bury it after play time....

Oh, and you don't want to be using the porta pottie for just solid waste or you'll be adding precious water to it to make the solids turn into liquids so you CAN dump it.

 

[Patrick46]

I always carry biodegradable TP


hoping my little step helps

 

[SoulRaven]

The bag in a bucket method is a lot easier, the bags can be disposed of in any dumpster.

 

[cdiggy]

I always carry biodegradable TP


hoping my little step helps

It's still paper that is going to be around for a long time. Do Mother Nature a favor and pack it out! I must admit it was weird for me at first to pack out my TP but you get used to it and if an animal digs up your cat hole (it does happen) everybody else will thank you for not leaving your paper around

 

[akrvbob]

On the vast majority of Public Land it is perfectly legal and moral to dig a cat hole and poop in it. No problem at all.

In a very few places it will be illegal, usually near water and high traffic areas. But they are comparatively rare. Check with a local Ranger station if in doubt.

If you're going to poop in a hole, DO NOT dump your porta potti in it!! Very bad idea. If you're going to poop in a hole, get one of these and leave the bag off and just sit on the frame and let the poop fall into the hole and then cover the hole. The hole should be 8 inches deep--about the depth of a normal shovel blade.
http://www.amazon.com/StanSport-271-Stansport-Portable-Toilet/dp/B000K6HN22/

Squatting is actually much more normal and will help clear you out better, but most of us are too uncomfortable to do it.

In or near a city, your best bet is a 5 gallon bucket and bags which are disposed of in a dumpster.
Bob

 

[SoulRaven]

My bucket toilet is actually a handicap style one, so the bucket is removable.  Very handy, and a lot sturdier.

 

[steveh2112]

http://www.amazon.com/StanSport-271-Stansport-Portable-Toilet/dp/B000K6HN22/

Squatting is actually much more normal and will help clear you out better, but most of us are too uncomfortable to do it.

actually, that simple one looks better (and cheaper) than the fancy one i posted, takes up last space in the van when on the road, and zero cleaning required, so i think i'll do that.

that one does look a bit flimsy. i'm not heavy but i am tall, i'd be a bit worried about it. i wonder if this is stronger?
http://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Prod..._sim_sg_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=1DWR6B63BS4W04061DRS

seems you could get an old paint bucked and a toilet seat from homepro and make this in 5 mins

my wife is a squatter, most village Thai's are, but i've never figured out how. i'm still too western.

 

[simply lesa]

That model you are looking at is going to be heavy when full. I'd consider the weight of lugging the thing in to dump it.
I've had more than one PP. Do yourself a favor and get a smaller size and a Theford brand. Spend around $70 new.
Don't know where you are located. In the SW generally Giant gas stations have free dump stations.
Check the SaniDump app for more.

 

[steveh2112]

reading the comments on this
http://www.amazon.com/Reliance-Prod..._sim_sg_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=1DWR6B63BS4W04061DRS
there are a few interesting ideas about what to do with the contents.

 

[Patrick46]

It's still paper that is going to be around for a long time. Do Mother Nature a favor and pack it out! I must admit it was weird for me at first to pack out my TP but you get used to it and if an animal digs up your cat hole (it does happen) everybody else will thank you for not leaving your paper around

Uhhhh...just to clairify...

I am definitely a hole digger. I was a serious BoyScout in my youth, and some things left a deep impression on how I handle myself when out communing in Mother Nature.

oh, and I've packed out plenty when I've been on trips.

I can build an incredibly comfortable encampment and feed a very hungry tribe, using very little...and once I'm gone, you'd never know a soul had even been there.

 

[highdesertranger]

I have a thetford that is similar to the posted model I use it when I am forced to because of regulation. most of the time however I use the cat hole method. in fact the only reason I have the vile port-a-potti is to comply with regs when I need to. I never use the bucket and dispose in the dumpster method, I have seen the poor garbage sifters at the transfer stations, I don't want the poor souls to have to deal with human poo. highdesertranger

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I bought a porta potti but never use it like it is meant to be used, I use it like a bucket, with plastic bags, I use compost bags, I have a bucket in the little van and think this is a better idea unless like HDS said you have to have one for compliance, that is why I have it in the kurbmaster but it is still new, never had chemicals in it or for that matter anything else, I use a bottle to pee in, my wife has a shewee which she swears by and with it can use the pee bottle as well. Pee can be dumped just about anywhere. I like to bury the bags. I keep a small shovel, pee bottle, extra bags and pee bottle in the bucket which store under the dash between the front seats and doubles as a tray with the lid on it, it goes unnoticed, it is black and blends in with the dash.