Solve the poop problem

During the pandemic, a group of Utah state biologists conducting a bighorn sheep survey came across an extremely strange sight. A gleaming triangular metal pillar stood deep in a slot canyon in a remote part of the state’s red rock desert. When the news of the so-called Utah Monolith broke, hundreds of people from across the country flocked to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) site, hoping to catch a glimpse of the obelisk – and certainly a selfie with it. The frenzy died just days after the strange pillar was discovered when it was overthrown and removed by four Moab residents in the name of “leaving no trace”. The artist responsible for making and placing the monolith remains unknown.

It is estimated that the Utah monolith stood in its remote canyon for more than four years before it was discovered by biologists; Ironically, that’s the same amount of time it takes the country around its remote desert location to heal from the flood that caused its discovery – due to the indiscriminate trampling of fragile desert plants and nearby cryptobiotic soils (Read: “Protecting Utah’s Living Landscapes ”). But another, much worse side effect of Utah’s monolith craze is the toilet paper and human waste that its seekers leave behind.

Pooping, of course, is a universal part of the human experience. But there’s a reason we consider human waste so gross. It is full of dangerous bacteria which, if touched or ingested by humans or animals, can cause serious illness and even death. Therefore, it is important that you put your squeamish aside and think about a responsible plan for the case when nature inevitably calls before you go on a multi-day backpacking, river or climbing tour. (Read: “How To Camp On BLM Land”)

BLM Utah’s director of communications, Kimberly Finch, said human waste can degrade in non-desert environments when buried in soil rich in organic matter. This type of soil, characteristically dark like the soil in your garden, is common in wooded areas that are rich in trees, shrubs, and plants.

The desert areas that cover much of Utah, on the other hand, are not covered by much vegetation and therefore take much longer to decompose. “In some arid environments, human waste won’t degrade for over a year,” says Finch. In other words, one outdoor enthusiast’s careless movement can mean a really bad, terrible day for another, even months after the first fact. Even in the greener areas of the state, near rivers, streams, and lakes, fecal matter can infect water. Don’t throw up there either.

The most responsible way of taking care of what comes out in the desert – or in a narrow canyon, on frozen ground, on a popular trail, or near a water source – is to unpack it. Before you started choking at the thought of putting a bag of poop in your backpack, those who came before you came up with some pretty creative and effective methods of packing Doo Doo.

“Before going on a backpacking, river or climbing excursion lasting several days, it is important to put aside your squeeze and come up with a responsible plan for when nature inevitably calls.”

(Jeremiah Watt | For the Utah Office of Tourism) 4-day family rafting tour of the Gates of Lodore at Dinosaur National Monument near Vernal, Utah.

What is a WAG bag anyway?

When hiking, backpacking, cycling, driving a car or looking for a light weight, the most convenient and sustainable option is to buy a Waste Alleviation & Gelling bag: a double-walled, self-closing human waste container with crystals or gels to neutralize the dangerous pathogens in human waste that can be disposed of directly in an outdoor rubbish bin after use. WAG bags can be easily stowed in a pack. (After use, you can stow it in a separate outside pocket on your backpack so that the bag does not mix with sunscreen or other items.)

In cases where you camp overnight in the same location or travel on a multi-day river cruise, you can use a pre-purchased portable camping toilet or make your own by lining a five-gallon bucket with a screw-top lid with a WAG bag . (Check out these recommended potties). Portable toilets are required for river cruises with your permit and negligence will result in fines. At the end of your trip, dispose of all of your trash collected by the Groove in an RV center or landfill with dedicated facilities. Ask a local branch for locations.

To keep everything as fresh as possible, sprinkle cat litter and powdered feces into your portable pooperia after each use. (Note: One WAG bag will do about three to four uses.) You can also purchase portable toilets, often referred to as “groovers,” at most outdoor stores. Don’t forget to specify a pissing spot near the bucket, as you want to keep the WAG bag as free of liquid as possible.

Cleanwaste, Restop and Reliance WAG bags are available through local outdoor stores and internet retailers. (Still have questions? Check out this informative and fun WAG Bag How-to video from the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.)

“In cases where you camp overnight in the same location or take a multi-day river cruise, you can use a pre-purchased portable camping toilet or make your own by lining a five-gallon bucket with a screw. on lid with WAG pocket. “

(Ryan Salm | For the Utah Office of Tourism) Lifestyle in the Hatch Hut, part of the Aquarius Trail Hut System in southern Utah that supports a back country recreational experience.

Can I use the cat hole technique?

At this point, you might be wondering what happened to the old cat hole technique. While many now consider it unsustainable to use a cat hole to ease yourself outdoors, use a cat hole when you are in a wooded area with unfrozen, organic soil and at least 60 feet from a path, campsite, or one Water source removed will be acceptable – as long as it is done correctly.

Use a small triangular trowel to dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep in the ground. (Make sure to dig near a large rock or tree so something can hold on to while you crouch.) When you’re done, fill the hole completely. Be sure to bring a double, resealable bag for unpacking toilet paper – never put toilet paper in a cat’s hole or on the floor – no one wants to see a Charmin flower in the forest. Also, don’t burn it, as fast-spreading forest fires can be dangerous in times of drought (read “How to Prevent Fires”).

Are there no vault toilets available?

Obviously, it’s best to use a vaulted toilet if you come across one at a trailhead or at a campground, but there isn’t adequate coverage anywhere in all Utah public lots and parks, and you shouldn’t assume the toilet will will be available if you need one. Never toss anything in a vault toilet that you would not toss in your own toilet at home, as random items (including feminine hygiene products) can damage the pumping equipment used to clean vault toilets.

And as you can imagine, items thrown into vault closets are extremely difficult (and disgusting) to remove. “We pulled tents, garbage bags full of rubbish, laptops – all kinds of things, really – out of vault toilets,” says Finch. “We also ask visitors not to stand on toilet seats, as the full weight of a person can destroy the seat structure.”

Although, as mentioned earlier, everyone poops, there are many specific situations. Utah State University’s Water Quality Extension and the Utah Division of Water Quality recently launched an information campaign that answers some of the most pressing questions about using the outdoors. To learn more, visit gottagoutah.org.

Utah’s public lands – from the High Uintas Wilderness to Lake Powell – belong to all of us. One way we can all do our part to protect them is by not shitting them all over the place.

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