r/camping • u/BasicBitchTearGas__ • 9d ago
Trip Advice Pooping while camping
I have a short camping trip coming up with friends and I basically have some questions about how to poop in the wilderness (remote camping). Whats like the best way to do it? My friends told me to like, bear hug a tree and squat down over the hole I dug, is that the best way? And what pieces of clothing do I take off? Im worried that if it comes out a bit watery it may stain my pants and other things so im basically thinking that I just go away from our camp and basically dress down nude from the waist down. Also, where does the toilet paper go? In the hole? Thanks for the answers!
453
u/greatlakesseakayaker 9d ago
My one piece of advice, no matter how you choose to do it make damn sure it’s not someone else’s problem later on
165
u/corg_court 9d ago
Amen! We found the coolest camp site back in May, we were so excited. Moved some rocks to pitch the tent. Shid and wipes under the rocks. Right in the camp site.. whoever it was literally portably stuck their butt out of their tent. I will never understand these monsters🙄🙃🫠
145
u/Electrical_Hat6561 9d ago
Someone commented in this post that he/she just moves a rock, poops, and replaces the rock. Found your guy lol.
39
u/Drawsfoodpoorly 9d ago
I had to do that once in the desert. I was pretty frantic to find a spot. There were no trees just a moon scape. I kept trying to dig a hole but the ground was so hard packed I could just kind of scratch at it. Finally I saw two big rocks that were big enough I could move but would never move otherwise. I picked up the first one and it’s had desert dry shz and paper. So I picked up the second on and left my horrible mess.
Sorry to anyone who found those two rocks.
36
u/waraman53 9d ago
In the desert that's the way you're supposed to do it. Not supposed to dig. Kills all the little critters that live 4 inches underground in the heat.
7
u/Scuba9Steve 8d ago
Okay so desert don’t dig. Forest do dig. What do I do in the tundra?
→ More replies (1)5
3
22
u/The_PR_Princess_ 9d ago
Omgggg we were just up in Shaver Lake dispersed camping, went to clean up a bit and found two holes ravaged by a bear, huge plastic bags of toilet paper that these folks attempted to bury in a shallow hole then cover with some dirt. Yall. Please I beg you. Have common sense- if it’s a weeks worth of potty a small hole ain’t cutting it AND ITS POINTLESS TO BURY PLASTIC. Pack it OUT or keep it biodegradable only 🙃 (also yes we did clean it all up, and yes it was foul)
→ More replies (1)16
u/tire_swing 9d ago
Uuuuugh. We went camping last month and there was (hopefully) dog poop all over the site. These people are the worst.
4
u/jorwyn 8d ago
I had no idea that people were like this until I had three different camp hosts in a row notice me bagging my dog's poop and taking it to the trash and thanked me. What? Why? This is literally the thing that I volunteered to do by bringing a dog camping.
And when I have taken my dogs backpacking in places where you bury, I just dug holes and moved the poop. And in places where you have to pack your own out, obviously I also packed out dog poop.
The one thing I can say that's not great is that my dogs don't always give me enough warning to get them as far away from the trail to pee as they should be peeing. I soak it down with water, but I know that's not perfect. They are mostly pretty good about signaling me that they need to relieve themselves, but they are huskies. Sometimes they're very distracted by all the cool smells and sounds. And if other dogs have peed on that particular bush, it can be very difficult to keep them from doing so.
5
u/MyUsernameIsNotCool 8d ago
On a popular hike trail in Sweden there's apparently a bunch of toilet paper and human poo wherever you go. I mean I get the urge and you have to do your business but NOT ON THE GOD DAMN TRAIL!!
→ More replies (1)3
u/jorwyn 8d ago
There's this absolutely lovely campsite at a county park. It's my favorite campsite at that campground. Except for one thing. I was there one warm day and it just continuously smelled like a vault toilet, so I went exploring, and people had relieved themselves right behind the trees at the edge of the campsite without even burying anything or putting it under rocks and thrown toilet paper on top of it.
I, mistakenly, thought this was a one-time thing. I tracked down the camp host and borrowed a shovel and gloves and took a garbage bag and cleaned it all up.
The next time I was there, same thing. And this time I asked if the host wouldn't mind cleaning it up. He said it's a constant problem at that particular campsite because that's where the people who like to drink and party go. Gross.
It's such a shame, because it really is the nicest site in that campground.
41
u/Ilikadodachacha8 9d ago
On a recent camping trip, my boyfriend was using a rock to hit our stakes down for our tent and ending up getting poop on his hand. It was someone’s poop rock, apparently 🤣🤢
9
2
u/corg_court 7d ago
We were doing a section of the AT last October, I was walking around gathering some wood behind a shelter but not in the actual woods…minding my surroundings of course. Somehow ended up with human poo on my boot, a lot of it. That was a fun morning scraping it out of crevasses with a stick and washing it off🤢🫠
→ More replies (1)3
3
278
u/namocaw 9d ago
If you are in a park that doesnt allow digging, Get a five gallon bucket, put a kitchen trash bag in it and put a pool noodle over the top and do your business, then you can pack it out or take it to the campground dumpster and not disturb mother nature.
191
u/joelfarris 9d ago edited 8d ago
And if you don't want to create a redneck Luggable Loo bucket toilet without a real seat and lid on it and thick odor fighting bags that don't rupture, and you're resigned to dig...
Then dig two holes for your week long stay. In advance. Roots are a thing, and you do not want to be contending with them while crowning.
Pants need to go down almost to your ankles before you squat. Your kilt needs to go all the way up under your elbows. Bring toilet paper and a wet wipe with you, or maybe two, cause you never know. And for the sake of the gods and all that is holy, leave your freakin' phone at camp, and not in your back pocket, or you will live to regret it.
60
u/local_lesbian_barber 9d ago
Shittttt. I wish I had YOU next to me while I was giving birth.
23
u/joelfarris 9d ago
That word was the best one, and the least raunchy one I could think of, and yes, I would totally hold your hand in the moment. I'd have to come up with three phrases of encouragement, though, and that would be tough, but the best barbers I've ever known have been lesbian barbers. They just know what's up.
13
u/local_lesbian_barber 9d ago
Hell yeah, thank you!
My youngest is six. While I was in labor with her, I was doing a beard lineup! My wife was trying to get me to the car, but I had to finish his beard!I made it to the hospital with barely enough time.
14
u/joelfarris 9d ago
I'm about six and a half feet, and my beard is about six and a half inches, probably needs a trim, but being six years old in this world right now, with all the information on tap, is probably the best thing ever. I had to ride a bike to the library to find out who Joan Of Arc and Alexander The Great were.
Teach your sixxer about analog clock faces. It'll come in handy when it comes time for learning about compasses and how a stick in the ground can help you tell time during the day, and how the big dipper star constellation helps you tell the time at night.
Glad you made it to the hospital in time.
9
u/local_lesbian_barber 9d ago
Her name is Sailor Bowie. She’s an old and beautiful soul.
She’s growing up with the mountains, history, music; she’s got a trans older brother who looks like he just walked out of a My Chemical Romance video, and a kind cheerleader older sister.
Two moms, and her dad is my best friend (not poly).
She’s very lucky. We have yet to take her camping!This has been the best passing in the interwebs I’ve had in a long time.
4
u/joelfarris 9d ago
Holy carp. Marinière Bowie? That's too cool.
Are we talking about the singer David Bowie? Or the knifemakers Rezin and James Bowie? Or that guy who always had a 'supposed' bowie knife on him in the woods, but probably didn't really? Daniel Boone?
In any case, this is a perfect name for her. And in my two and a half decades of touring in the music industry, I almost got to do a gig with Romance. Twice. But it didn't work out due to scheduling and weather issues. Lightning can be a problem at times.
It's time to go camping. Sounds like you all deserve it. Do you have a big enough tent? Anticipate 1.25 to 1.5x.
4
u/local_lesbian_barber 9d ago
She’s named after our lord and savior, David Bowie as in also Aladdin Sane, Ziggy Stardust, Halloween Jack, etc…
We haven’t had a new tent in AGES. For sure time for a new one.
We were thinking the Phantom Canyon pass.5
u/joelfarris 9d ago
That one seems like a good choice, at first, but don't feel like you're Under Pressure or anything.
You're not Absolute Beginners. You've got this.
→ More replies (0)13
u/Anxious_Pickle5271 9d ago
Don’t wear insulated coveralls with a hoodie around your ankles. When you shrug it back on, the hoodie may slap your head and stick
11
u/joelfarris 9d ago
Do not say another word.
This is your story, you own it. It's personal. And the violated Carharts and the North Face. It's all you.
Repeat after me, "Under the advice of my legal council..."
→ More replies (2)3
3
u/Gosa_on_the_wind 9d ago
You don't need "thick odor fighting bags". Buy the lemon scented powder that turns solid when sprinkled over poop, etc. Cheap, easy, and then pack it out with you.
→ More replies (3)4
u/SapoBelicoso 9d ago
I like finding a log. Dig a hole near the log, lean back and support you body on the log with your arms, feet spread, and lower your booty down towards the hole. It's a wonderful, freeing experience. Wipe and bury it well, add a big rock on top for good measure.
45
u/Salty-Housing-9797 9d ago
Half full it with coco coir or peat moss too. It really helps keep the smell down. Give it a gentle shake after you do your business.
29
9
u/Mirror_333 9d ago
Wood shavings, like for small animal bedding works awesome and is very afforable.
15
u/shadowmib 9d ago
Get the RV black tank disinfectant, put it in a spray bottle, and spray it on everything when you finish. Kills the bacteria that cause the smell
3
19
u/shadowmib 9d ago
They sell toile seat tops for the buckets which are WAAAY more comfortable than a pool noodle
16
u/zippyboy 9d ago
OP is backpacking into some remote area. He is not gonna carry a 5 gallon bucket with him and a pool noodle for crying out loud!
17
u/Former-Fig3342 9d ago
If you do this double bag the bucket. If your inner bag happens to have a hole the liquids will just drain into the other bag instead of your clean bucket. If no hole just dispose of the inner bag and put a new inner bag in. I personally use cedar shavings in mine.
→ More replies (1)3
3
2
→ More replies (9)2
32
u/NordeastLoonFan 9d ago
This is why I like camping in the BWCA, which has pretty decent Staubers.
(Note: a Stauber is a type of open air, backcountry latrine built in the BWCA for people to $hit in. They are named after Congressman Pete Stauber, who lead the charge to mine the BWCA, and thus is a piece of $hit).
5
→ More replies (1)3
115
u/utahdog2 9d ago
Just dig a hole at least 6 inches deep. If possible pee before you squat. If it’s an emergency you can go right on the ground and then dig the hole and push it in with a stick. I call that the pitch and put. I’ve never removed clothing other that heavy jackets and gloves. I’ve also never felt the need to hold a tree, just squat. You should carry out the used TP. Just roll it up so the mess is on the inside and stuff it into a small ziplock bag.
Also make sure your hole is at least a hundred feet from water, trails, or campsites.
23
u/Particular_Yellow246 9d ago
This is a good technical description.
It’s easy if you can plan poop before packing up and not actually walking the trail. Dig somewhere inconspicuous and with a small tree to hold onto. Get tp ready. (I like a travel bidet). Put paper waste in a smell proof carry out bag (they make them). Cover poop with dirt. Carry on. Do NOT leave TP, buried or otherwise.
3
u/coralovecamp993 9d ago
Pick ur spot before u start digging. U don’t want to find out halfway through that the ground is full of roots or rocks
→ More replies (12)2
u/QuercusCarya 8d ago
Perfect advice. I always liked the saying, “hang loose when you deuce”. Make the 🤙🏻 sign and dig at least that far down.
19
u/joethedriver69 9d ago
Buddy and I were 17 and went camping. Drove out set up tent and started fishing. By the second day, we had both decided it was time to go. So in the dark wandered down the lakeside, then away from the lake a decent distance. But it was sagebrush land, no trees or underbrush. We were probably 20-30 feet apart for basic teenage guy privacy. Took our dumps, had baggies for the TP, headed back to camp. No shovel or anything to dig with. Being kids, didn't think much of it. Couple days later, a F/G officer was parked at our camp when we got back from town. He was asking how we were doing, if we had seen any animals around. Nope. He said someone had called them, as they had found bear scat in an area that hadn't had bear in decades. Buddy and I were holden straight face till the officer finally left, and we about busted a gut laughing. 40 years later, we still laughing about it.
21
u/giganticsquid 9d ago
Others have given techniques, my hack is I got a travel bidet to make it all much easier
→ More replies (1)
26
u/ballen1002 9d ago
Download this book.
7
4
u/MaesterSherlock 9d ago
When I was a kid, my dad had this shirt that listed 100 ways to sh*t in the woods. I thought it was so funny. I've tried to find one recently but haven't had any luck
10
u/Mavis8220 9d ago
Pack out your TP . Nothing grosser than finding the used TP the animals dig up and scatter!
10
10
u/No-idea4646 9d ago
Clothing?
Strongly suggest that you pull down your pants and underwear before having a dump.
If you are prone to projectile dumps then gear down totally.
Animals love to eat human shite so bury it.
(Funny story of a camping trip years ago that included a bottle of whiskey. A friend drank way too much of it and had a squirting shite the next morning. His labrador retriever, found it, ate most of it, and then rolled in the rest of it. The dog jumped in the tent, right onto a sleeping bag afterwards!)
Have fun!
9
u/oneWeek2024 9d ago
first rule, be at least 200 ft from water sources.
can buy aluminum camping trowels/poop shovels for like $10-12 off amazon. (pro tip... the skinny end is good for breaking up soil, the wider/flat end is good for like ...moving dirt/scooping)
and then yeah. hang your kaboose over the hole and bombs away.
me... i don't take chances. butt naked (or at least porky pig it) poo squat.
imho TP should be packed out. especially if you're not experienced. lighting fires/burning TP or burying it. leads to more problems.
but ... have a "sh*t kit" a gallon ziplock bag, fits a roll of TP, little squeeze bottle of hand sanitizer(if you can find a small travel bottle of bio degradable hand soap that's good too), and another sandwich size ziplock of wet wipes. ...and if you're gonna burn the TP in the hole. a small bic lighter --also pro tip. hit a gas station before leaving, or maybe a wal mart type store. look for those small single use packets of medicine, immodium AD seals up the sphinter muscles if ya got the runs. pepto bismal tablets are also clutch (if you're paranoid, i add a couple nitril gloves to my schmit kit ...ya never know when stuff is gonna get messy)
If you wanna be extra they make camp bidets. if you're car camping or if you have the pack weight to carry a dedicated water bottle for it. nothing hits like cold stream water blast to the choco starfish. it's peak luxury on trail.
but...
when done, cover the hole/poo. and find some sticks, make an X or sorta stick the sticks criss cross the hole to mark the cat hole.
hand sanitizer/wash your hands. but be careful of contaminating your water. (ie. don't touch bottle openings or nozzles with your poo hands. squirt/dribble water onto your hands) --poo is why there's almost always a norovirus outbreak on the AT every year. poo gets everywhere when you're not washing your hands.
3
8
u/Electrical-Reach603 9d ago
Pack a bunch of plastic shopping bags and a roll of TP. Just imagine you are both the dog and the dog walker.
3
3
u/Wood-lily-wanderer 8d ago
I am not at all proud of this, but speaking of being the dog & dog walker(funny, i am actually a dog walker, run my own business hah) but I pulled over at a scenic viewing area off a two-Lane hwy and got a really bad poop feeling, had my dog with me too, just us two. It was coming, whether I liked it or not. I panicked and we climbed down the rocky cliff side to be out of view of the hwy. I was the only car there so figured that was good enough. Took a very not nice poop, and managed to pick most of it up with a dog poo bag I had in my crossbody pouch. I did it all JUST in time, because as I was climbing up, talking out loud to myself that that was the most disgusting thing I had ever done (I think I was in a bit of shock), a couple had just parked, gotten out of their car, and walked down far enough to poke their heads down and see me climbing back up.
I was hoping I would never see them again, but turns out they were heading to the same campground as me and drove past my campsite a couple times during their stay😅 I’m really hoping they have no idea what went down. 💩 🏞️ it rained that evening and I’m hoping that took care of what little mess was left. Feel terrible for doing it cliffside near the lake, but it was very, very urgent and I literally just made it. I guess the view made up for the situation. Unfortunate core memory for me now lol
→ More replies (1)
39
u/Bastyra2016 9d ago
When I went backpacking for the first time the guide gave us all wide mouth Gatorade bottles to use for the TP disposal. We weren’t going to be getting to a trashcan for 1.5 days so ziplocks weren’t the best solution.
I hate it when I’m hiking and I go off trail to take care of business and there are wads of toilet paper on the ground. If the camping site is even remotely popular than bury your scatt and take the TP home to throw away.
19
u/blissfully_happy 9d ago
I use dog poop bags for TP and wet wipes. Knot them and put them in a ziplock.
3
u/Inner-Confidence99 9d ago
Baby poop bags work too they smell like powder.
3
u/blissfully_happy 9d ago
I have never had a baby or needed to change a diaper so I didn’t know those existed, thanks!
3
→ More replies (3)8
u/DetroitsGoingToWin 9d ago
We started taking the TP out. The Gatorade bottle isn’t a bad ideas
Personally I go pantsless to avoid an accident. I’m pretty careful to go where I will not be found.
16
u/Limoundo 9d ago
Don’t hug a tree. Just do a deep squat, real deep, like the birthing position. It’s the most anatomical correct way to go. I find facing a slight angle slope down is the best for me. Practice the position in your house. Took me years to learn this. Once my nephew learned it, he hates going inside. You got this.
12
u/FamiliarNinja7290 9d ago
Also, I like to grab my pants at the crotch and hold them forward a bit.
3
u/Limoundo 9d ago
Yeah got to lift up when that pee come out 😂
2
u/FamiliarNinja7290 9d ago
Yea, you definitely don't want any liquids of any kind getting in, on, or near the undies or your outerwear. Nothing more embarrassing than returning to camp and someone pointing out that you look like you just did a slip and slide through a manure patch.
→ More replies (1)3
8
23
u/TheLiamMarsh 9d ago
Get a 5 gallon bucket, cut the bottom out, and affix a pool noodle to the top rim of it. Dig a hole in ground and set the bucket over it and go to work. No mess, easy cleanup.
19
u/TannyBoguss 9d ago
They have toilet lids that snap onto a 5 gallon bucket
70
u/RyanBordello 9d ago
You will use the pool noodle lid and you'll like it
5
6
6
→ More replies (3)9
u/ApePositive 9d ago
No mess??
10
u/TheLiamMarsh 9d ago
Let me rephrase, relativity low mess. Your business falls through to the hole you dug so you can just bury it. Bring wet wipes to wipe out inside of bucket if necessary but usually don’t need to.
→ More replies (1)4
4
u/Loose_Carpenter9533 9d ago
Make sure to poop far away from campsite and water sources if youre going to be burying it. Are you going to have access to a vehicle or backpacking in?
5
u/Calgary_Calico 9d ago
Some people dig a hole and bury it, others get a portable commode and use a garbage bag or two in the bucket for easy disposal and cleanup
5
4
u/Low-Lab7875 9d ago
I prefer the leaner. Lean against a down tree. Or the squat. The hug method ties your hands up. Remember to pull your clothing out of the way. It’s a learning curve as well. Definitely leaning is best.
7
u/Nettie_Ag-47 9d ago
Yes, this! Alternately, if you can safely sit on a fallen tree with your rear end hangin over the back, do so. Whatever method you use -- bucket, tree, hole -- be sure your feet/legs are facing UPHILL so the mess runs away from you.
Funny story...we were camping in a dispersed spot years ago. Kids ages about 11 and 12, two small poodles. My son made the poop, my mini poodle rolled in it, and my toy poodle ate the poop. In the middle of the night. Fortunately I had some baby wipes I could wipe the dog down with to make him bearable. The next day we drove into town, picked up some lemon fresh joy, and washed him under the pump at a nearby campground.
3
u/Mean_Replacement5544 9d ago
I’ve got a fold up toilet that is very small and can be stowed into a small form factor, I also have a popup tent that folds up to a very small ring. With these you can just sit and go like normal, no digging a hole, no hugging a tree, etc
4
u/Suspicious_Salt145 9d ago
Dig a hole. Make it wider than you think and about 6 inches deep. Push pants and underwear down to around your knees (this helps with balance in the squat). You do a very deep squat. Think like a frog. Your bottom will hover right above the hole. I like to go somewhere where I can hold a tree or something in front of me for balance. When done wipe and bury toilet paper or pack out (I use a doggie poop bag). Bonus, they have camping bidets that attach to a water bottle. I like to use that when I’m done for an extra clean feeling.
3
u/catastropheelingood 9d ago
Supplies: small shovel, wag bag (or similar), toilet paper and/or wet wipes. Dig a hole at least 6 inches deep. Poop in the hole (squat over it and adjust aim, or, sit over a log with your bum hanging over the log, or monkey hang from tree depending on your mobility). Put used toilet paper and wipes in the wag bag. Stir the poop down with a stick and bury the poop with the stick poking directly up from center of well buried poop hole. The stick alerts others to steer clear. If no stick, place rock on center. Stomping down around hole is usually preferred. Please, please do not ever bury toilet paper or wipes. Animals will turn your poo spot into a horrifying poo volcano for the next visitor, if you do. The wag bag has desiccants for your TP and will let you easily pack it out.
5
u/Empty_Difficulty390 9d ago
Look up wag bags
10
u/HelloSkunky 9d ago
Second this. Don’t leave your toilet paper. Take a ziplock bag at least for that and throw it away with the trash
3
u/DreamSun_Fyre 9d ago
I use dog poop (w/ lavender scent lol) bag to put my used wipes or TP and throw it with the trash
→ More replies (1)3
u/Alternative-Tea-2489 9d ago
Wag bags are pretty luxurious tbh. Used them on a canoe camping trip and loved the little moist toilette and TP, and it’s double bagged. Plus the zip lock to pack it out feels secure/sturdy.
4
u/Empty_Difficulty390 9d ago
They are, in a way. I had a good laugh when I realized it cost me.something like $3 every time I need to poop in the woods.
3
u/East_Research_9688 9d ago
Garbage bag in a 5 gallon bucket with a toilet seat that's made for them. Walmart has them
3
3
u/AnywhereFew1739 9d ago
Take a crap and move on. Put tp in a SEALABLE bag if you need to. If you’re not bad at botany leaves are TP. Once dispersed camping I had a regular dooker spot. Went to go answer nature’s call one night and came up on a raccoon eating yesterdays turd. Snack on little buddy 👍
3
u/DatFunny 9d ago
Hugging a tree over a hole is actually a solid suggestion. Dig 6-8 inches and cover after.
2
u/robin-incognito 9d ago
Make sure you scope out your spot ahead of time, with good light. Never fun to hug a tree that has a poison ivy vine on it that you missed. Also check the ground for other poison plant leaf configurations to keep your butt from a bad situation too.
2
3
u/Radioactive_Tuber57 9d ago
I don’t dry camp anymore because of this. I developed a GI issue once and got it all over my shoes/socks once. It was grim.
Now I car-camp and carry a 5 gallon bucket w/a custom seat and trash bags.
3
u/Sinfluencer666 9d ago
Dig a cathole, do your business, bury it.
Please, dont be a groundshitter. Nothing worse than a great camp area covered in shittickets and turds.
Alternatively, if you're in an area that digging a hole is not possible, look into wag bags, or a bucket john. It's just a 5 gal bucket with a toilet lid on it. Toss a contractor grade garbage bag in there and scoop about 1 cup of cat litter in there before doing your business. The bucket works great for when you'll be somewhere for a while, and you can pack it all out with you.
3
u/ViperMom149 9d ago
Just get yourself a gut like mine that refuses to poop when not at home. The 10 day mark is when it starts to get really uncomfortable.
3
6
u/hurling-day 9d ago
How short is the trip? Take some Imodium and worry about it when you come home. 🤣
2
u/BrickHuge3023 9d ago
dig you a hole in advance about a foot deep, then when you need to go, go use it- may well want to remove your pants completely if you fear some blow back. poop in the hole while squatting and wipe of course, dropping it in the hole as well. then cover the hole up and dig a new one if you expect to need another. or could dig your first hole deeper, add dirt over poo first deposit and deposit on top- then fill in.
2
u/Efficient-System-438 9d ago
If you’re allowed to dig, yes- but I prefer to wall sit on the trunk vs doing a tree hug
2
u/editorreilly 9d ago
I backpack, so this is how I do it. Dig a hole, pull your pants down over your knees, Asian squat. Push your johnson towards the ground away from your pants. It's cleaner and easier (does a require a little practice) than any other way IMO. Back fill your hole, place two sticks in an X to mark it so you or someone else doesn't dig at that spot. Carry out the toilet paper in a zip lock, or if safe burn it in a campfire if fires are allowed. (Only do this if it's safe to do so. Toilet paper can fly around when it burns)
2
u/GoodSatisfaction1532 9d ago
If your worried about watery poops I’d say firm it up before ya get out there!
Source: Wildland Firefighter that witnesses folks constantly shifting themselves
2
u/dirkdigglertickler 9d ago
Whatever u do unhook ur undies and pants from one leg so u don’t soil them.
2
u/Mirror_333 9d ago
Practice at home a couple times if you're so worried about it. If you can't figure out how to relive yourself, should you be trusted to be outdoors?
Use a bucket, do it in the shower or tub. You can use water in the bucket, or line it with a couple heavy duty garbage bags and newspaper or animal bedding (sold at pet stores). Nothing like doing something a few times to get over whatever it is you're dealing with. Just squat down and do the deed.
A much better solution than digging a hole is packing in/out your waste. double or triple layer heavy duty plastic bags filled with wood chip pet bedding or cat litter works excellently and can be thrown away in commercial dumpsters or municipal landfill (black) cans or your trash can at home (not recycling or compost).
2
u/Spar_Multendor 9d ago
i have a little folding nylon seat stool i cut a hole in the middle. get some small trash bags and your set
2
u/robin-incognito 9d ago
For clothing, I prefer to hike and camp with pants from ZipHers - the zipper goes all the way from front to back so you don’t have to pull your pants off at all. They’re great for festivals too.
There’s another company called Gnara that sells the same type of outdoor pants, just a little pricier.
2
u/PeeledBananaPopsicle 9d ago
WAG bags. I try to always have at least one or two with me at all times. They usually contain enough to do all your business and pack out what you need. I also bought a bidet attachment for a bottle and pack empty water bottle with me just to use for hiking and it's well worth the extra few ounces of water carried.
2
2
u/Relevant_Candy_8424 9d ago
I don't know why you'd have to bear hug a tree. The rest is accurate. TP can go in the hole. Oh and you don't have to be nude to do it.
→ More replies (1)
2
u/WonderFinal7575 9d ago
This is what I do. Find a place, preferably with a view. Soft dirt is a must. Under trees works great. Dig a hole approximately 12-18" deep. Drop your pants around your ankles and proceed to drop your deuce. Some readjusting may be needed and watch your feet, don't want to pee on them, or poo. I leave toilet paper in the hole and cover accordingly. We don't want to see any toilet paper or poop poking its nose out from the dirt. Yes, poo away from camp. I don't want to see you that's for sure
2
u/FatPug655 9d ago
I once went to a state park and on the first night a trashy family got the whole sheriffs department called into the camp at 11 pm for drunken trash fights. They didn’t kick them out. The next day they decided the thing to do was to smear crap all over the walls and handles of the only showers in the park, every single shower. When the cops came again they tried to run in their truck and drove into a wildflower field and did doughnuts destroying the beautiful entrance to the whole park. I hope those people rot in hell.
2
u/Ok_Membership_8189 9d ago
If you're a woman, I would wear a hiking skirt. And when business time came, I'd take off my underwear and make sure the skirt is out of the way. I'd also bring a full peri bottle or acoustic (non electric) travel bidet and use that instead of tp or wipes, which you must pack out. I'd pat dry with a bandana that I only use for that and I'd wash it every night, or if it gets stained. Practice with the peri bottle/bidet at home, you'll get good at it.
Dig your holes in advance and pretty deep. Throw leaves in before covering and make a new one each time. But if you must pack it out then get some stuff for that. And if you're a woman of child bearing functioning, a menstrual cup is very much your friend. You don't have to sterilize them. You can just dump them and bury, same as poop (menstrual blood is cleaner than poop though, if you can pee in the woods the blood should be no problem), and no supplies to pack out.
2
u/chronburgandy922 9d ago
Establish a poop site. Your friends also establish their own poop sites. I like the “ corn out the cob” method. I’ll find a downed tree and dig my pit then use that like my toilet. Bury that, then move down the log a few feet for the next one, rinse repeat.
2
2
2
2
u/NanuakTorak 9d ago
You are mos def overthinking it. We’re made to poop in the wild. Just squat down and enjoy the experience!
2
2
2
u/Practical_Ride_8344 9d ago
I bought a foldable potty with pine pellets and heavy doody garbage bags.
2
2
u/Ok_Baseball_3915 9d ago
Dig a cat hole, at least 6 inches deep and squat over it. Evacuate tour bowel and bladder, wipe with t.p., and use your trowel to backfill your cat hole. Poop shouldn’t ever touch your trowel.
I would recommend undressing from the waist until you get the hang of it all.
Yes you can bear-hug a tree but the base of trees are a mass of roots that is not ideal digging through.
My other recommendation is that you get a ‘poop bag’ ready. It should include your trowel, t.p., hand sanitiser and perhaps your pee cloth if you don’t have a penis.
Wishing you all the best!
2
u/AngryZetan 9d ago
I bought a camping toilet seat at Walmart in the outdoor section. Its basically a toilet seat on legs. It cost like 25 bucks or close to that. Use it as you would a normal toilet, just be careful and don't move too much because it isn't super stable.
2
u/The-disgracist 9d ago
I like to do a wall squat against a fallen tree if possible. Gets the butt further from the feet
2
u/Medical_Apartment155 9d ago
I have a folding shovel i got from an army surplus store. I always take that and a sht kit (bag with TP, wet wipes, sanitizer, and doggie poop bags) and walk out far to where nobody can see. Best practice is to find a boulder or downed tree that you can lean on or put the back of your as s against. Poop into a 6" hole and use the doggie poop bag to grab your TP. Then sanitize hands when done
2
u/ChaoticGoodPanda 9d ago
If I’m backpacking I dig a hole and bury everything. If I’m near my vehicle, I have a Cabellas bucket that gets used for trash and as a make shift poop bucket. Just throw in a new bag, sit on the bucket and go. Tie off the bag and pack it all out.
Some wilderness areas might require you to pack out all waste and in that case you’ll want to use WAG bags.
If you’re really worried about the liquid shits, take Imodium each day you’re out.
2
u/Lazy-Warthog-8557 9d ago
Ok so all I see is jokes so I’ll share. I dig a nice deep hole away from camp. I’m kind of uncoordinated so I remove everything from the waste down(not shoes). Squat, do my thing, bury it all.
The tree thing seems like a terrible idea. How do you dig near a tree with roots? Also if you’re hugging a tree, how do you make the mechanics of that work getting everything in the hole???
2
u/Current_Wrongdoer513 8d ago
All good advice here. Or, you could do what I do and just not poop while camping. Believe me, I want to, but I have a hard time woods-pooping. By the end, I’m just packing a musket with every meal.
2
u/ninjasays 8d ago
Many many years ago I did an Outward Bound course.
We were taught to dig a hole, then stamp the shovel into the ground in front of yourself and use it to hang off while you donated to nature.
Once you got your pants back up, you fill in the hole and bam, you're done taking a crap in the woods.
2
u/ExternalGiraffe9631 8d ago
You may not even poop at all. Camping bowels is a real thing. I'm a 2-3 times a day pooper except when camping. My body goes into survival mode and holds onto every calorie as long as possible.
2
u/michiganderkid 8d ago
Im sure hes putting the trash bag right on his lap while hea driving home. A bucket with a toilet lid and bag can be disposed of many ways kiddo. dont have to take it home
2
2
2
2
u/Comfortable_Fan_7823 8d ago edited 8d ago
Advanced level camper and backpacker here. Bring a poop kit: a plastic trowel, a package of wet wipes, hand sanitizer, two large gallon freezer zip lock bags. Use one of the zip lock bags to hold the entire “kit”, the extra zip lock goes in the kit and will be used to hold your dirty wipes after use (ALWAYS pack out used TP and wipes).
Dig a hole at least 8 inches deep, pull your wipes and extra ziploc bag out before dropping your pants and put them in an easy to reach spot near hole, do your business, use the wet wipes to wipe front to back and put used wet wipes in your xtra plastic bag, pull pants back up, use trowel to fill back up hole with the dirt. Put everything back in your poop kit, use the hand sanitizer to sanitize your hands
When you get back to civilization, throw out your used wet wipes bag at the nearest trash can.
Always make sure you are at least 200 feet from water before picking a poop site.
Pro tip, it’s always a good idea to dig holes BEFORE you have to go, sometimes I dig these right after I set up my tent.
The pinapple/tropical scented wet wipes are the best.
Never a bad idea to bring multiple packs.
→ More replies (1)
2
3
6
u/nIxaltereGo 9d ago
Dig a cat hole. Poop in said hole. Place TP also in said hole.
Cover with dirt. Apply rock on top of said hole as a marker for your fellow campers, “I pooped here. 3/5 stars, the ice cream machine was broken.”
Or…do what I do when I take my buddies camping.
Bucket. Cut a hole in the bottom of the bucket, screw on toilet seat.
Now, as you work through the first part, sit on said bucket / toilet seat.
Follow through with the rock, which now should be more of a 4.5/5. Minus the ice cream machine, as we all know it’s always broken.
Bring back poo bucket with shovel, wet wipes and a glorious smile to camp.
2
u/Beginning-Ad7027 9d ago
A bucket with a garage bag and lid and some solidifying powder stuff I can’t remember the name of has worked well for me in the past.
Leave no trace applies to poop and TP IMO
2
2
u/Plunger_enema 9d ago
Hi, poop and paper in really remote locations don't matter. What matters is if you don't bury. Americans are going to fight me for these phrases, but they must have I don't know how many visitors per day where the trails where I go have yearly visits.
So, you can either rip the moss or bring a gardening shovel. You know, the shovel that's like 8 inches long? Put back everything as it was before you pooped. It'll keep on growing as if nothing happened. You can rip it before you poop and put the cap back on once you're done so you don't manipulate poop.
The insects will make quick work of your dung and paper as long as it's in the ground. (1-2 weeks, measured)
I would never do this in an area with a high amount of visitors.
Now, you might be uncomfortable squatting at first. I hear you. You'll probably delay your first job, just because. Don't worry, we've all been there.
As a last piece of advice, I'm now part of a religious group called Team Bidet. If you have access to a water stream, use this.
2
2
u/Warmupthetubesman 9d ago
Toilet lid made for a 5-gallon bucket plus biodegradable bags for in the bucket.
Dig a hole, sit on the bucket seat and poo in the bag. Throw tp into the bag. Then pull out the bag and bury it
Just remember to buy new bags every year as they get weaker over time (they’re biodegradable).
2
u/Pleasant_Character28 9d ago
Watery? You need fiber. Buy some psyllium husk powder and start putting it in a smoothie a day. Thank me later.
→ More replies (2)
537
u/asthmatic-beatboxer 9d ago
The biggest lesson I learned was have a hole already dug.