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View Full Version : Question about Responsible Wheeling out West...



SirFuego
04-25-2011, 02:24 PM
...in a heavily protected place like Moab or the Rubicon?

What is proper protocol when nature calls?

Yes, this is a serious question.

BigDaveZJ
04-25-2011, 02:55 PM
I always go by standard primitive camping guidelines. Avoid water sources as much as possible, and if you're dropping a deuce you bury it with the toilet paper a good foot underground.

311WJ
04-25-2011, 04:24 PM
Agreed :searching for that picture of Dave off the side of the trail at hells gate: lol

SirFuego
04-25-2011, 04:57 PM
I always go by standard primitive camping guidelines. Avoid water sources as much as possible, and if you're dropping a deuce you bury it with the toilet paper a good foot underground.
That's pretty much standard here, but I guess I just wasn't really expecting the latter to be physically possible in Moab? I'd also assume that any plants should be avoided when going #1?

I was recently reading that all human waste needs to be "packed out" on the Rubicon trail. As a result, it seems that "primitive camping guidelines" are a big no-no there, and "wag bags" are almost a required trail item there -- whether it comes to #1 or #2.

Sorry if this thread just seems ridiculous, but I've just been reading a lot about restrictions imposed on trails out west and it just seems that it's way too easy to accidentally do something that's frowned upon if you don't know any better. Don't get me wrong, I know a lot of the rules are pretty "common sense", but I guess it was just something that I never really thought about until recently that could perhaps be viewed negatively if proper "protocol" wasn't followed.

ArloGuthroJeep
04-25-2011, 05:36 PM
When in an alpine and sub-alpine environment you aren't supposed to pee on plants because the salt in the pee, makes it attractive for marmots to eat the plants (more so than normal).

IMHO some of the "guidelines" have been hippy-a-fied.

AgitatedPancake
04-25-2011, 06:00 PM
It is true that you are supposed to pack out on the rubicon, and is actually heavily advocated. It actually started with actual human waste issues at one point. They actually have a campain called the "rubicon white flower", you can search it
http://www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/uploadedImages/Government/Trails/Rubicon/BandanaV4.gif

Some still believe a well dug hole and the compostable paper are sufficient, but it's against the rules

ELLLLLIOTTTTT
04-25-2011, 06:06 PM
That's how MC got it's slogan.

Eat shit.

SirFuego
04-25-2011, 06:16 PM
When in an alpine and sub-alpine environment you aren't supposed to pee on plants because the salt in the pee, makes it attractive for marmots to eat the plants (more so than normal).
Why does that matter, though? Are these ultra-rare plants that aren't able to grow back on their own or something?

For the record, I'm not asking any of this to be argumentative. I'm just curious. If/when I make it out that way, I want to be as educated as possible...

BigDaveZJ
04-25-2011, 06:37 PM
My guess would be that with the ultra-short growing season in those climates it would take a long time for the flowers to recouperate?

Technohead
04-25-2011, 06:55 PM
I guess only bears are allowed to shit in the woods?

ArloGuthroJeep
04-25-2011, 09:06 PM
Why does that matter, though? Are these ultra-rare plants that aren't able to grow back on their own or something?

For the record, I'm not asking any of this to be argumentative. I'm just curious. If/when I make it out that way, I want to be as educated as possible...

All about "the balance" and if you pee on a plant, that gets eaten when it wouldn't have and then wala, there are no forests anymore. That was an example, IMHO, of them going too far. But like Dave said, the [sub]alpine environment has a VERY short growing season.

chadjans
06-04-2011, 12:22 AM
So, who makes a good trail toilet? I ask because I want to be wheeling the Con soon.

Chad

BigDaveZJ
06-04-2011, 12:42 AM
So, who makes a good trail toilet? I ask because I want to be wheeling the Con soon.

Chad

http://www.bumperdumper.com/

wheelnzj
06-04-2011, 10:18 AM
Well not as funny as the bumper dumper this is a good system-

PETT (Portable Environmental Toilet)

Hey Dave, do you have any video of you using a bumper dumper? If not, can you take some while you are in Moab next week. sorry I not going to be there, you lucky sombitchs!

Sudz
06-04-2011, 11:54 AM
poor man's PETT - use a 5-gallon bucket lined with a plastic bag? seal up tight with a zip tie?

SirFuego
06-04-2011, 11:56 AM
This is what Del Albright & company recommends:
http://www.rockytrail.com/trail-toilet-systems.aspx

According to his website (boy is it a PITA to navigate...) Rocky Trail Outfitters donates money to the Friends of the Rubicon for every toilet purchased.
http://www.delalbright.com/Rubicon/sanitation_pett.htm#Anchor-Ge-29625