This video is about the semi-taboo subject of peeing and pooping in the woods. It’s an important topic to discuss because increasing numbers of people are using the backcountry, causing environmental damage and pollution … especially along heavily used trails. What are the rules? What about the dirty outhouses? And if there are no outhouses, what do I do? When and where is it ok to dig? Do I need to use toilet paper? What are the alternatives? Many backcountry campsites have outhouses. While these facilities are usually not pleasant, they are the best place for both number 1’s and number 2’s. They are built to contain human waste and protect the surrounding environment, especially bodies of water, from pollution. Their main drawbacks are an awful spell and the usually dirty interior. I offer several tips for using an outhouse. If the privy is smelly and dirty, prepare your toilet paper first, before you go in so you can do your business quickly and get out. Use the facility with the door propped open. I’ve noticed that if I do this, other campers respect my privacy and also use the door propped open. It simply smells better, not to mention, the view is better. Another problem with these facilities is Poop Splash. We’ve all experienced it, but seldom talk about it. When solids hit the water, there is a splash that hits your butt … uck. To solve the problem, put a layer of toilet paper on the water. No splash. See www.youtube.com If you are fortunate, your privy will be …
ouch!
it wasn’t sharp edges of the pine cone that got me. a bug was hiding in there and bit me in the nether regions. thanks for the information about the shovel. I’m going to try to use it to make a Dakota fire pit.
Bob, need to be careful if you decide to use pinecones. Don’t select ones with sharp points! I’ve used my colaposable shovel for years. I always keep it in my pack. no problems with bending….
good information. I like to steer clear of pine cones. I had a bad experience once I’ll leave it at that.lol totally off the subject question. I recently purchased 1 of those small pack shovels have you had any problems with it bending?
I should have said unopend pin cones, you know, the green ones….. similing….
PINECONES!!!!!!!!!!LOLOLOLOLOL
Check with Jason Shaw at audionautix. Jason wrote the song. Good luck. Ken
Can I buy the intro on iTunes
I’m warning you don’t use branches to wipe
Thanks this really helped my phobia of pooping
Ros, I understand what you are saying. Glad you had toilet paper. If there are sticks nearby, try to dig a shallow hole and push your waste into it. Cover the area with leaf litter and rocks. Take care, Ken
Hi Ken, Thanks for this – great tips. However, what happens when you really have to go badly in cases of a stomach upset? This happened to me whilst hiking – had bellyache and knew I needed to go immediately with no time to dig a whole or anything. Luckily there were lots of logs, so I just had to sit on one and go with lots watching whilst having diarrhea. Not fun, but I needed to go so badly, I didn’t care. Had TP + wet wipes. Any advice? Would you just go and deal with it later?
Excellent suggestions. Thanks for commenting. Ken
when i went on a canoe trip with school we had two seprate bags one for girls and one for boys and we went with a partner incase someone came and the partner would sho them away
You’re correct! Toilets in the US are water waster! ken
we don`t have poop splash because we only have a little bit of water in the bottem of the toliet, so less water less splash. when I first seen a toliet in the US with all that water I thourt it was faulty……cheers
Thanks for the feedback. Folks in the UK eat more fiber than we do in the US. Your poop is therefore softer, reducing splash-back. We should learn from you guys! Take care my friend. ken
great video,lots of infomation .did you know . we don`t have poop splash in the UK
Great question. Pinecones hurt only if they pointed the wrong direction. Green pinecones are better because they don’t have hard, sharp points. Cheers, ken
Hi Karen. Thanks for your comments. They are greatly appreciated. I became tired of seeing and smelling results of poor poop etiquette. This was one of the most difficult videos I’ve produced — because of it’s sensitive nature. May the forest be with you. Ken
Hi Ken: Thank you so much for this video!! As a woman who loves to hike and also has crohns disease your video was informative and funny. Poop is something most people don’t want to talk about and as a person with IBS I appreciate your straight forward manner and your humour.!! Keep up the great work Ken your channel is one of my favorites. Take care my friend and i THANK YOU once again. Keep smiling, Karen
Poop splash is definitely, Yuck. When I learned about a method to eliminate the problem, it was a “must have” to include in this video. Ken
Omg, at first I thought this was a comedy, but this guy is actually serious?! Hahaha!!! “poop splash. Yuck.”
I agree that the night can be scary. Try hiking at night when there is a full moon. After your eyes become adjusted, you will be able to see very well. Check out my video on night hikes. Thanks for taking time to comment. Have a great Independence Day holiday. Ken
i love the outdoors but at night time it gets really scary