Mountain Leaders:
Are responsible for what their group’s do, the mess they leave and their effect on the environment. You
need a policy on doing a poo in the mountains and you need to control that policy.
Disposing of human waste in the mountains:
Proper disposal of human waste is important. Leaving human waste in natural areas can result in
contaminated water supplies and soils, and lead to diseases such as Giardia and Cryptosporidiosis.
Human faeces carry harmful micro-organisms that easily contaminate water sources and diseases
spread through the fecal-oral route, often through the contaminated water. Also nutrients like nitrates
and phosphorous can get into the catchment.
Cold upland areas in particular slow the decomposition process and accentuate the problems of human
waste accumulation.
Giardia is a parasite which can survive in cold water and is spread as a result of poorly disposed toilet
waste. It infects the intestines, causing chronic diarrhoea, nausea, stomach cramps, and dehydration.
Cryptosporidiosis is an acute short-term infection the main symptom is
diarrhea. This can be spread through human or animal waste – good
personal hygiene – washing hands etc; can reduce risk.
There are two options:
OPTION 1. Carry out human waste in a container such as poo tube, or sealable bags.
This is the most sensible and environmentally friendly option in places such as rocky areas, alpine areas
and snow. Also for larger groups it is a way of reducing impact.
OPTION 2. Dig a shallow hole (needs to be shallow for bacteria (microbe activity) to break it down).
Make sure its well away from water courses and where others will not discover it.
There is a big problem meeting this eg in the mountain areas in the British Isles, as it is often impossible
to be away from a water course – as the whole of the hills are often a water course in heavy rain.
Poo tube form NZ National Park
Using a poo tube – Bag it and bin it!
A simple poo tube has a screw lid fitted with a large ‘O-ring' seal to contain smells and liquid and
minimise spills.
There is a simple technique for getting the human waste safely into the tube without contaminating either
the user (maybe) or the poo-tube.
Do your poo on a square piece of kitchen roll, place paper on top and fold in the corners, place in a
plastic bag and pop into the tube. You can also put toilet paper and feminine hygiene products in your
poo tube.
Wash and disinfect your hands, carry a hand sanitizer in case of no water- you can still keep clean.
When you get home, resist the temptation to shove it down the loo – lob it in the nearest dog poop bin
WHICH IS, APPARENTLY INCINERATED.
Carrying poo tubes may not sound appealing, but carrying out your waste can protect mountain water
against point source pollution. It can also significantly reduce the volume of waste left in cold climate
environments, where natural decomposition rates are low.
Using a poo tube is a must for environmentally conscientious people and can engender a strong sense of
personal responsibility toward dealing with waste in the environment.
Shallow holes for human waste
Choose an appropriate place to dig a shallow hole. (heavily vegetated, scrub, woodland, thick heather
with deep soil) Keep human waste well away from waterways. Dig shallow holes at least 50 m from
water, tracks and campsites.
Select a site where other people are not likely to walk, picnic or camp, such as next to thick undergrowth
or near fallen timber. If possible dig your hole where it will receive plenty of sunlight as heat from the sun
aids decomposition.
Use a trowel, knife or sharp stone to dig a hole 6 inches deep (about the length of the trowel blade).
Deposit your solid human waste. Then back fill the hole with dirt. Put the turf back if you cut it.
If camping in an area for more than one night, or if camping with a large group, agree on a single toilet
place and dig a hole deep enough for the group for the length of your stay. Ok if the soil is deep enough –
often in the mountains it is too thin with rock just below the surface.
So......Use a poo tube to carry it out.
Toilet paper
Try to avoid using toilet paper, it is an unnecessary luxury in the mountains
Try using natural materials such as Sphagnum Moss or grass - natures ‘toilet paper’ but don’t forget to
put it in your tube. If you use toilet paper put that in the tube too.
ML Training & Assessment Expeditions:
You are going to camp wild for two nights in the central fells around the Scafell Massif. It is highly likely
you will all do at least one poo.
YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO RISK INFECTION OF THE WATERCOURSE or risk the tenuous de facto
access we enjoy (as we have no right to wild camp whatsoever without landowners permission)
Please come up with a strategy to avoid risking that fortunate historical privilege and leave the place nice
for the next visitor.
PS when you have being clawing your way up muddy grass covered in sheep poo – wash your hands.
Cryptosporidiosis causes diarrhea and will spoil your day out.
Andy Brown (updated 17/11/11)
You could use alcohol and non-alcohol Hand Sanitizing Gel