Packing out waste is crucial for responsible hiking. This is especially true in areas like popular campgrounds and national parks. In desert climates, such as Moab, Utah, the dry conditions mean the earth can’t break down human waste. So, it’s vital to use approved ways to carry out waste.
Neil from the Bikepacking Guides video highlights the need to pack out poop. He shares tips and insights on how to do it safely in the backcountry. Using biodegradable bags and odor-neutralizing powders helps lessen our ecological impact. He recommends following channels that offer the latest eco-friendly hiking advice. This ensures we continue to protect the wilderness.
Why Packing Out Waste is Important
Packing out waste keeps our natural spaces clean. It helps keep the environment as pure and beautiful as it should be. Doing so, we take care of nature and ourselves.
Environmental Protection
When we go outdoors, we must protect the environment. Waste can release harmful stuff into the ground and water. This hurts the plants and animals around us. The group Packing it Out showed how big this problem is. They picked up over 1000 pounds of trash from the Appalachian Trail in 2015.
Safety and Hygiene
Being clean in the backcountry is very important. Trash can attract dangerous animals like bears. In the Smoky Mountains, bears came close to people because of trash. This is dangerous for both people and bears. By throwing away trash the right way, we make the outdoors safer for everyone.
Leave No Trace Principles
Leave No Trace has rules for being outdoors responsibly. These include managing waste well. Not following these rules ruins trails and camping spots. Things like food bags and cans should not be left behind. By taking our trash with us, we keep nature beautiful for everyone in the future.
By working together, we create a better outdoor experience. Caring for our environment, being clean, and following Leave No Trace makes the wilderness great for all. Let’s make sure our natural places stay beautiful for all who come after us.
Essential Gear for Packing Out Waste
Going into the wild requires the right gear for handling waste. It’s important for keeping clean and safe, and it protects the environment. Let’s look at what you need for disposing of waste properly and in an eco-friendly manner.
WAG Bags
WAG bags, or Waste Alleviation and Gelling bags, help manage human waste outdoors. They are offered by brands like The Biffy Bag, CleanWaste, and Restop 2. These bags are eco-friendly and designed to lock in odors, though a slight smell may persist. WAG bags work well in different settings, including icy or rocky terrains.
According to CleanWaste, WAG bags break down in landfills in a few months. This is great for hikers who care about their environmental footprint. In many US National Parks and protected areas, using these bags is required or recommended to protect the environment.
DIY Solutions
If you’re looking to save money or lessen waste even more, DIY options are a smart choice. Make your waste kits with biodegradable bags, poo powder, and extra toilet paper. These kits cost less and you can customize them for your specific needs.
Related Supplies
Other key items are needed for complete cleanliness. Some must-haves include:
- Extra toilet paper: Always necessary for cleanliness and comfort.
- Sealed containers: Like reused peanut butter jars or ziplock bags for carrying out waste safely.
- Hand sanitizer and wipes: Key for hand cleanliness to avoid getting sick.
Remember, even “biodegradable” items shouldn’t be buried. Burying waste harms the environment, affecting soil, plants, and wildlife. It takes months for waste to break down.
Choosing the right green gear for waste disposal in the wild helps keep our outdoor areas beautiful. It also ensures we stay clean and safe on our adventures.
How to Pack Out Waste While Hiking
Understanding how to manage waste while hiking is key. It helps keep our wild places beautiful. As explorers, it’s our job to be good stewards of nature.
Choosing the Right Spot
Finding the right place to leave waste in the wild is crucial. Always go at least 200 feet away from trails, campsites, and water. This keeps our water sources clean.
A cat hole should be about six inches deep. Choose a spot where the sun can help break down the waste. In the Western United States, this is even more important for quick decomposition.
Using WAG Bags Effectively
In places like Coyote Gulch in Utah, WAG bags are a must. They turn waste into gel for easy carry. Always seal the bag well and carry it outside your backpack to keep food safe.
WAG bags are used where burying waste doesn’t work. This includes glaciers, canyons, and beaches. Following these rules and local laws helps keep hiking enjoyable and eco-friendly.
Tips and Best Practices
Packing out waste while hiking is crucial. It’s not just about rules. It ensures a clean experience for everyone. I’ll share tips on staying hydrated, eating right, and talking effectively in groups.
Hydration and Diet
Staying hydrated and eating well are important. Not drinking enough can lead to issues like constipation. Try to drink water regularly during your hike.
What you eat matters too. Foods rich in fiber help with digestion. While pre-packed meals are easy, they can affect you. Balance them with snacks high in fiber.
A good poop kit is key for clean backpacking. It should have things like toilet paper, wet wipes, a trowel, waste bags or WAG bags, hand sanitizer, and, if needed, period products. Always pack out all used items. This helps keep hiking sustainable and protects water sources.
Communication with Your Group
Talking clearly with your group is very important. It makes sure everyone feels comfortable. Agree on places to dispose of waste. This keeps everyone safe and makes things easy. Plan bathroom breaks together. This makes the process smoother and less embarrassing.
In places like Alpine or desert areas, WAG bags are a must. Decomposition is slow there. Proper disposal keeps these places clean. If everyone carries their own waste bags, it helps a lot. This also fits with eco-friendly hiking.
By following these tips, hiking in a group can be peaceful. It means being clean for yourself and the environment. Make sure to stay hydrated, eat fiber, have a proper poop kit, and communicate well. This ensures good backpacking hygiene.
Conclusion
Sustainable hiking practices help keep our wilderness beautiful and healthy. Rangers in California give out zip-lock bags at stations. This shows that taking our waste with us is vital. It keeps trails waste-free. Using tools like WAG bags and choosing where we dispose of waste wisely are key steps. These steps help us reduce our impact on nature.
The University of Montana showed in the 1980s how dangerous bacteria can survive in the wild. These include E. coli and salmonella. Packing out our waste stops these bacteria from spreading. This makes the outdoors cleaner and safer for everyone. Doing simple things, like preparing extra bags for future hikes or teaching new hikers, helps a lot. Every small action counts towards preserving our trails.
Packing out waste is proven to work better than other methods, like burying it. Research and land managers over ten years confirm this. Now, places from Parks Canada to Canyonlands ask or require hikers to pack out waste. This practice respects nature and follows Leave No Trace principles. Every step we take outdoors is a chance to keep it wild and beautiful. Let’s make smart, caring choices to keep enjoying and protecting the trails for the future.
