Answering the call of nature

Hi-

I'm a newbie in reasonably good shape. I'm planning on a couple
of days hiking (no camping) next week on the Northern California
coast. I haven't quite gotten used to peeing in the woods, and
I'm hesitant to relieve myself on the ground where the wildlife
might be attracted/repelled or it might affect ground or ocean
water.

I'm planning on a couple of days hiking (no camping) next week
on the Northern California coast. I've bought some "incontinence
pads" and tried doing my business on them. Worked like a charm.
Locked in the liquid in some sort of polymer gel - I figure each
one should be able to hold maybe 8-10 ounces. Five of them should
be able to handle a days "output" (minus what I sweat). I'll just
double (Ziploc) bag them, pack them out and dispose of the evidence
in the trash like diapers. Has anyone tried this?

Also - I know cotton is frowned upon. However - I have several
65% polyester/35% cotton baseball mock-tees that might be handy
in my pack over my polyester. The weather looks to be from 40-60
deg F with possible wind at Point Reyes. I'm also wearing a wool
baseball cap although I've got a fleece "beret" that can cover
my ears.

"y_p_w" <y_p_w@m> wrote in message
news:1138811931.623491.7310@z14g2000cwz. ps.com...
> Hi-
>
> I'm a newbie in reasonably good shape. I'm planning on a couple
> of days hiking (no camping) next week on the Northern California
> coast. I haven't quite gotten used to peeing in the woods, and
> I'm hesitant to relieve myself on the ground where the wildlife
> might be attracted/repelled or it might affect ground or ocean
> water.
>
SNIP
>
I think the disposable pad will do far more harm to the environment than
peeing in the woods.

Gene

Lauri Raittila wrote:
> in rec.hiking, y_p_w wrote:
>
> > double (Ziploc) bag them, pack them out and dispose of the evidence
> > in the trash like diapers. Has anyone tried this?
>
> Sounds polluting (generating lots of extra waste). Pee in woods does no
> harm, usually. Poop is not bad either. The toiletpaper is. But that may
> depend on area you are going, I have no idea about it...

I guess the big thing I've read is where people have been grossed out
by "yellow snow" on some mountain areas where it doesn't thaw
out for months (if at all). I'm planning on Point Reyes NS on several
of the major trails. I've heard there's been some problems with human
pathogens being detected in the nearby ocean or bay water. I know
urine is relatively sterile from a healthy body, but I suppose not
everyone is healthy. Plus - the park boundaries include several
operating dairy ranches. The cows probably don't worry too much
about where they pee or poop.

I've also talked to my infant-rearing friends and relatives, and it
would take a SWAT team to pry their Huggies from their diaper
bags. I also wouldn't want to deny these bladder control devices
from people who really need them. I guess I can keep a few of
these things handy for a real emergency.

> > Also - I know cotton is frowned upon. However - I have several
> > 65% polyester/35% cotton baseball mock-tees that might be handy
> > in my pack over my polyester. The weather looks to be from 40-60
> > deg F with possible wind at Point Reyes. I'm also wearing a wool
> > baseball cap although I've got a fleece "beret" that can cover
> > my ears.
>
> Cotton is bad when it is cold.

I found that out walking the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail in a light
rain last Dec when it was about 50 deg F. Short sleeve cotton
tee over a long sleeve cotton mock T. Turns out I had stuff in my
wardrobe (like the baseball tees) better suited for the conditions
but didn't bring them.

> Cotton is bad when used as underwear.

It's all I've got until my order from Sierra Trading Post arrives. I
guess I could bring some nylon swim trunks or **ahem** Speedos
to use instead of cotton briefs.

> Cotton is bad when you let it get wet.

Although hypothermia didn't quite set in, I did feel rather miserable
with a cold damp T-shirt next to my skin.

> But (poly)cotton is very good choise for outerwear. Exept if heavy rain
> is likely when temperature is cold.

I have some poly/Lycra bicycling armwarmers. Should do fine with
a short-sleeved poly shirt. I could probably also take off the
armwarmers to regulate my temps.

Thanks for all the advice. I think I should probably ask a ranger what
the local rules are on trail "etiquette".

On 2/1/06 9:38 AM, in article
1138811931.623491.7310@z14g2000cwz..co m, "y_p_w"
<y_p_w@m> wrote:

> Hi-
>
> I'm a newbie in reasonably good shape. I'm planning on a couple
> of days hiking (no camping) next week on the Northern California
> coast. I haven't quite gotten used to peeing in the woods, and
> I'm hesitant to relieve myself on the ground where the wildlife
> might be attracted/repelled or it might affect ground or ocean
> water.
>
You're kidding, right?

> I'm planning on a couple of days hiking (no camping) next week
> on the Northern California coast. I've bought some "incontinence
> pads" and tried doing my business on them. Worked like a charm.
> Locked in the liquid in some sort of polymer gel - I figure each
> one should be able to hold maybe 8-10 ounces. Five of them should
> be able to handle a days "output" (minus what I sweat). I'll just
> double (Ziploc) bag them, pack them out and dispose of the evidence
> in the trash like diapers. Has anyone tried this?

BAD IDEA...enough stuff in landfills...pee in the woods! It works for the
bears!!!

> Also - I know cotton is frowned upon. However - I have several
> 65% polyester/35% cotton baseball mock-tees that might be handy
> in my pack over my polyester. The weather looks to be from 40-60
> deg F with possible wind at Point Reyes. I'm also wearing a wool
> baseball cap although I've got a fleece "beret" that can cover
> my ears.
>
Wool...fleece...no cotton...not on the coast...you'll never be warm.

"y_p_w" wrote:
>
> Hi-
>
> I'm a newbie in reasonably good shape. I'm planning on a couple
> of days hiking (no camping) next week on the Northern California
> coast. I haven't quite gotten used to peeing in the woods, and
> I'm hesitant to relieve myself on the ground where the wildlife
> might be attracted/repelled or it might affect ground or ocean
> water.
>
> I'm planning on a couple of days hiking (no camping) next week
> on the Northern California coast. I've bought some "incontinence
> pads" and tried doing my business on them. Worked like a charm.
> Locked in the liquid in some sort of polymer gel - I figure each
> one should be able to hold maybe 8-10 ounces. Five of them should
> be able to handle a days "output" (minus what I sweat). I'll just
> double (Ziploc) bag them, pack them out and dispose of the evidence
> in the trash like diapers. Has anyone tried this?

Bring a cup along, and drink it.

Jon

There are bathrooms at the Headquarters, all trail heads,
Divide meadow, Sky, Glenn (possibly closed at this time),
Coast and wildcat camps. Pee in the woods. This time of
year it rains enough that it will be diluted in no time.
Hundreds of thousands of people visit Point Reyes each year.
I've been camping there for the last 40 years and have
never noticed any signs that peeing in the woods is bad.
After all, the many, many animals and all the trail horses do.


--
Jeff Wilson



"And now these three remain; faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love."


....... Seek harmony and balance in the mountains.
Find harmony and balance within.....

Your cotton clothing will be fine but take a rain jacket
along. The weatherman lies about Point Reyes.

--
Jeff Wilson

raderwilson@


"And now these three remain; faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love."


....... Seek harmony and balance in the mountains.
Find harmony and balance within.....

Jeff Wilson wrote:
> There are bathrooms at the Headquarters, all trail heads,
> Divide meadow, Sky, Glenn (possibly closed at this time),
> Coast and wildcat camps. Pee in the woods. This time of
> year it rains enough that it will be diluted in no time.
> Hundreds of thousands of people visit Point Reyes each year.
> I've been camping there for the last 40 years and have
> never noticed any signs that peeing in the woods is bad.
> After all, the many, many animals and all the trail horses do.

And the cows by all the working dairy farms. Not quite Harris
Ranch feedlot odiferous, but still funky enough.

You're right about the Divide Meadow toilets. I just want to
do the Bear Valley Trail down to Arch Rock. Then maybe the
back through Sky Trail up to Mount Wittenberg. Then Tomales
Point Trail the next day.

Any suggestion for how much water to pack? I'm a 175 lbs
adult male. At the very least I'm packing two liters.

Probably enough water unless you sweat it out normally. If
you have a filter, all the water sources are ok. The water
is off at Wildcat but with a filter, the stream or the horse
trough is fine. The trail from Arch Rock up to Whittenburg
is steep for about the first 1/2 to 1 mile then follows the
ridge line with some up and down. Have fun



y_p_w wrote:
> Jeff Wilson wrote:
>
>>There are bathrooms at the Headquarters, all trail heads,
>>Divide meadow, Sky, Glenn (possibly closed at this time),
>>Coast and wildcat camps. Pee in the woods. This time of
>>year it rains enough that it will be diluted in no time.
>>Hundreds of thousands of people visit Point Reyes each year.
>> I've been camping there for the last 40 years and have
>>never noticed any signs that peeing in the woods is bad.
>>After all, the many, many animals and all the trail horses do.
>
>
> And the cows by all the working dairy farms. Not quite Harris
> Ranch feedlot odiferous, but still funky enough.
>
> You're right about the Divide Meadow toilets. I just want to
> do the Bear Valley Trail down to Arch Rock. Then maybe the
> back through Sky Trail up to Mount Wittenberg. Then Tomales
> Point Trail the next day.
>
> Any suggestion for how much water to pack? I'm a 175 lbs
> adult male. At the very least I'm packing two liters.
>

--
Jeff Wilson

raderwilson@


"And now these three remain; faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love."


....... Seek harmony and balance in the mountains.
Find harmony and balance within.....

Jeff Wilson wrote:
> Probably enough water unless you sweat it out normally. If
> you have a filter, all the water sources are ok. The water
> is off at Wildcat but with a filter, the stream or the horse
> trough is fine. The trail from Arch Rock up to Whittenburg
> is steep for about the first 1/2 to 1 mile then follows the
> ridge line with some up and down. Have fun

Just got back. Yesterday, a ranger recommended I go up
Wittenberg first, down Sky Trail to Arch Rock, and back up
Bear Valley Trail. Something about doing the hardest part
while I'm "still fresh". I met another solo hiker doing the
same route, which made it a little less monotonous. I ended
up drinking only a little over 1 liter. I didn't even have to
go once, although I used the pit toilet at Divide Meadow.

I did the Tomales Point Trail today in unseasonably high
temps - almost 70 deg F. I started off with three layers
and started peeling them off one at a time until it was just
a T-shirt. I hiked in jeans over running tights. The brush
was rather overgrown and I think the jeans were well OK
given the temps and the wicking action of the tights. I
did pee while on the trail, only beacause I forgot to go
after breakfast. It was close to the trailhead.

I need a hot bath right about now.......