How Much Toilet Paper For Backpacking?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If you haven't used biodegradable toilet paper, you'll need to pack out your soiled TP. That may sound gross, but it's really not that bad. Simply

fold your used toilet paper, place it in a separate ziplock, and carry it out as trash

.

Do backpackers bring toilet paper?

On a day hike,

you can carry a couple wads of toilet paper or tissue

and a small zip-top plastic bag.

How do you pack out toilet paper?


With a Ziploc bag and a small trash bag

, that's how (at that's one way). Furthermore, first put the trash bag inside the Ziploc. Then put the paper in the trash bag and fold it up. Next seal the Ziploc and put in pack to carry out.

How do you store toilet paper when camping?


Open up the ziploc bag and put the roll of toilet paper into the bag so that you are looking down into the middle of the roll

. Note: You don't need to use a full roll, if you are just going on an over night or a day trip – just keep an eye on the roll in the bathroom until its about the size you think you'll need.

How do you poop when wild camping?


Always poop at least 200ft (60m) from water sources, trails, roads, and established

. Use outhouses, pit toilets, and other designated facilities whenever possible. Always bury your poop in a cathole (more on that later) that's at least 6-8′′ (15.2-20.3 cm) deep, but don't bury or burn your toilet paper.

Why are you supposed to bury your poop?

Proper disposal of human waste is important to

avoid pollution of water sources, avoid the negative implications of someone else finding it, minimize the possibility of spreading disease and maximize the rate of decomposition

.

What is a poop kit?

What should be in a hiking day pack?

  • Hiking backpack.
  • Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
  • Hiking boots or shoes.
  • Plenty of food.
  • Plenty of water.
  • Navigation tools such as a map and compass.
  • First-aid kit.
  • Knife or multi-tool.

How do people in the desert poop?

Can you poop in a bag?

Does toilet paper go in bear canister?

Side note: Used tampons, toilet paper, menstrual cups, and so forth

should not go into your canister

– bears aren't interested in munching on this stuff, so it doesn't need to be contained in your personal Food Knox.

Can you poop in a camping toilet?


Yes, you can poop in porta potties

. Porta potties are equipped to handle both #1 and #2. A toilet does not need to flush for you to poop. Now, the person going after you may not be thrilled that you did if it's really stinky.

What is a cat hole latrine?

A cathole or cat hole or sometimes pighole is

a pit for human feces

. Catholes are frequently used for the purpose of disposing of bowel movements or waste water (such as the water from cleaning the kitchen dishes) by hikers and others engaging in outdoor recreation.

Can you poop in the woods?

But

you can still poop in the woods without toilet paper

. Collect smooth rocks or large, smooth leaves while hiking. No poisonous stuff for the love of God! Stick them in your pocket when you come across them so they're ready when you need them.

Can you bury human waste?


For many recreational activities, visitors can bury human waste in a 6- to 8-inch cat hole

, but some locations may require special equipment or different methods to properly disposing of human waste.

What can you use for toilet paper in the woods?

  1. Moss. A handful of soft moss is just the thing. …
  2. Old Man's Beard. A bunch of old man's beard or Spanish moss gathered from tree limb will do the job. …
  3. Lamb's Ear. Lamb's ear leaves are soft and absorbent. …
  4. Mullein. Mullein leaves are much like lamb's ear's, but usually bigger. …
  5. Slippery Elm. …
  6. Osage Orange.

Can you use kitty litter for human waste?

Welcome to the world of disposable human waste bags. Combining the principles of kitty litter and plastic bag-based poop-scooping (a skill of urban dog owners everywhere), these bags rely on trade-secret combinations of gelling agents, enzymes and deodorizers to sequester human waste into a manageable package.

How do hikers go to the bathroom?

How to Pee While Hiking. Peeing on the trail is pretty straightforward:

head away from water sources, the trail and campsites and find a private spot to go

. Urine doesn't have much effect on animals, plants or soil the way poop does. If possible, try to pee on rocks or gravel rather than plants.

How long does human waste take to decompose?

The math pretty much stinks: Humans produce up to a pound of poop per day and human feces take

about a year

to biodegrade. Humans produce up to a pound of poop per day and human feces take about a year to biodegrade.

How do you make a hiking poop kit?

  1. Trowel.
  2. Toilet Paper.
  3. Small Bag to pack out toilet paper.
  4. Wag Bag (may be optional, required in many alpine wilderness areas; read more below)
  5. Hand Sanitizer.
  6. Backpacking Poop Kit Bag.

How do you use a backpacking bidet?

How do you poop on a big wall?

Can you wear jeans on a hike?


If you're hiking in mild 50-80 degree weather, jeans will be totally fine

. Jeans DO dry out, just like any item of clothing–but cotton is especially prone to retaining moisture for long periods of time.

Are timbs good for hiking?

Closing Thoughts.

Timberland hiking boots are not the best picks if you're looking for hiking boots

. They are not flexible enough or durable enough for modern hikers to wear. While you can wear them on short day hikes, expect your Timberlands to fail you once you start distance hiking.

Can I wear leggings to hike?


Yes, you can absolutely wear yoga pants while hiking

(though leave cotton yoga pants at home). More people than ever want a single pair of tights that can work in many situations, from running to the grocery store to hiking in the mountains.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.