How Much Toilet Paper To Bring Backpacking?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Toilet paper should be used sparingly

. We recommend using plain, white, non-perfumed biodegradable toilet paper if you are committed to using a proper cathole technique and plan to bury it. Always make sure you know the regulations in the area you are hiking, as some places require you pack out all used toilet paper.

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How do you store toilet paper when backpacking?


Have a Ziploc bag especially for used toilet paper

. Some hikers like to double bag it to avoid accidental rips. I like to take a gallon-sized Ziploc and cover it in duct tape so I don't have to look at the grossness inside. Don't forget the hand sanitizer.

What do you do with toilet paper when hiking?


Pack out your toilet paper in a plastic bag

. You can wrap your used TP in clean TP for modesty. Some people like to bring a bag covered in duct tape to pack out their toilet paper so you can't see inside. Even when buried, toilet paper takes a few weeks or months to break down.

What do backpackers use for toilet paper?

The best toilet paper for backpacking is a

paper towel

. Regular toilet paper just doesn't stand up to the humidity. I like using Brawny paper towels: they're scored down the middle of each sheet, so it's easy to tear off a half sheet.

How do you poop when wild camping?


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

. 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.

How do you poop in the woods when backpacking?

Where do you poop if you don't have a toilet?

If one of the three preferred options above isn't a possibility, and you don't have access to a toilet for a day or two, a “

cat hole

” can be an option. Cat holes, or personal use holes, are holes you dig in the ground and squat over.

How do you shower while backpacking?


Shower at least 200 feet from any lakes, streams, or ravines

. You want to avoid fungus and chafing, so pay special attention to your face, underarms, groin, lower legs, and feet. Spruce Up With a Sponge Bath: If it's too cold or impractical to take a trail shower, try a sponge bath.

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.

How do female hikers pee?


Use a Pee-Kerchief

.

It's important that you pee 200 feet away from water sources, trails and campsites to avoid impacting the natural environment or risk spreading illness to fellow outdoor adventurers. If you're on a slope, pee facing downhill so it flows away from you and not back down onto your feet.

What is a pee rag for hiking?

A “peedanna”, or pee rag, is

a bandanna or similar cloth that is designated for wiping after urinating in the woods

. A lot of women opt to use a pee rag instead of toilet paper.

What is a poop kit?

Can you poop in a bag?

How do I pack my poop out?


Bring and use your own wipes and pack them out

so nobody has to accidentally encounter your smear residue. Pro Tips: Ziploc freezer bags (gallon-sized) are awesome for packing out waste. These are stronger and thicker than the standard sandwich bags and can be used to pack out other small garbage as well.

Is Cushelle toilet paper biodegradable?


Cushelle toilet paper is biodegradable and dispersible

, so you can flush it and be sure it will dissolve.

Can you bury toilet paper when camping?

Toilet paper must be disposed of properly!

It should either be thoroughly buried in a cat hole or placed in plastic bags and packed out

. Natural toilet paper has been used by many campers for years. When done correctly, this method is as sanitary as regular toilet paper, but without the impact problems.

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 do you pee in when camping?

If you're just out for a day, you can bring your own

toilet paper

and use that, but remember that you need to pack it out with you. For longer trips outdoors, a better alternative to toilet paper is a pee rag or “pee-kerchief.” This is essentially a piece of cloth that you use in lieu of TP.

How long does it take for poop to decompose in the woods?

The number of visitors to national parks hit an all-time high of more than 330 million in 2016. 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.

Do girls poop?

We'll give you the TL;DR first:

yes, of course, girls poop

. Since they have the same number of chromosomes and basically the same digestive system as guys, male and female humans experience the same bowel movements. So, if you count pooping among your bodily functions, you can assume the women around you also poop.

What is a poop hammock?

The height of the roost for your chicken coop is important if you want to use a poop hammock. This is

a device that will hang under the roost to prevent any poop from reaching the floor

.

Is human feces good for anything?

Moreover,

it serves as a major contribution to the environment

. Through recycling of poop that would have ended up in a landfill and polluted the environment, benefits such as biogas, fertilizer, fecal transplant, hydrogen fuel, building bricks, metals, and drinking water can be obtained.

How can I hold my poop in class?

  1. Clench your butt cheeks together. This may help keep your rectum muscles tense.
  2. Avoid squatting. Try standing or lying down instead. These aren't natural positions to have a bowel movement and may “trick” your body into not going poop.

Why does poop make noise?

Abdominal sounds (bowel sounds) are

made by the movement of the intestines as they push food through

. The intestines are hollow, so bowel sounds echo through the abdomen much like the sounds heard from water pipes. Most bowel sounds are normal. They simply mean that the gastrointestinal tract is working.

How do I make my backpacking not smell?
  1. Dry boots each evening. …
  2. Make a camp boot freshener. …
  3. If your gear reeks, use a gear cleaner. …
  4. Protect your bag with a sleeping bag liner. …
  5. Air out your bag each morning (left). …
  6. On a long trip, get into camp a little early one night and rinse out your clothes, especially socks and underwear.

How do you stay hygienic while camping?

  1. Bring Two Outfits and Wash Each Night. …
  2. Bathe in Nature. …
  3. Don't Forget the Baby Wipes and Sanitizer. …
  4. Try Dry Shampoo. …
  5. Wear Moisture-Wicking Clothes. …
  6. Use a Sleeping Bag Liner. …
  7. Leave the Unnatural Hygiene Products at Home.

How do you dry clothes when backpacking?

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.