The topic of urination and bowel movements seems to surface quite a bit in the backcountry. I know people who flat out refuse to do either bodily function without the presence of a toilet located indoors. And, I know people who will relieve themselves anywhere...anytime. Then there are all the people who fall somewhere in between these two extremes.
Perhaps returning to nature and witnessing its wild abandon is freeing for the typical urban dweller, allowing her/him to think more in depth about an issue we take for granted in more "civilized" settings. The following story highlights my thoughts on answering Nature's call while hiking/backpacking:
Many years ago, while on a guided walking tour of Ephesus, we came upon the ruins of the public toilets. As we gazed at rows of seats lining the walls of a colossal outhouse, the guide informed us that that these public toilets were a popular place to discuss current events and politics...an informal forum.
I'm not saying that the act of relieving oneself should become an opportunity to socialize. But I do believe that we, as humans, should not be so guarded about this topic. Everyone does it. We all know that everyone does it. So why do we create so many contraptions and systems that damage the environment to hide the evidence?
3 comments:
doing #2 in the woods might be a little hard for me... i prefer my own porcelain place here at home in the city.
I understand this concern you have with the #2 issue. Of the two bodily functions, it's definitely the more challenging task. Some backpacking guidebooks go so far as to suggest not even bringing TP, instead using a scrap of moss or a pine cone. In the most dire situation, I might consider some moss, but a pine cone? WTF? Who is going to take care of business back there with a pine cone?
many people choose to use rocks (as a TP substitute)... rocks are nearly everywhere (with the exception of maybe backcountry excursions into large sand dunes). but i agree wholeheartedly that people should be more open to discourse surrounding such a natural thing - it's like the other half of our food cycle - we can talk about food before and during eating it, why can't we talk about it after? my brother and i are putting composting toilets in our new house: pdxlivingbuilding.com
Post a Comment