The camp Kharzi

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Zammo

Settler
Jul 29, 2006
927
2
48
London
Ok I realise this isn't the most pleasent of subjects but I was wondering how people go about setting up their camp loo.

At the moment I use an entrenching tool to dig a pit and then cover it over when i'm done. Plus burn the loo roll.


Sorry for the crudeness of the subject.
 

Toadflax

Native
Mar 26, 2007
1,783
5
64
Oxfordshire
Interesting question - I've just read two of Ray Mears' buschraft books and he never seems to mention the toilet.

I'm sure he must know of one or two natural toilet papers...maybe you weave a toilet roll from nettle fibres? (Sorry, Ray, no offence meant but I couldn't resist that one!).




Geoff
 

Eric_Methven

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 20, 2005
3,600
42
73
Durham City, County Durham
For solo camping, I usually carry it out in a wee plastic bag. If it's a well used area where ground contamination isn't a problem, I dig a hole and bury it, and burn the bog paper. For a communal camp, or a long term base camp, you can't beat a thunder box. That can be a porta potty, or an inverted wooden box with a hole cut in the lid, with a plastic bucket inside to catch the jobbys. A screen round the thunder box is useful as well for a bit of privacy. The bog roll can be kept on a pole stuck in the ground. A good way to protect it from the rain is to take a five litre plastic container, cut a square hole in the side, pop the bog roll inside and slide it and the bog roll over the stick. Then when you want to peel off a bit paper, you just put your hand in the hole and pull sufficient paper out to wipe your bits. The container covers the roll and will shed rainwater because it's upside down.

Eric
 

Eric_Methven

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 20, 2005
3,600
42
73
Durham City, County Durham
dgcalvert said:
Interesting question - I've just read two of Ray Mears' buschraft books and he never seems to mention the toilet.

I'm sure he must know of one or two natural toilet papers...maybe you weave a toilet roll from nettle fibres? (Sorry, Ray, no offence meant but I couldn't resist that one!).




Geoff

A pail of water with some vinegar added, and a sponge on a stick. People should have their own sponges (unless you are very close friends).

Eric
 

gregorach

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Sep 15, 2005
3,723
28
51
Edinburgh
Dig a hole (preferably at least 6" deep), "download", burn bog roll, fill hole.

If bog roll is in short supply, sphagnum moss works a treat. Wring it out first! ;)

There is a seminal book on the subject called "How to **** in the Woods: An Environmentally Sound Approach to a Lost Art", and the Scottish Moutaineering Council produce a leaflet called "Where to 'Go' in the Great Outdoors" which contains good advice.

It's a very important topic that should be covered more often. Just last week I was up in the Pentlands (near one of the resevoirs, no less) and made the unfortunate discovery that some previous vistor had been somewhat, shall we say, "inconsiderate". Unfortunately probably an uneducated Mears-wannabe, given the other available evidence... :(
 

Zammo

Settler
Jul 29, 2006
927
2
48
London
That leaflet is really insightfull. Instead of using an entrenching tool I might by a cheap trowel, to save on weight.

I recall that Lofty Wiseman also wrote a bit on the camp loo in the SAS Survival Guide.
 

Greg

Full Member
Jul 16, 2006
4,335
259
Pembrokeshire
If I am in the woods, I go off the beaten track for a shovel recce, find a fallen tree,dig a whole with a shovel, sit on said tree with my backside over the side above the hole (sometimes balancing very precariously!:rolleyes: ), carry out my mission, burn the used bog roll and fill in the hole. job done!

But like Eric said, for a long term location you can't beat a good old home made thunder box!!
I don't know about you Eric but I put a black bin liner in the bucket to catch the deposits, and it is all taken away at the end of the camp to be disposed of.
 

Eric_Methven

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 20, 2005
3,600
42
73
Durham City, County Durham
Greg said:
I don't know about you Eric but I put a black bin liner in the bucket to catch the deposits, and it is all taken away at the end of the camp to be disposed of.

Ah yes, forgot to mention that. At the first Loch Achray meet, I volunteerd the back of my Transit van with my porta potty for everyone to use. It wasn't until later I remembered I hadn't put the bin liner in, and it wasn't until I was on my way home, with the accumulated turds of thirty people swilling around in the porta potty that I remembered I hadn't put the plastic sealing lid on either. I drove most of the way home with my head out of the window.

Eric
 

Zammo

Settler
Jul 29, 2006
927
2
48
London
Eric_Methven said:
Ah yes, forgot to mention that. At the first Loch Achray meet, I volunteerd the back of my Transit van with my porta potty for everyone to use. It wasn't until later I remembered I hadn't put the bin liner in, and it wasn't until I was on my way home, with the accumulated turds of thirty people swilling around in the porta potty that I remembered I hadn't put the plastic sealing lid on either. I drove most of the way home with my head out of the window.

Eric


Errgghh thats disgusting. I bet you had fun mopping that lot up.
 
Apr 14, 2006
630
1
Jurassic Coast
Eric_Methven said:
For solo camping, I usually carry it out in a wee plastic bag. If it's a well used area where ground contamination isn't a problem, I dig a hole and bury it, and burn the bog paper. Eric

If you must bury plastic it is easy enough to find degradable 'plastic' bags nowadays. Likewise recycled bog roll breaks down easily and can be buried without the need to burn. Make sure the hole is deep enough that if someone steps on the 'buried treasure' it won't be exposed :eek:
 

Sickboy

Nomad
Sep 12, 2005
422
0
44
London
dgcalvert said:
Interesting question - I've just read two of Ray Mears' buschraft books and he never seems to mention the toilet.

I'm sure he must know of one or two natural toilet papers...maybe you weave a toilet roll from nettle fibres? (Sorry, Ray, no offence meant but I couldn't resist that one!).




Geoff

Sorry? I thought everybody knew, Ray's like the Queen, he/she doesnt have too :slap:
 

Jodie

Native
Aug 25, 2006
1,561
11
54
London
www.google.co.uk
Eric_Methven said:
Ah yes, forgot to mention that. At the first Loch Achray meet, I volunteerd the back of my Transit van with my porta potty for everyone to use. It wasn't until later I remembered I hadn't put the bin liner in, and it wasn't until I was on my way home, with the accumulated turds of thirty people swilling around in the porta potty that I remembered I hadn't put the plastic sealing lid on either. I drove most of the way home with my head out of the window.

Eric
:lmao: :lmao:
 

Grendel

Settler
Mar 20, 2011
762
1
Southampton
Sorry for the tread revival but only just joined and its interesting reading. Since this is one reason I have never done wild camping/bushcraft weekends since I prefer the luxury of somewhere to sit when I’m dropping a load. So it would appear pre planning is the best plan but otherwise dig a hole drop a log while sat on wood log then burry if using recycled paper or burn if using Andrex finest.
 

Badger90

Forager
Mar 17, 2011
149
0
Devon
A suitable hole with a seat of some description for a larger camp is acceptable, just be sure to move it around abit if it's used over long periods of time, it allows the waste to decompose. It's worth using a small chicken wire around the box if you're building one to allow air to get in without small rodents falling in( cut some 6" holes in either side, then cover with wire )

If you can't find a suitable box or seat, just balance, but be warned it can be precarious at times, i have a chilling memory of not checking my waste on excercise in my old army days, needless to say the warm item down by trouser leg wasn't welcome at all...
 

Kerne

Maker
Dec 16, 2007
1,766
21
Gloucestershire
I use the dig a 6" hole, burn the paper method but the thread reminded me of a story a builder friend told me:

Back in the days of Foot and Mouth his boss sent him and his team to work on a farm outbuilding. They had to dress up in the one-piece white paper hooded suits and walk their wellies through the disinfectant and all that. The building was in the middle of nowhere and when one of the team was caught short he was directed to the nearest hedgerow. After performing the task he returned to work but not long after everyone began to notice the strange smell emanating from him. Closer inspection revealed a still steaming turd nestling peacefully in the hood of his suit...
 

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