Last Updated on December 28, 2018 by mountainswithmegan

Most beginner backpackers are grossed out by the idea of packing out their toilet paper, and that’s OK. But it’s an important thing to do in order to preserve our wilderness. Occasionally, you might see bits of toilet paper off to the side of the trail. How gross would it be if every hiker was that careless with their TP?
If you are burying your toilet paper, it still takes a long time to decompose, especially if you are hiking in a dry climate. Packing out TP isn’t really that bad once you get used to it. Even if you are an experienced outdoors woman who has been burying your TP for years, it’s never too late to change your ways.
What You Need:
- 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. I have met plenty of hikers who don’t use hand sanitizer after they do their business (or at all, for that matter). You don’t want to ingest germs or pass them on to other people, so get yourself a mini bottle of the stuff. And on that note, don’t let other hikers touch your food. You never know if someone cleans their hands or not.
- You will also need a digging mechanism. Plenty of people scoff at the idea of carrying a trowel just for the purpose of pooping. You can use your foot to dig, you can use a trekking pole or tent stake or a stick. Lately, I’ve heard other backpackers raving about a new trowel on the market, Deuce of Spades. It only weighs .6 ounces and it can double as a tent stake. It also comes in cool colors. I haven’t tried it myself, but I have heard great reviews. It’s something to consider to make the digging easier.
- I prefer baby wipes over toilet paper. I think that baby wipes make you cleaner, and since they’re damp they are more efficient than toilet paper. You don’t have to use as many! Plus, they are multi-functional. I use them to clean my Diva Cup during that time of the month, and I use them to wipe down my face and armpits when I get too smelly and dirty.
- Finally, I have a bivvy sack to keep all of the bathroom necessities in one place. Sometimes nature calls quickly, and I don’t like having to spend the extra time digging around my pack looking for everything I need. Plus, it’s a good way to keep your TP Ziploc from touching your other stuff.
Where To Go:
- Follow the 200 feet rule. Make sure you are 200 feet away from the water source, from the trail, and from the campsite.
- If you are new to pooping in the woods, find a tree to lean against. If you’re scared of someone spotting you, you can also hide behind a big tree.
- Make sure your cat-hole is 6 inches deep. Sometimes emergencies happen and you can’t dig the hole in time. Dig it afterwards and use a stick to scoot your poop in. I know it’s weird, but it’s better than dancing around while trying to dig a hole.
- Once you are done, just fill the hole back in with dirt. Some people like to make an X with sticks so no one digs the spot up. It seems unlikely that anyone will dig in the same spot twice, so it’s really up to you.
Tampons and Diva Cups:
- Yes, you also need to pack our your tampons.
- Or you could just use a menstrual cup. You only have to change it every 12 hours. To dispose of the blood, dig a six inch cat-hole and dump it in. It’s also a good idea to dump a little water on top to dilute it.
Alternatives:
- Use a pee rag for when you have to pee. It reduces the amount of TP you have to carry.
- Some backpackers like to use leaves, snow, or smooth rocks in lieu of TP. If you haven’t done it before, I would bring some TP along just in case. I haven’t mastered this method, so I usually end up using a baby wipe in addition to my leaves. Even if you are not 100% on board with this method, give it a try and you will still cut down on the amount of TP you have to pack out. And you can just throw your leaves and rocks into the cat-hole and bury them when you’re done.
Packing out your TP isn’t really that scary. Plus, you will really feel like you are doing all you can to preserve the environment.
Current LNT ethics dictates that after you have pooped, you use a handy stick to stir up the feces with dirt in the bottom of the cathole (promotes speedier biodegradation), backfill the hole, then poke the stick into the ground over the hole, leaving it pointing to the sky as a warning for future cathole diggers.
TicTac
Just a thought….When my son was deployed we mailed Ziploc bags because they didn’t have flush toilets. If our soldiers can bag their toilet paper why can’t we….just asking…….
Portable bidets are inexpensive, super lightweight and don’t take up a lot of space in your backpack. Using a bidet cuts down significantly on the use of toilet paper and adds water to your cat hole. I put a little baking soda in the water in it for a little added freshness. Tips: Practice using it before you hit the trail so that you can control the spray and don’t end up with wet pants. For the sake of hygiene, the bidet tip (or any other part of it for that matter) should not touch any unsanitary surface…and you know what I mean.
When I am getting a little ripe- baby wipes don’t even cut it. I love Defense wipes- they smell like a forest and are bigger than a standard baby wipe. Another thought- for wiping after going # 2- try using preparation H wipes. They have witch hazel in them and reduce any swelling or inflammation going on back there!
If I have to pee I stand up by using a Freshette, that I got at Rei for under $20. It’s easy to clean (if I can I rinse it with water), and most importantly I can go quick without even taking my pack off, without taking off any articles of clothing. I take it on hikes and I take it anywhere I might need to use a porter potty as well as it is much more sanitary and quick.
I bring some of the biodegradable bags used to pick up after dogs for my toilet paper. Put your hand in the bag, pick up the paper, pull the bag inside out and tie it off at the top. Then put it with the rest of the trash.
I use this method as well. I fill/prepare each bag with clean t.p./wipees/toiletries to hole site. With the bag over my hand I hold t.p. to clean myself, then I turn the bag over the soiled t.p., compress and tie off.
[…] always, packing out toilet paper and tampons is important as well as going 200 feet off trail to […]
Great post! I will surely share this soon!
thanks for the excellent article …so important to discuss!!
at night …food is well away in a bear can, ones tent is free of scented items but where do you store ones “bagged used toilet paper” so animals and bears etc don’t get into it??
Thanks
I usually just keep it in my backpack. However, if I was going to hike in grizzly country I would probably store it in a bear can.
What about black bear country?
Any comments on a good bivvy sack (for peebella, wipes bags etc) to use while backpacking? I was thinking of a small crossbody bag worn in front?in front
Ranger confidential by Andrea Lankford makes excellent toilet paper