Cat Hole Question

[Tim (Slowhike) Garner]

Since the mid 8Os I used the ol Coghlan’s orange trowel.

Only broke one, on a frozen hill side. I even resharpened one a time or two.

 

But as I’ve continued to lighten up, I got a Deuce of Spades and I like it.

 

I hear people talk about using their heel or a tent stake or whatever.

I know part of it is location but maybe I’m missing something.

 

I backpack in the mountains of western NC and Virginia and when I go into the woods to dig a hole, I try to find a somewhat open area, with as little vegetation as possible right where I’m going to dig.

Not always easy to do.

 

When I dig, with very little exception, there are a gazilion roots of all sizes.

I can work around the larger roots, but the bigger issue is the network of small roots, running in every direction, forming a matt that can be tough to dig through and then scoop the dirt out.

 

For years I have been using a stabbing motion, turning the trowel one way, then the other, both with the old trowel and now the Duece of Spades. Then scooping the dirt out.

It can be a chore getting a hole wide and deep enough.

 

Sometimes I see people return from their constitutional so soon that I’m like… ummmm. Did they just take a short cut?

 

I have not come across any discussion on this so I’m wondering if anyone else has that issue.

 

 

[Tim (Slowhike) Garner]

Something I did to cover the thin edges of the Spade. It’s not fixed so it can be used on either end.

I used a piece of deployed air bag but I’m sure a scrap of fabric used for pack making would work just as well.

[dirtbag]

I usually find my spot and dig my hole after my camp is set up.. before I actually have to go!! This way.. when its time to go.. i dont have to worry about digging that hole.. i can just get it done!! Plan ahead..

[Tim (Slowhike) Garner]

“dig my hole after my camp is set up.. before I actually have to go”

Yeah, I recently saw someone mention that and I plan to do it.

Good idea.

[Bruce Tolley]

I think you answered your own question:

“Sometimes I see people return from their constitutional so soon that I’m like… ummmm. Did they just take a short cut?”

Sometimes in the Sierra Nevada I have found that a shoe or tent stake will work.  But not always, depending on the soil/rock/root combination.  I use the Montbell cat hole tool.

[Axel J]

I am a heel guy who packs out the TP, mostly high Sierra and Los Padres. Scrape deep with my heel, do the deed, cover it with dirt sans TP then pack it all down to grade with my feet. I do have to admit, If I’m in really deep and alone, I do “no dig” and let the sun and insects digest the poop, some soils are very fragile so I hesitate digging into it. What is truly disgusting is half buried TP.

[Bill in Roswell]

Like Dirtbag, I pre-dig a hole for the sunrise run. I mark the area so I can easily find the hole. Sometimes an old rag bandana tied to a tree, or a few sticks propped in teepee style.

[Paul Wagner]

Now that I am doing a lot of trail crew work, I am always carrying a small shovel.  You’d be amazed how easy it is to use a shovel to dig a cathole.

Meanwhile, a six inch deep hole with your heel?  Photos, or it never happened.

[Todd T]

I think you answered your own question:

“Sometimes I see people return from their constitutional so soon that I’m like… ummmm. Did they just take a short cut?”

Yep.

Meanwhile, a six inch deep hole with your heel? Photos, or it never happened.

Yep.

I carry a Vargo Titanium Dig Dig trowel that I Plasti Dip’d for hand comfort.  The sawteeth do help a bit with the small roots.

[Dan]

Like you, I find it can be pretty time consuming to dig an appropriate hole in most of the terrain that I frequent, and I often need to try a few different locations before I’m able to dig a good hole. Also, I like to dig a hole FAR away from my campsite, just in case someone else wants to use the good site again in the future. So digging it in advance isn’t very practical. In fact, sometimes I will pack up and hike for a while before digging a hole. There’s nothing worse than finding someone else’s cat-hole near a campsite, and I don’t want to ruin someone else’s experience. Even when you are off-trail, you’d be surprised how often people camp in the same areas.

[Rob]

Those of you that dig your cathole the night before must have the constitution of Sheldon Cooper.  There is no way I can predict that I will have to drop a deuce before I am ready to hit the trail.

[Paul Wagner]

 

 

What can I say?  I’m just a regular guy…

[Tim (Slowhike) Garner]

“What can I say?  I’m just a regular guy…”

LOL :~)

[bradmacmt]

I found the Deuce Of Spades uncomfortable in the hand. I switched to this model, far more comfortable, and has a saw edge for branches.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/648965661/ultralight-backpacking-trowel-048-ounce?ref=yr_purchases

[dirtbag]

Lol. Well I usually try to camp in areas where no one else has been.. Try to at least. I also dig my hole further away from my camp then you may think..  and even if I end up NOT having to use it..  Never know if/when may need to go.. So at least its ready IF I do need to go.

[Sam Farrington]

Never knew this was such an issue.  Have carried one of those all plastic spades forever, and have no idea who makes (made?) them.

Would never try to dig a hole anywhere near the tent site because the ground is often used by others and is hard. It takes a bit of walking around to find virgin ground.  And don’t poop that often.  The ground around large berry patches would be great, if not already staked out by bears.

So diet may have a lot to do with frequent urgency.  Does for me, anyway, even when hiking all day, if the food is not easily tolerated.  So diet is the key, with carefully prepared and packaged meals put up well before the hike.  Like Uncle Ben’s quick rice, or mini elbow pasta, which comes both gluten and gluten free.  Meat is limited to freeze dried turkey, mixed with the pasta.  Then a lot of simmering.  Some carefully selected dry condiments that experience has shown agree with me, go in the pot later when the pasta and meat are fully cooked.  Many supermarkets carry a section of dry bagged meals, such as Knorr or Ronzoni and others.  Instant Breakfast mixed with a bit of the best instant coffee, is plenty in the AM.  Lunch is an energy bar, that the supermarkets stock in numerous varieties.  And  always acclimate with new stuff beforehand to screen out any intolerances.

So for me it is the food, carefully selected and prebagged in amounts sufficient to provide energy for light backpacking and easy prep, that is key to regularity and hassle free waste disposal every couple of days.  Agree with leaving TP nowhere it can be unearthed by critters; but a deep hole and plenty of tamping has worked OK.  Since I don’t backpack with groups, garbage disposal is not a major issue.

Granted, connoisseurs of haute cuisine would not approve.

[Adrian Griffin]

Yes, the Bolger, as recommended by bradmacmt works well. I used a dished tent stake for a few years, but the Bolger digs easier. All are much lighter than the Cochlan’s orange trowel.

[Daryl and Daryl]

Worst advice I’ve seen on this topic was a video showing fir cones being used as toilet paper and then throwing the shxx covered cones on the ground.

A well covered cat hole isn’t going to protect the next visitor from those s covered fir cones.  Yuk.  At least toilet paper is visible enough to alert me to the mine field.

[Jeff McWilliams]

The Bogler trowel for the win.  I was an early adopter of the Deuce, but once I found the Bogler I haven’t looked back.

I am definitely in the camp of: a six inch deep hole with your heel? Photos, or it never happened.

 

[bradmacmt]

Yes, the Bolger, as recommended by bradmacmt works well. I used a dished tent stake for a few years, but the Bolger digs easier. All are much lighter than the Cochlan’s orange trowel.

Back in the 70’s I started with one of the plastic trowels. First a red one, then sometime in the late 90’s or so went to the Coghlan’s orange model. Used it for another decade until I searched for something lighter. Like you, I used a shortened, swiss-cheesed dished tent stake, but ultimately settled on the Bolger. A really brilliant piece of kit.

[Adrian Griffin]

As for wiping, get a CuloClean. Works much better than toilet paper and nothing’s left behind. You’ll never go back to TP.

[Murali C]

When using CuloClean – do you have to use hands to make sure you are all clean or just the squirts of water? If using hands, do you use proper soap after or just hand sanitizer after cleaning hands with water?

[Jeffrey H]

I definitely have had the same problem @Tim Garner and am definitely going to have to start pre digging the way dirtbag suggested. That’s brilliant.

Maruali C, it seems like in one of the courses (I think it may be trek planning) Ryan Jordan goes in depth on the portable bidet. There was definitely more to it that just rinsing but I don’t recall the details. Lot’s of hand sanitizer and a fingernail brush are part of it from what I can recall. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.

[Adrian Griffin]

This is my procedure for the CuloClean. Dig a main cathole and a second smaller cathole. Gather some smooth stones or 3-inch pieces of smooth stick. Defecate into the main cathole. Wipe with the stones and put them in the second cathole. Then rinse with the CuloClean. If a final touch-up with fingers is needed, use some hand san.

[Mart]

“There’s nothing worse than finding someone else’s cat-hole near a campsite,…”

Or ANYWHERE!

Do any of y’all mark your cat hole to prevent this? Once I’ve finished, I jam a stick into the filled cathole so that it sticks straight up. It may not be “Leave No Trace” but it’s thoughtful.

[Author]

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