Porta potti or what?

[wingysataday]

So My wife would like to have a toilet of some sort and I was thinking a porta potti would be a sweat deal because they are like $20 on craigslist all day.
Questions:
How do they work?
Can I just dig a hole in the woods when the potti gets full or when I am packing up, and dump the poo in a hole?
Is there a better option?

 

[BIGdaddy]

luggable loo or pett toilet. Check out Sierra expeditions for a toilet and shelter.

They use what are called "Wag" bags, that serve as a "deposit device" and when full, can be rolled up into their own attached container bag and tossed in a forest service trash can. Once in the landfill these bags bio-degrade and compost into soil/fertilizer.

Pretty cool.

This type of packing out is now required in a lot of California's back country due to the increase number of nice folks leaving their "deposits" in popular area's. one cat hole is fine, but 20 around the same lake, waterfall, hiking trailhead, etc, becomes a BioHazard/cleanliness issue.


Personally we use the luggable loo, and carry kitty litter, TP and 3-4 bags per trip. We use the kitty litter for deoderizing, and to help hold our awesome walmart privvy shelter in high winds. It has completely changed my wife's perception of being "outback" and feels good to be acting as good stewards of the land.

Cheers!

 

[Vince1]

^^ x2 Pett ($99 amazon) with wag bags and extra poo powder. We use it in the Cabelas shower shelter...feels like home!

 

[Jeff Wanamog]

But to answer your question, you should never dump your potty in the wilderness. That is what they use to close areas of the Rubicon and other areas. Take it home and dump it or stop at a dump station.
Jeff

 

[Deleted member 9101]

Bolt a toilet seat to a 5 gallon bucket, and use small trash bags with kitty litter in them. When you are not using it, the box of garbage bags and tons of toilet paper and hand sanitizer fit in the bucket.

No need to spend 100.00+ on a 25.00 problem. :victory:

 

[wingysataday]

I have this http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...s&Ntt=shower&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products

and a luggable loo set up as well. I have used it but I want some bags that are better than plastic and maybe a some deodorizer(I guess kitty litter will do?)

 

[FurthurOnTheFly]

We have the PETT and its great. More expensive than pooping in a bucket? Sure, but it packs smaller and the Wag Bag kits for it are great. Very convenient. We had an old ammo can mounted to our roof rack and the bags just went in there until we could properly dispose of them.

Not to mention it can double as an end table if you dare. :sombrero:

 

[BIGdaddy]

The wag bags fit the luggable loo, too. Cost for the "Loo" is about $15-20.00.

 

[XJBANKER]

Use a wag bag, then stick it in a Trasharoo so it does not have to be in the car and throw it away when you get to a dumpster.

 

[greentruck]

We went with a PETT with the WAG bags. Works great...

First time we used it, we were at a camp for like tree days. It was a little unclear how many "deposits" were recommended with each WAG. So we just kept right on "checking in" on the same bag. Only when it came time to break camp did it become clear we were probably somewhat above a reasonable number of fills.
:Wow1:

Oh well, we still managed to tie it off and haul it to proper disposal without a hazmat incident

You don't need to change it after every use, but you should be careful not to overdo it.

 

[BIGdaddy]

We went with a PETT with the WAG bags. Works great...

First time we used it, we were at a camp for like tree days. It was a little unclear how many "deposits" were recommended with each WAG. So we just kept right on "checking in" on the same bag. Only when it came time to break camp did it become clear we were probably somewhat above a reasonable number of fills.
:Wow1:

Oh well, we still managed to tie it off and haul it to proper disposal without a hazmat incident

You don't need to change it after every use, but you should be careful not to overdo it.

x2

Our family of 5 usually goes through about 4 or 5 during a 2-3 day trip. If needed one can just use a normal small trash can bag, or even a double bagged grocery bag in a pinch. (pun intended)

 

[NuggetHoarder]

The bags are very expensive. If you want to save some money, dig a slit latrine and do it right. If you do it correctly, no one will ever know it's there and it isn't going to harm anyone and there won't be any bad smells lingering around.

You can find lots of info about slit latrines on the internet. Here's a start - the Hippie's guide to crapping in the woods....

Pick the first link on this page... http://www.welcomehome.org/rainbow/tech/

Learn to dig them correctly and don't skip on the lime or ash covering material or you'll have a fly problem in short order.

You can use a regular toilet seat propped up on rocks, logs or use lumber if you want to. You don't have to use a 5 gallon bucket or a special toilet seat or any other special gadgets or expensive toilet "systems".

Here's what I do: For nighttime use and for short stops I have a 5 gallon bucket with a toilet seat mounted on it and trash bags inside. Whenever I set up for more than one night's stay, I'll dig a slit latrine a pretty good distance from camp and use that as the main crapper, and I'll still keep the 5 gallon bucket inside the vestibule of the tent in case the call of nature comes at 4am. Saves the women folk from having to put their boots on to pee.

 

[JPK]

I think we'd all be avoiding the hassle of toting waste if it were legal or, in some locations, appropriate to leave it, but the number of areas where it isn't legal is growing so is the number of places where its just not appropriate.

I think 5 gal buckets are worth their weight in gold for many uses, and I alsways have one around. So, it also get duty as the recepticle, lined with a bag. I recently "upgraded" and bought a cheap snap on toilet seat for it. Almost like my "library" at home!

JPK

 

[DrMoab]

I don't know why anyone would spend $100 on PETT toilet.

I bought one from Wal-Mart for less than $30. It uses the same bags and it's been out on the trail with me for a couple of years. It's never given me a minutes trouble.

The Hippies guide to crapping in the woods? Sorry but I've seen the aftermath of big hippy parties (Rainbow People and the like) and I would never go that route. The term "dirty hippy" was invented for a reason.

 

[craig333]

A slit trench is fine is some places, mainly those that don't see a lot of traffic. Doesn't work at all in areas like the Rubicon. It wasn't that people wouldn't bury their poop, you can't. Its solid granite. No place to dig a hole.

I use the porta potty in the camper, wag bags in the jeep (plus a nifty cardboard thing that folds up into a toilet, holds 250lbs).