Sitting Pretty

On our last trip to Sequoia/Kings Canyon (SEKI) we visited a few lakes that get a little more traffic than is usual in the backcountry.  Every area deals with this in a different way, since that additional traffic has three major impacts on the wilderness experience. One of those is the toilet facilities.  Too many backpackers can have a very ugly impact on a heavily used campsite area.  So in a few places in the backcountry, you'll find a vault toilet.  It's not exactly our idea of wilderness, but we understand the problem, and we don't have a better solution.

We were particularly taken with a toilet at Twin Lakes in SEKI.  It was certainly not your traditional vault toilet, and M was quite sure she we never find it easy to use...but still; nice effort.  Two walls, only, and only about waist high. And a lovely view from the throne. 

photos on our blog, at backpackthesierra.com

It's good being the king!

;-)

And where was this spectacular shot taken?

There are modern versions of composting toilets being installed in many places in the Canadian parks. The nicest ones look very much like a throne, with a low back, and arms to block the views from the sides. They sit back in the bush, and allow for a contemplative moment enjoying the scenery.

No water, and quite sanitary, but I don't think any have the views that Big Red's does.

(PS: My wife would KILL me if I ever posted a shot like that of her, but it sure says a lot about the location and about the moment.)

That is the "utedo" (outhouse) at a hut called Tåkeheim (Home of the Fog) in the Helgeland region of Norway. A choice place to take a dump, at least when the weather is nice!

peter1955 said:

There are modern versions of composting toilets being installed in many places in the Canadian parks. The nicest ones look very much like a throne, with a low back, and arms to block the views from the sides. They sit back in the bush, and allow for a contemplative moment enjoying the scenery.

No water, and quite sanitary, but I don't think any have the views that Big Red's does.

(PS: My wife would KILL me if I ever posted a shot like that of her, but it sure says a lot about the location and about the moment.)

 Ditto on the PS.  no question.

funny stuff guys!

i hate all the backcountry toilets around here. especially in summer. blah

but I've yet to find anywhere in my local mountains that a person could not dig a hole with a little effort.

Yea the ones up here are pretty gross. Why would they make them white all the way down. A darker color would lessen the yuk factor quite a bit.

Big red, I knew it was Norway! I zoomed the photo and saw a troll on the far snowfield! LOL. You know, I remember using one of those wilderness vaults in the BWCA years ago. It was better than digging a hole that's for sure.

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