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[at-l] re: all this poop and pee...

a very similar question to sharon's was asked on pct-l, and i've reposted
my response here, edited to include some informative responses that i got.


>>>   how is human solid waste different from animal solid
waste?   <<<

i'm no scientist, and i don't pretend to know anything concrete in this
area, but this is what i think:

i think the potential for human disease is much more likely in human feces
than animal feces, simply because it comes from humans and may contain lots
of nasties that humans are particularly susceptible to.  there's not as
much disease that is transmitted from animals to humans via critters in
feces (there are the obvious ones, of course). 

the big factor is human waste in the backcountry is concentrated.  it is
easy to see the concentration in popular areas, but even on the most remote
trails, it is concentrated along that trail.  probably far more than animal
waste in the average acre of wilderness (or national forest, or whatever).
the least traveled human backpacking trail is still probably trod upon more
frequently by human feet than that average acre by animal feet.  (yeah, i
know animals have their paths too.  again i'm just speculating).  i suspect
this concentration is what leads to increased possibility of disease,
because you are more likely to find relatively "fresh" fecal matter along a
trail than way out in the backcountry.

so because human feces are so concentrated, we have to do everything
possible to a) completely hide that fact it is there, more importantly b)
make sure it doesn't contaminate water sources, and c) make sure it can
decompose and be rendered "harmless" as quickly as possible.  

that's the LNT way.  the other way obviously, are privies.  although
privies concentrate human feces, the idea is that they are located such
that water sources are protected, if not noses.

well there's a lot of speculation in this post.  evidence or opinion to the
contrary is welcome.



mike
ke kaahawe   AT92 TYT94 PCTsoon
mikeh@royalrobbins.com
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