View Full Version : Toiletpaper in winter
When going to toilet in the woods in the summer time you can always use leaves or moss. But in winter time the leaves has fallen off and the moss is buried under snow.
This weeking I walked on a trail near my parents home. The 2nd day I had to go, but I had forgot to bring toiletpaper. But I remember reading about making snowballs to use as toiletpaper in a book by Lars Fält. Better to use snowballs then not wiping my ass at all I thought. So after making a couple of snowballs I did what i had to do and after I sued the snowballs to wipe my ass. Surprisingly it worked great!!!
The snowballs works best when are shaped as a drop.
Thanks for that candid, clear post! :-D
Did the snow feel, well, very cold? :shock:
Thanks for that candid, clear post! :-D
Did the snow feel, well, very cold? :shock:
No it didn´t :-D
This would probably go along well with this thread
http://www.bushcraftuk.co.uk/community/viewtopic.php?t=221
Keith_Beef
11-01-2004, 21:39
You know, there are some trees that keep their leaves al year round.
Kristtorn, for example...
;)
Keith.
You know, there are some trees that keep their leaves al year round.
Kristtorn, for example...
;)
Keith.
Not over here, we got most pine and spruce and a lot of snow for the moment =)
Good post Viking..never thought of that !
*note to self.....never eat brown snow :lol:
Justin Time
12-01-2004, 08:44
You know, there are some trees that keep their leaves al year round.
Kristtorn, for example...
;)
Keith.
Ahh.. Ilex aquifolium
Nice.... maybe a bit too shiny though?
Justin
Ilex aquifolium........OUCH!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! :yikes:
Ah yes, that classic of wilderness literature: 'Ilex aquifolium: its role in personal hygiene' by R. Stornaway
bigjackbrass
12-01-2004, 19:15
But I remember reading about making snowballs to use as toiletpaper in a book by Lars Fält.
Makes me awfully glad that I didn't challenge Herr Falt to a snowball fight...
Viking - don't suppose you've ever seen any of Lars' books in English have you? I did a course with him last year - good bloke!
Steffan
:shock: :shock: :shock:
But I remember reading about making snowballs to use as toiletpaper in a book by Lars Fält.
Makes me awfully glad that I didn't challenge Herr Falt to a snowball fight...
Viking - don't suppose you've ever seen any of Lars' books in English have you? I did a course with him last year - good bloke!
Steffan
All of his books are in swedish, wich is kind of sad because is books are really great.
Met Lars on one day course last year and even got his latest book signed =)
Justin Time
13-01-2004, 08:30
Ah yes, that classic of wilderness literature: 'Ilex aquifolium: its role in personal hygiene' by R. Stornaway
LOL, Very good Doc...Piles of useful information in that book. Perhaps we could start another thread about such useful books?
Justin
That's what the library is for :biggthump
Ah yes, that classic of wilderness literature: 'Ilex aquifolium: its role in personal hygiene' by R. Stornaway
Incredibly
Shredded
Backside
Now
Ilex aquifolium........OUCH!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! :yikes:
It's a hard man that wipes his bum with Holly !! :yikes:
Another tip- along the same vein :
'Watch out where them Huskies go - do eat that yellow snow@
as sung by Frank Zappa - was he into bushcraft too?
jeremy
www.islaybirding.co.uk
larry the spark
15-01-2004, 11:58
Great tune Jeremy! Zappa's tha man!
I tried the snowball trick this weekend (well, we gotta make the most of the snow when we see it!!!! :-D ) and, well, yes, it works and nothing like what you'd expect.
I told you so, making snow balls is a perfect way to wash your hands also.
Yes, I found that to be the case too. :-D
I told you so, making snow balls is a perfect way to wash your hands also.
Freds Dad
30-10-2006, 20:19
Due to global warming, it no longer snows in Suffolk UK so I will have to keep using spagnum moss But...being a good scout and prepared i take a quarter of a bog roll with me in my pack.
In winter (when there is snow) I first use boughs, preferring conifers over birch. After that I clean up with snow.
If there is no trees I use snow only.
I never carry toilet paper.
dommyracer
30-10-2006, 21:04
I never carry toilet paper.
You're a very brave man...
Eric_Methven
30-10-2006, 22:06
I came across a brown smeared £20 note on a hike once. I pondered for a good three seconds on whether or not I should pick it up. I did pick it up and washed it in a nearby stream. It was dry by the time I got to the pub. The look on the landlord's face was amusing but he didn't say anything.
Eric
Spikey DaPikey
30-10-2006, 23:57
I came across a brown smeared £20 note on a hike once. I pondered for a good three seconds on whether or not I should pick it up. I did pick it up and washed it in a nearby stream. It was dry by the time I got to the pub. The look on the landlord's face was amusing but he didn't say anything.
Eric
Where's there's muck there's money :p :lmao:
I came across a brown smeared £20 note on a hike once. I pondered for a good three seconds on whether or not I should pick it up. I did pick it up and washed it in a nearby stream. It was dry by the time I got to the pub. The look on the landlord's face was amusing but he didn't say anything.
Eric
:lmao: :lmao:
The best one I have read in ages!! :lmao:
Due to global warming, it no longer snows in Suffolk UK so I will have to keep using spagnum moss But...being a good scout and prepared i take a quarter of a bog roll with me in my pack.
it's the same in the netherlands. where ten years ago there was a blizzard raging outside by this time, it's now 17 degrees C. with sun, smog and rain :(
Anyway, about toiletpaper. a thing I heard seems to work excellent is to use nicely rounded pebbles found near a creek. or anywhere else for that matter. but when you think about it. why would you use the pebbles if you have a creek? well.. thought I should post it though :)
bambodoggy
31-10-2006, 09:06
I use moss too.
Don't forget people that moss takes rather a long time to grow and ripping it up and using it as loo paper is extreamly damaging....in this land of over population it's much better to remember to carry a little loo paper with you and to burn it after use.
Also suggestions of cleaning up in the creek aren't too good....others might be relying on that creak further down for clean water for their livestock and you're infecting it.
All No.2's shoud ideally be done over 100m from a water course and really should also be buried.
Look after what's left of our outdoors all we'll all end up bushcrafting in waders ;)
Cheers,
Bam. :)
And there you're absolutely right. it's nice to get some feedback on your thoughts and realise that what you thought was a good thing to do is not always. So.. going for the pebbles next time :)
p.s. sorry to the folks down stream! won't do it anymore
bambodoggy
31-10-2006, 09:37
No worries Mate..... :)
Another method, sit and wait for the klingons to freeze, then simply flick them off!! :eek:
hammock monkey
31-10-2006, 13:19
reminds me of that clip taken from 'one man and his dog': the old boy's chatting about the days events while his dog scoots along the ground past him with a look of relief on his face. think its a great way to get the job done, just check the run first...
Burnt Ash
31-10-2006, 14:57
Also suggestions of cleaning up in the creek aren't too good....others might be relying on that creak further down for clean water for their livestock and you're infecting it.
All No.2's shoud ideally be done over 100m from a water course and really should also be buried.
Just like all the bears, coyotes, foxes, badgers, mink, otters, deer, moles, voles, rats, geese, ducks, chuckawallas, etc., etc. ? They're all out there with their little folding spades, buryin their do-dos well away from water courses. Seen em do it! ;)
Burnt Ash
They're following their instinct......we're supposed to be able to apply intelligence........ :rolleyes:
Just like all the bears, coyotes, foxes, badgers, mink, otters, deer, moles, voles, rats, geese, ducks, chuckawallas, etc., etc. ? They're all out there with their little folding spades, buryin their do-dos well away from water courses. Seen em do it! ;)
Burnt Ash
Of course not, but for some reason humans tend to carry pathogens that are particularly good at attacking humans. It's been reckoned that most of the Beaver Feaver (Giardiasis) to be found in the "pristine" waters out here (and we have quite a lot of it in our mountains) didn't come from the wildlife but from wilderness users who were sloppy with their hygene.
Another method, sit and wait for the klingons to freeze, then simply flick them off!! :eek:
:lmao: then you must have a smooth bottom ;)
bambodoggy
01-11-2006, 21:00
Many thanks Falcon and Voivode, you've saved me an answer :)
Burnt Ash, the other reason is that it's never nice scooping up a billy of water for your tea and finding pink toilet paper floating in it :eek: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:
RobertRogers
12-12-2006, 16:47
Yeah, be careful with any water source. I've seen things like old food washed from dishes right into the only available water source. People are often dumber than the dumbest animals, you may even find human feces right next to your source of water. Always treat water or use a filter. SODIS (http://www.survivaltopics.com/water/solar-water-disinfection) works pretty good too if you have to treat very much water and you are going to be in one area for extended period of time.
I've heard tell of applying a smear of vaseline "prior to exit" does the trick. Your No.2 just shoots out without a trace. A sort of "look mum no hands" type of solution. Never tried it though. It's a Royal Marines thing apparantly. Joker can you confirm?
RobertRogers
12-12-2006, 17:06
Wow Rod, the vaseline method might be excellent. Here where I live it is often -20 degree F (do not know what that is in Celcius degrees) but it is cold enough. When you have your layers of wool down around your ankles you do not want to spend any more time than you have to wiping up.
Also, during mosquito and black fly season, I want to do the deed and get those pants up as quickly as possible!
dommyracer
12-12-2006, 17:12
I've heard tell of applying a smear of vaseline "prior to exit" does the trick. Your No.2 just shoots out without a trace. A sort of "look mum no hands" type of solution. Never tried it though. It's a Royal Marines thing apparantly. Joker can you confirm?
It works. Doesn't always totally preclude the wiping, but definitely decreases the amount you have to do.
It also prevents the terrible chafing affliction known as 'Japanese Flag' - not so much of a problem in a cold climate as in a hot one though
Is there a natural alternative to Vaseline?
I would feel dirty regardless, when using that method. I would at least test how clean it was with some snow.
And also, a general point, remember a true wilderness diet will contain a lot fibre and should slip through easily, leaving virtually no trace. With meat, remember to eat a lot of sinew and cartilage, not only the fine parts.
In addition I now recall you may need "one slice to wipe and one slice to polish" ;)
dommyracer
12-12-2006, 19:09
There's another squaddie trick I've heard of which uses one sheet - you tear the corner off a single sheet and put this to one side for later.
You stick your finger through the middle of the sheet and sort out what you need to, pull the sheet back off your finger then use the corner to clean off the fingernail.
Nice.
Spikey DaPikey
13-12-2006, 10:42
As me and some mates are camping out over new years, this thread may come in handy !!
Saying that, i've blagged about fifty paper bags, so we can bury the scat, and put the used loo roll in a bag, then lob it on the fire :)
Snowballs, smooth pebbles, moss, sod that lads, I'm an Andrex man
As for other animals then human ones, my cat always digs a hole to **** in, and then covers it all up! She's very intelligent...
I never **** in a toilet (don't have one) and always do it outside. I do use toilet paper though, and burn it directly after use. I just dig a hole, ****, and fill it up... but many times you can see lots of **** just lying around in that corner of the garden lol :lmao:
It's crazy though how fast it decomposes in summer. In just a week it's gone when burried around 10cm deep. But in winter it doesn't go away :p
Snowballs, smooth pebbles, moss, sod that lads, I'm an Andrex manMe too! But I have no idea how they get the puppy clean afterwards. :eek:
You know, there are some trees that keep their leaves al year round.
Kristtorn, for example...
;)
Keith.
Yes, but you still can throw the snowballs afterward!
huntersforge
27-12-2006, 20:59
Where i am there is a lot of sphagnum moss which is the business, when you squeeze the water out it washes , wipes and almost dries all in one .
When you grab a handful its always good to make sure its clear of pine needles before you do the deed :eek:
Ilex aquifolium........OUCH!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! :yikes:
When I heard kristtorn (holly I think), this fella described my feelings very well.
Pine or spruce boughs are servicable, will cut down the need for prolonged wiping with snow. And... you can build a shelter with them afterwards! :headbang:
I usually just try n keep it in until i get home, however, this is not an option on long trips (as you all know). When i do, i get a good fire going, poop into a bag, use the same bag to wipe my ass :headbang: , then throw it straight onto the fire, which in turn boils my tea water :D:D:D:D. I never use a poo-fire for cooking food though.
Where i am there is a lot of sphagnum moss which is the business, when you squeeze the water out it washes , wipes and almost dries all in one .You look down see a nice patch of moss, drop off the payload and go to grab the moss when you realise its growing on a cowpat. :eek:
I carry small packets of kleenex in my jacket pockets, they can do a really good scrape off job, plus a couple of wipes from KFC to clean my hands up afterwards :yuck:
When going to toilet in the woods in the summer time you can always use leaves or moss. But in winter time the leaves has fallen off and the moss is buried under snow.
This weeking I walked on a trail near my parents home. The 2nd day I had to go, but I had forgot to bring toiletpaper. But I remember reading about making snowballs to use as toiletpaper in a book by Lars Fält. Better to use snowballs then not wiping my ass at all I thought. So after making a couple of snowballs I did what i had to do and after I sued the snowballs to wipe my ass. Surprisingly it worked great!!!
The snowballs works best when are shaped as a drop.
I bet you looked twice at the snowball before actually using it!
Must of been like using wet & dry:lmao: :lmao:
Matt Weir
19-02-2007, 23:44
Bam, how deep do you recommend said potty to be dug?
Matt.
Don't forget people that moss takes rather a long time to grow and ripping it up and using it as loo paper is extreamly damaging....in this land of over population it's much better to remember to carry a little loo paper with you and to burn it after use.
Also suggestions of cleaning up in the creek aren't too good....others might be relying on that creak further down for clean water for their livestock and you're infecting it.
All No.2's shoud ideally be done over 100m from a water course and really should also be buried.
Look after what's left of our outdoors all we'll all end up bushcrafting in waders ;)
Cheers,
Bam. :)
bambodoggy
20-02-2007, 12:45
It depends whether it's just for that one occation or whether it's for a longer stay, also how many are in your party and what the ground is made of.
As a general rule of thumb if it's a one off and I'm on my own I try to dig 7" down to ensure it is burried and stays that way, much shallower and you risk animals digging it up and flies landing on it that may then come and land on your food and much deeper and you are below the level where most natural enzymes that break down the stool live.
With a group of people I might double or even triple that depth and then ensure each users puts a handful or two of soil back in the hole to cover their.......offering ;) which helps to reduce any nasty niffs :lmao:
Hope that helps,
Bam. :D
"I came across a brown smeared £20 note on a hike once"
Must have been some millionaire bank managers out in the woods a few days before.
bushtank
21-02-2007, 21:48
the best way i find to do the clean up is to drag your rear across some moss like a dog with worms lol . like the song goes
what should you do if you want to have a poo in an english country garden.
you pull down your pants and you fertilize the ants in an english country garden.
you pick up a leaf and you wipe your underneath in an english country garden.
you pick up a spade and you bury what you made in an english country garden.
:lmao: :lmao: i do take klennex really :D
billycan
21-02-2007, 22:22
Matt,
adding to what Bam said, usually if your digging a group dunny you should dig it down to where the soil changes significantly i.e a pure soil layer without humus etc. This depends on the soil type and location, but sometimes it will only be a foot under the surface. If you dig below this layer you are going beyond the zone that contains the natural bacteria which will help break down the faeces.
In many books they say dig down 2 or 3 feet in all situations but this is not correct.
Floyd Soul
21-02-2007, 22:34
I've never thought twice about it really. Just dig a hole and your off!
This may be of some help to some folks however :lmao:
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0898156270.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZ Z_.jpg
billycan
21-02-2007, 22:37
Got it! quite useful, avialble cheaply from amazon
pierre girard
21-02-2007, 22:53
When going to toilet in the woods in the summer time you can always use leaves or moss. But in winter time the leaves has fallen off and the moss is buried under snow.
This weeking I walked on a trail near my parents home. The 2nd day I had to go, but I had forgot to bring toiletpaper. But I remember reading about making snowballs to use as toiletpaper in a book by Lars Fält. Better to use snowballs then not wiping my ass at all I thought. So after making a couple of snowballs I did what i had to do and after I sued the snowballs to wipe my ass. Surprisingly it worked great!!!
The snowballs works best when are shaped as a drop.
Works well enough down to about 0 degrees F. Can be a survival issue if it is colder.
Works well enough down to about 0 degrees F. Can be a survival issue if it is colder.
May I ask what your ancestors used in winter? Would be intresting to know, it is rarely covered by ethnography. :D