I hate Porta Potties

[HoosierGiant]

For those of you peeing in the woods, alls I can say is -- my sister once got poison ivy that way. Make sure you know what you're squatting in.

Been there, done that. Used it for toilet paper during a 22-mile training run. Had already used the TP I kept stashed in my hat -- the leaves were NOT a good substitute! Still had 10 miles to go, it was 90 degrees and humid, and I made the mistake of wiping sweat off my face. The oil from the poison ivy spread everywhere. Covered from head to toe. In my ears, in my eyes, my lips were a blistered disgusting mess -- absolutely the worst thing I've ever experienced... and I'd still rather rely on trees, bushes, soybeans, etc., than have to suffer through a disgusting port-a-john.

[ny biker]

Been there, done that. Used it for toilet paper during a 22-mile training run. Had already used the TP I kept stashed in my hat -- the leaves were NOT a good substitute! Still had 10 miles to go, it was 90 degrees and humid, and I made the mistake of wiping sweat off my face. The oil from the poison ivy spread everywhere. Covered from head to toe. In my ears, in my eyes, my lips were a blistered disgusting mess -- absolutely the worst thing I've ever experienced... and I'd still rather rely on trees, bushes, soybeans, etc., than have to suffer through a disgusting port-a-john.

Wow. I've had poison ivy all over my face 3 times, but at least it wasn't on my lips. Still I couldn't eat anything that required chewing because any time I moved my facial muscles the blisters broke. (Couldn't laugh, either. )

But my other sister once hid in a patch of poison ivy while playing hide and seek. She was covered from head to toe, and the blisters behind her knees were like baseballs. They almost hospitalized her.

BTW, I'm still mad at the Livestrong people for deciding a couple of years ago that they would no longer provide a locker room or other place to change into clean clothes after the Philly ride. When you ask them where you can change, they say to use the porta johns. Holy cow, no way. It's hard enough changing in a regular public bathroom, and there's no way I'm risking having any of my clothes touch the floor of a porta john after thousands of people have been using it for 7-8 hours.

[Zen]

Now we've reached the point in the discussion of learning how to 'shake it off'.

[GLC1968]

Now we've reached the point in the discussion of learning how to 'shake it off'.

Or position for a nice breeze to air dry.

After a month in the mountains of Wyoming where snow was the best TP you could ask for...porta-potties can be seen as luxuries. I'm not picky - I can pee in lots of non-traditional places. It's better than trying to spin up a hill while having to go!

[lph]

Or position for a nice breeze to air dry.

After a month in the mountains of Wyoming where snow was the best TP you could ask for...porta-potties can be seen as luxuries. I'm not picky - I can pee in lots of non-traditional places. It's better than trying to spin up a hill while having to go!

hey, snow is excellent TP! You get a good scrub+clean at the same time... plus everything just shrinks in self-defence so you don't have to go again for hours...

[bcipam]

funny post and timely... I just got back from camping on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. You had to pee in the shrubs, no outhouse. Plenty of folks walking around and I ran into them and they ran into me. In the middle of the night I got disoriented and walk in the wrong direction of camp... that was fun!

For number 2 we had a "groover" - a small square box, on the edge of the Canyon. Great views but kindof scary especially when windy. You can use a limited amount of toilet paper, and you could not pee...

think outhouses are all that bad anymore?

[Veronica]

Who did you do your trip with?

We did a self supported trip to the North Rim last week. We had snow our first day there.

We took a PETT toilet.

I love that thing. You do your business in a bag, put the bag into a heavy duty ziploc bag and it can go in your regular garbage. Whatever is in those Wag bags keeps it from smelling really badly too.

Veronica

[bcipam]

Who did you do your trip with?

We did a self supported trip to the North Rim last week. We had snow our first day there.

Veronica

The outfitter was Western Spirit. They do a good job - at least the food and guides were excellent. We did the AZ Trail and Rainbow Rim. MUCH harder than I expected, especially with the elevation. I walked alot!!!! The last day was my favorite. The trail was at least easier and I was able to ride most of it. It was beautiful and I would like to do it again. We had good weather, warm during the day and cool at night. Just some wind, no snow.

[Irulan]

funny post and timely... I just got back from camping on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. You had to pee in the shrubs, no outhouse. Plenty of folks walking around and I ran into them and they ran into me. In the middle of the night I got disoriented and walk in the wrong direction of camp... that was fun!

For number 2 we had a "groover" - a small square box, on the edge of the Canyon. Great views but kindof scary especially when windy. You can use a limited amount of toilet paper, and you could not pee...

think outhouses are all that bad anymore?

Groovers almost always have a good view. As die hard wilderness river runners (one of our family's other sports) we are used to the groover concept. For those of you not in the loop, groovers or wag bags are for leave no trace situations. It's very common for any permit wilderness situation like a permitted river, where everyone camps in the same camps night after night. The big discussion with the groover ( other than who carries ) is, can we have both privacy and a great view?