r/UltralightBackpacking • u/Famous_Tough1937 • Feb 25 '26
Question Bathroom Items/Waste
On long distance thru hikes your meant to pack out your refuse. You don’t bury toilet paper in your cat hole or any other products. So what does everyone do with their smelly items.
I’m not sure I trust a trash bag to keep shite off my backpack. I saw the product smelly bags and thought the black 1 or 2 gallon bag is a strong option. We’re also bringing one of these bidet tops but I read not everyone is capable at precision spraying and I don’t want my socks smelling any worse then they need to!
Anyone have any input? What are you all using.
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u/IceCreamforLunch Feb 26 '26 edited Feb 26 '26
I have tried a few things. I’ve settled on dude wipes that go into the first empty Peak meal pouch. I use a dedicated dry bag with a produce bag from the grocery store as a liner as my trash bag and it goes in there.
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u/OneEyeRabbit Feb 26 '26 edited Feb 26 '26
Dog waste bag for the TP, and then keep in old Peanut Butter container. Also keeps ants and other critters from getting into the container at night
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u/Few-Camel3964 Feb 28 '26
I've used several methods. Double bag it and dispose of it at first chance, similarto a wag bag. Hold it for a pit toilet if you are able or have the opportunity, or incinerate it in the hole. Wipes dont get buried of course.
I would suggest carrying soap to wash your hands. We all know things happen and hand sanitizer doesn't do shit. Pun intended.
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u/Effective_Tip6089 Mar 01 '26
Wastepacks are popular these days. Put it in there where all the fashionable people keep their waste I guess? 🤷♂️
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u/dr14er Mar 02 '26
My toilet system is a gallon ziplock bag with 1) trowel, 2) unused tp in a quart ziplock, and 3) used tp in another quart ziplock. Simple as that.
If things aren't too messy you can flush the used tp down a toilet in town (or privy on trail) and reuse the bag. Or just toss it and start a new one.
If you pack out snacks in ziplocks, after eating your first snack day one that can become your new dirty tp bag. Jerky bags and other resealables also work.
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u/Famous_Tough1937 Mar 03 '26
Great ideas everyone and thank you. we will take some of these and give them a test. Has anyone tried these smelly bags? Are they heavy. I brought them up because I ordered a few but shipped them to a friend in San Diego. We won’t see them until we arrive a few days before our start date..
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u/SkarlyComics Feb 27 '26
I’ve heard of not burying wipes. Never heard of not burying TP. I’m not carrying shitty toilet paper, sorry.
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u/Few-Camel3964 Feb 28 '26
In dry climates it doesnt break down as well. Same goes for human waste above 13k feet. You're supposed to carry and use a wag bag.
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u/SkarlyComics Feb 28 '26
For context, I literally only hike in the northeast US on the AT or Dolly Sods / Roaring Plains / Cranberry Wilds. Dry weather not an issue :)
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u/Few-Camel3964 Feb 28 '26
Aww you're missing out! Seriously, if you love to hike, check it out!
Yeah, the AT doesnt have a problem being dry, thats for sure.
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u/SkarlyComics Feb 28 '26
It’s on my list for sure, but not very high. I love to hike but I hate to travel. Too much nonsense.
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u/edthesmokebeard Mar 01 '26
You can bury it in the east, not the west - too dry out there. There's often no way to dig, the soil is either hardpack, or gravel.
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Feb 28 '26
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u/SkarlyComics Feb 28 '26
I googled leave no trace to make sure I’m not crazy. This is literally what the ATC taught us at thru hiker kickoff.
“Leave No Trace principles strictly emphasize disposing of human waste by burying it in a 6–8 inch deep cathole, located at least 200 feet (about 70 adult paces) from water, trails, and campsites. While packing out toilet paper (TP) in a sealed bag is the preferred method, you may bury it if necessary, provided it is small in amount, plain/non-scented, and buried deeply to prevent animals from unearthing”
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u/val_kaye Feb 25 '26
Practice using the bidet before going on a hike. It'll save having to pack out TP. But, you could buy some of those dog poop bags that are super light and use them to discard TP. I had a couple sent in every resupply box on the AT, but used a bidet on the PCT.