mk
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North Texas
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Post by mk on May 10, 2016 6:43:50 GMT -8
Looking at Restop2 bags for use on our Colorado Chicago Basin trip this summer. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with these -- and advice, recommendations, tips for carrying etc. I'm trying to convince my team that carrying their waste is a good idea ...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 7:27:14 GMT -8
My wife started to carry out her TP, several years ago. Since then I have picked up the habit. We use comit in a plastic zip lock bag for our TP. I'm very interested in how, whatever product you choose, works out for you.
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on May 10, 2016 7:37:25 GMT -8
I suspect they are not just carrying out used TP.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 7:57:05 GMT -8
I suspect they are not just carrying out used TP. I suspect the same thing.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on May 10, 2016 8:29:08 GMT -8
I knew you are required to 'blue bag it' on a number of climbs around the US. I didn't realize the Chicago Basin was that impacted. That's fairly extreme.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on May 10, 2016 8:56:10 GMT -8
I agree fairly extreme. I've blue-bagged on mountain climbs several times and I can tell you they are not odor free. Last time on Rainier I took a can of Pringles and, after eating the chips, put the blue bags in that. Made a much nicer hike down.
The Restop bags look more like wag bags from Mt. Whitney, which are heavier and have more moving parts than the simple double bags on Cascades volcanoes. None are fun to carry.
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mk
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Post by mk on May 10, 2016 11:00:07 GMT -8
As I suspected ... My husband and his climbing buddies also used blue bags on Mt. Rainier -- probably why they aren't too excited about carrying out of Chicago Basin. It's not a requirement -- more an experiment, according to the San Juan Mountains Association website. There are bags provided at the trailhead to encourage use. Apparently the numbers of people in the basin, many of whom are not digging catholes correctly and/or carrying out tp, have created some issues. I always pack out tp anyway, so I thought taking the next step made sense in the LNT vein. And what a good use of an empty Pringles can, toejam. And I think the Restops are similar to wag bags. They do include dessicant powder, an inner bag and an outer ziploc-style mylar bag. (And there's a video showing how to use the contraption for multiple days!)
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
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Post by zeke on May 10, 2016 11:17:45 GMT -8
I have used blue bags in Buckskin Gulch, and the Grand Canyon. Both times were for multiple days. It did take some getting used to, but I did not find them particularly odiferous. That said, we took 2 gallon ziplocks to carry them in. (ziplocks made to hold 2 gallons, not 2 one gallon zips.)
It really helps if you take medication that firms things up, so to speak. I am not on anything regularly, so I took Immodium every other day to help. If you decide to try a different take on the matter, I was successful in depositing on the dirt, then using a trowel to scoop dirt and all into the bag. Made it much easier to not get any on you for days 2-5. Sort of like picking up after a pet, only more so. I have considered trying to deposit on a paper towel, but I am not that good with aiming.
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mk
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Post by mk on May 10, 2016 15:07:30 GMT -8
Thanks for the tips, Zeke. I have heard of the Immodium trick. The video posted on the SJWA website recommends using pieces of plastic (like an open grocery bag) to deposit and then pick up. Pretty much like picking up after the dog.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on May 10, 2016 15:45:34 GMT -8
I think that term is blue balls.
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Post by Lonewolf on May 10, 2016 17:11:47 GMT -8
Poop tube. I have a PVC one from mountaineering because its rigidity allows it to strapped outside the pack because you really do NOT want something rupturing inside it. I added 1 qt ziplocks with paper bags and a cup of kitty litter because it keeps the inside of the tube clean and much easier to dispose of the contents after the trip. Roll down the top of the paper bag with kitty litter in the bottom. Poop. Zip the plastic bag closed with paper and K/L and place in the tube under the unused sets. It adds weight but makes things a lot simpler and safer in the long run (no pun intended). Plus you can safely do your business inside the tent if needed. Of course this is slightly more important at 15000'+ set up on a 4' wide ledge and a couple thousand foot drop outside the door in 80mph blizzard.... :(
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crawford
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Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
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Post by crawford on May 10, 2016 18:23:39 GMT -8
This thread makes me feel like a REAL NOVICE. Thanks for the info about something I've not had to do when backpacking. The poop tube, hmmm...a novel idea.
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Post by Coolkat on May 11, 2016 4:50:06 GMT -8
I've been watching this thread. The scenery would have to be phenomenal for me to think about doing such a thing. For now I'll stick to areas that I haven't been that doesn't have such requirements.
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mk
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Post by mk on May 11, 2016 5:50:13 GMT -8
I saw these, too. But I'm not too good at the DIY stuff, so I thought Restop would be a better option for me. Of course, I'm not unfamiliar with big-box home improvement stores, so maybe it's really just laziness on my part ... I don't expect to ever be on a ledge over 15,000' with a blizzard raging -- unless I fall out of an airplane. But being able to strap it outside the pack, as well as contain odor, is a definite plus. The scenery would have to be phenomenal for me to think about doing such a thing. lol. That's actually not too difficult to achieve, when you compare it to the DFW metroplex. I had to walk a mile and a half yesterday just to get to a hill ...
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on May 11, 2016 7:31:34 GMT -8
Apparently the numbers of people in the basin, many of whom are not digging catholes correctly and/or carrying out tp, have created some issues. I think my response would be to dig very good catholes and pack out my TP (which I do anyway, and have done ever since learning how on the Pariah River. Wonder if that route requires blue-bagging it by now?).
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