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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Where do hikers go to the loo?

92 replies

borisescomb · 25/01/2023 16:29

Not a poo troll, ask MN to check etc etc etc.

My New Year's resolution is to walk more and I've started exploring and going further afield. But I have quite bad IBS that can come on suddenly and urgently. This is putting me off going to certain places. I want to do the likes of ladybower and other popular tourist hikes but the thing is they are still too busy to just be able to pop into a bush. I can the the only person who has these sorts of issues. I wondered how you cope if you're the same? I feel like it's hampering my life and stopping me doing things I'd like to do more of.

OP posts:
Original poster
borisescomb · 25/01/2023 17:03

ColdHandsHotHead · 25/01/2023 16:59

You wear a knicker liner in lieu (geddit?) of bog paper and nip behind a bush as and when. This is for weeing. For the other you bloody well hang on.

You clearly have no experience of IBS or other bowel/bladder issues. It isn't always possible to hold on. I don't want this very common condition to rule my life and stop me doing things though.

I think really rural spots I would be fine with nipping in a bush. But I would be so self conscious somewhere like ladybower where there are loads of people. I don't think there are that many comfort stops on this types of routes either? They are miles long and literally in the middle of the peaks! I love nature and I love walking, I just want to be able to crack on and enjoy myself without this worry hanging over me.

As I'm new to the hiking scene (if there is such a thing!!) I suppose I just wondered if al fresco toileting was considered bad etiquette. As I said I can't be the only person who has this issue.

OP posts:
MorrisZapp · 25/01/2023 17:05

I thought this said 'where do killers go to the loo' and that too is a fair question.

The Killers, that's different. They go to the loo in Las Vegas.

Shallana · 25/01/2023 17:06

I go hiking a lot in tbe Lakes and often have a wee hiding behind a tree or a rock. I take wipes/santiser for my hands. Never needed a poo but I guess it would just be the same. Maybe take a little trowel with you to bury it or if it's not that sort of place, a poo bag? Not sure you could really get away with a wild poo around LadyBower as it's so busy/popular though!

LakieLady · 25/01/2023 17:06

FlameGrilledSquirrel · 25/01/2023 16:45

If very remote, the same place as the bears.

As an aside, the bog in a bag I may mention to DW for our longer walks. Thanks @LakieLady

If you do, please come back and give a review. I think it's genius, if you had a longish jacket, no-one would know what you were doing. They'd think you were just taking the weight off your feet.

I'd be a little concerned about stability, personally, but then I have balance issues. No-one wants to fall over while taking a dump!

Dk1b · 25/01/2023 17:08

She pee for wees and a trowel going off trail and digging a decent hole for emergency poos, with leave no trace after.

midgetastic · 25/01/2023 17:08

Ladybower you get off the path and into the trees and are soon hidden

OfDumplings · 25/01/2023 17:09

Hiker of many years and I have never left anything but the pee and never done a number 2 but coffee means I always go as soon as I have a morning coffee. I appreciate you have a medical condition but you need to take doggy bags and pick it up like you would a dog.

Singleandproud · 25/01/2023 17:10

Wild wees aren't really an issue just nip behind a Bush but for IBS issues you need a Shit Shovel like others have mentioned and you need to read up on the recommended hole depth and distance from watercourses.

For very busy places, would imodium work until you get home? Another option would be TENA lady although I imagine they would chaff and not designed for hill walking.

MaverickGooseGoose · 25/01/2023 17:10

ColdHandsHotHead · 25/01/2023 16:59

You wear a knicker liner in lieu (geddit?) of bog paper and nip behind a bush as and when. This is for weeing. For the other you bloody well hang on.

I physically can't hang on, don't be so glib.

Op if I have to go I have to go, I take wipes / bags with me, clear up and utilise a dog poo bin.

LakieLady · 25/01/2023 17:10

be careful not to shit into your own trousers

😂

There should be a section on MN for "Advice you never knew you needed".

Although maybe I do, I managed to pee on my own foot once (I hadn't considered that I was on a slope and that liquid invariably runs downhill).

Oakbeam · 25/01/2023 17:10

As I'm new to the hiking scene (if there is such a thing!!) I suppose I just wondered if al fresco toileting was considered bad etiquette.

It isn’t as long as nobody has to watch you and you don’t leave your mess and loo roll behind. Either dig a deep hole and bury it or take it home with you.

Hiding it under a rock, log, or leaves is just not acceptable.

Oakbeam · 25/01/2023 17:11

Nor is leaving it out in the open!

Untitledsquatboulder · 25/01/2023 17:12

Taking a dump on other people's land is considered bad etiquette yes. If you must then carry a bag (to dispose of wipes etc) and a trowel to bury it.

Original poster
borisescomb · 25/01/2023 17:15

Obviously I would remove all trace, that goes without saying. It's just the embarrassment factor that worries me, I would be utterly mortified if seen. There's a lot of embarrassment and shame around this condition because people are so disgusted by poo! As demonstrated by some of the replies here. But trust me when you have to go you really have to go. Imodium can help on some occasions, other times it does nothing.

OP posts:
ShakespearesBlister · 25/01/2023 17:16

Perhaps go for places less ambitious to begin with where you know you can find a bush without being seen. There probably isn't an easy way in a vast open area with no cover and lots of people. I hike in open countryside and can always find somewhere to go when I need to buy I think even I would struggle with the places you are looking at unless I just didn't eat before and took something to bind me up.

Urguth · 25/01/2023 17:18

LakieLady · 25/01/2023 17:10

be careful not to shit into your own trousers

😂

There should be a section on MN for "Advice you never knew you needed".

Although maybe I do, I managed to pee on my own foot once (I hadn't considered that I was on a slope and that liquid invariably runs downhill).

… and be very careful not to do what my mate did.

caught short outdoors (no2) whilst wearing a jumpsuit. Didn’t ensure adequate clearance with the garment when squatting. As she pulled the top part back on… It hit her in the back of the neck.

helpfulperson · 25/01/2023 17:19

www.lupineadventure.co.uk/winter-skills/winter-poo-kit.html

Here you go. Obviously same principals apply in the summer.

lifeturnsonadime · 25/01/2023 17:20

borisescomb · 25/01/2023 17:15

Obviously I would remove all trace, that goes without saying. It's just the embarrassment factor that worries me, I would be utterly mortified if seen. There's a lot of embarrassment and shame around this condition because people are so disgusted by poo! As demonstrated by some of the replies here. But trust me when you have to go you really have to go. Imodium can help on some occasions, other times it does nothing.

OP some of the replies are from posters who don't have the first clue about IBS.

I don't know the area that you are walking but maybe you need to change your location if possible so that there are places you can be more discreet.

I have had one genuine emergency when hiking and had to go in a bush. I cleared up before anyone asks.

Anyone remember the time that Paula Radcliffe had to have a poo stop on the London Marathon?

DanseAvecLesLoups · 25/01/2023 17:21

LakieLady · 25/01/2023 17:10

be careful not to shit into your own trousers

😂

There should be a section on MN for "Advice you never knew you needed".

Although maybe I do, I managed to pee on my own foot once (I hadn't considered that I was on a slope and that liquid invariably runs downhill).

I am quite into my outdoors and long distance trekking and one of my friends did exactly that when on trail high up in the chamonix valley. She was leaning too far forward while squatting and basically took a dump right into her hiking shorts. luckily she had her sensible big pants on which kind of caught everying like a 3 point basket ball shot. Ended up stripping down to her waist and wading into an utterly freezing lake to 'clean up'. She ended up walking back to camp 'commando' with her knickers in a bag. Oh how we laughed.

Babdoc · 25/01/2023 17:21

Whatever you do, it can’t be worse than the time I got stuck in an eight hour stationary traffic jam on the M90, OP. There was literally no cover - not a bush, not a tree, and I ended up having to pee on the grass beside the hard shoulder in front of several hundred motorists and passengers! (And miss my flight from Edinburgh airport)
A friend was stuck in an even worse location - on a motorway flyover, no grass - and ended up sitting in her car peeing into a wellington boot!
If ya gotta go, ya gotta go. But I hope lots of the good suggestions from PPs have helped to encourage you.

StrapOnYourHeroHair · 25/01/2023 17:26

Babdoc · 25/01/2023 17:21

Whatever you do, it can’t be worse than the time I got stuck in an eight hour stationary traffic jam on the M90, OP. There was literally no cover - not a bush, not a tree, and I ended up having to pee on the grass beside the hard shoulder in front of several hundred motorists and passengers! (And miss my flight from Edinburgh airport)
A friend was stuck in an even worse location - on a motorway flyover, no grass - and ended up sitting in her car peeing into a wellington boot!
If ya gotta go, ya gotta go. But I hope lots of the good suggestions from PPs have helped to encourage you.

This really made me laugh - but not in a mean way. 😂

I have interstitial cystitis and worry so much about this type of situation as I can’t hold it for ages like a lot of other people.

I’m always bizarrely thrilled when people with ‘normal’ bladders admit to (occasionally) having these issues too!

ShouldIknowthisalready · 25/01/2023 17:27

Re previous poster who said you are never 90 mins away in the UK I can assure you that we are often miles and hours and hours away from a loo

I am involved with Mountain rescue and do get to see way too much human poo. So really grateful OP that you are able to leave a tidy space afterwards.

For privacy pack a lightweight waterproof ponchos - if you are squatting down with that on with a smile on your face and pretend you are admiring the view noone will know.

Advice from Mountaineering is here

You can also get poo pots or make your own which have all the necessary equipment in them here

On popular walking areas like LadyBowers there are loos at the carpark and the whole trip is only 5 miles so hopefully there will only be an odd emergency occasion you may get caught short.

Miniestelle · 25/01/2023 17:28

At first I thought the title of this thread is the first line to a joke.

CappuccinoFace · 25/01/2023 17:29

I also suffer from IBS so I need to plan, try to avoid what triggers it, have imodium in hand, and be prepared (hand gel , wipes etc). I go for the bushes, but thankfully never had to do no2 there.

AWaferThinMint · 25/01/2023 17:30

I look for a tree to lean against for a sneaky wee. Not shy.

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