[pct-l] Most popular backpacker toilet in the world

Sat Nov 14 08:42:52 CST 2009

I know everyone is supposed to stealth camp or be in established campsites, so as not to make more sites near the trail.  For me, I want to be near a nice mountain stream with good views.

Switchback

-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen Adams <reddirt2 at earthlink.net>
To: hiker97 at aol.com
Cc: reinholdmetzger at cox.net; pct-l at backcountry.net
Sent: Fri, Nov 13, 2009 10:04 am
Subject: Re: Most popular backpacker toilet in the world

Now that you mention it again, and thinking about recent travels, it seems I used to see a lot more wind breaks built up all over the Sierra.  Perhaps rangers or regular folks are dismantling them?  

On Nov 13, 2009, at 8:16 AM, hiker97 at aol.com wrote:

Back in the old days, there were lots of rock walls made from rocks on top.  This was back around 1970.  I enjoyed looking at the more creative walls.  Some were about 4 feet tall and about 6 feet long.  Just enough to cover a tent from the winds.  Not bad sites really.

The Switch Back

-----Original Message-----
From: Reinhold Metzger <reinholdmetzger at cox.net>
To: Stephen Adams <reddirt2 at earthlink.net>; Hiker97 <hiker97 at aol.com>; PCT <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thu, Nov 12, 2009 3:44 am
Subject: Most popular backpacker toilet in the world

Say, 
When was the last time you guys have been on top of Mt. Whitney? 
No need to bring rocks....there are plenty rocks....the whole Mountain is a pile of rocks. 
I first climbed Whitney in 1969 or 1970 with my wife....been up there at least 16 times. 
Not much has changed on the Mountain, it's still a pile of rocks, the sun still rises in the east and sets in the west. 
Occasionally some hikers still camp on top and there are some low rock walls to shield hikers from the wind. 
I prefer to sleep in the hut....much warmer. 
The Whitney Hut still has a metal roof, but now has lightning rods...they installed those some years ago after one hiker got killed and several others got injured when the hut got struck by lightning. 
Oooohhh....."The Throne" ( toilet ) is gone,....I mean "The Throne" is still there but they removed the bucket and toilet seat and covered "The Throne" with rocks ....they make you haul the stuff out now in litter bags. 

Bummer.....that must have been the most popular backpacker toilet in the world. 
Just felt "so" good and rewarding to be sitting on "The Throne" on the highest summit in the lower 48. 

I remember back in the early days there was no toilet seat and no wall to shield your rear end from public display and from scrutiny by all the hikers congregating around the hut, about 100 feet away....made some of the hiker babes very uncomfortable 
and some hiker dudes very curious. 
I don't know if you guys know this or not, but that is what made me realize that the rear end of hiker babes is somewhat different from the rear end of hiker dudes.....it's aaahhh, how do I say this, aaahhh.....a little more rotund and appealing 
looking. 
I just thought of something....folks used to ask me why do you climb Mt. Whitney so often? 
I never really had an answer.....hhhmmm,....I wonder,....hhhmmm... 

Later, to the great relief of the hiker babes and the dismay of the hiker dudes, they installed a toilet seat and build a 2-3 foot wall behind the seat to shield the rear end from public display. 
Bummer.....I liked it better the other way........VIVA LA DIFFERENCE!!! 

JMT Reinhold 
Still dreaming about "The Throne" 
--------------------------------------- 

Stephen Adams wrote: 
> OK, sounds good. Should we make it B.Y.O.R. (Bring your own rocks), > or do you think there might still be some up there? And to hell with > permits ! It's the end after all... 
> As a side note, I suggested a few years back it might be nice to watch > Mammoth Mountain blow from the White Mountains. But because of the > prevailing wind, we'll have to make that one B.Y.O.G.M (Bring your own > gas mask)... 
> Gee, I miss all the fun posts at PCT. 
> On Nov 8, 2009, at 8:13 PM, hiker97 at aol.com <mailto:hiker97 at aol.com> > wrote: 
> 
>> Good for you. That's what I like some grit for 2012. No weakies on >> top of Mt. Whitney or whiners. We will build a fort of rocks up >> there. I remember years ago, there were many rock wall campsites on >> top. Campers made them because of the wind. Today, I do not think >> you will find any. The rangers probably tore them down. I think you >> are not supposed to camp on top today. 
>> >> Cheers, Switchback 
>> 
>> -----Original Message----- 
>> From: carol bruno <carolwbruno at yahoo.com <mailto:carolwbruno at yahoo.com>> 
>> To: reinholdmetzger at cox.net <mailto:reinholdmetzger at cox.net>; >> pct-l at backcountry.net <mailto:pct-l at backcountry.net>; >> losthiker at sisqtel.net <mailto:losthiker at sisqtel.net>; >> montedodge at msn.com <mailto:montedodge at msn.com>; >> reddirt2 at earthlink.net <mailto:reddirt2 at earthlink.net>; >> duckface99 at gmail.com <mailto:duckface99 at gmail.com>; >> tooloouk79852 at yahoo.com <mailto:tooloouk79852 at yahoo.com>; >> lostonthecrest at hotmail.com <mailto:lostonthecrest at hotmail.com>; >> hiker97 at aol.com <mailto:hiker97 at aol.com> 
>> Sent: Sun, Nov 8, 2009 7:01 pm 
>> Subject: Re: Arguing with Idiots 
>> 
>> My thoughts exactly!! Should be quite a show...I'm in. can'tquit 
>> 
>> --- On *Sun, 11/8/09, hiker97 at aol.com <mailto:hiker97 at aol.com> >> /<hiker97 at aol.com <mailto:hiker97 at aol.com>>/* wrote: 
>> 
>> 
>> From: hiker97 at aol.com <mailto:hiker97 at aol.com> <hiker97 at aol.com 
>> <mailto:hiker97 at aol.com>> 
>> Subject: Re: Arguing with Idiots 
>> To: reinholdmetzger at cox.net <mailto:reinholdmetzger at cox.net>, 
>> pct-l at backcountry.net <mailto:pct-l at backcountry.net>, 
>> losthiker at sisqtel.net <mailto:losthiker at sisqtel.net>, 
>> montedodge at msn.com <mailto:montedodge at msn.com>, 
>> reddirt2 at earthlink.net <mailto:reddirt2 at earthlink.net>, 
>> duckface99 at gmail.com <mailto:duckface99 at gmail.com>, 
>> tooloouk79852 at yahoo.com <mailto:tooloouk79852 at yahoo.com>, 
>> lostonthecrest at hotmail.com <mailto:lostonthecrest at hotmail.com> 
>> Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009, 3:56 PM 
>> 
>> I say we should plan for 2012 to be it. The end. One of these 
>> predictions has to right. They have been going on for the last 
>> 10,000 years. So, I figure that the odds are getting good that 
>> one should soon be right. This is too cool. I plan to be on top 
>> of Mt. Whitney when the end comes. Some big monster comet will 
>> probably hit Las Vegas and my house. I will see it on the 
>> horizon. I will see the shock wave headed my way. But I will 
>> have the satisfaction that all the low landers and pilgrims will 
>> get it first before us mountain men. 
>> >> If it hits out in the Pacific Ocean, then the tsunami might not 
>> get me. But I will be able to jump off the east face into 
>> a refreshing in-land sea for a swim. Nice. 
>> >> Respectfully submitted and your obedient servant, 
>> >> Switchback the Trail Pirate 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message----- 
>> From: Reinhold Metzger <reinholdmetzger at cox.net 
>> <mailto:reinholdmetzger at cox.net>> 
>> To: pct-l at backcountry.net <mailto:pct-l at backcountry.net>; Deems 
>> <losthiker at sisqtel.net <mailto:losthiker at sisqtel.net>>; MONTE 
>> DODGE <montedodge at msn.com <mailto:montedodge at msn.com>>; Hiker97 
>> <hiker97 at aol.com <mailto:hiker97 at aol.com>>; Stephen 
>> <reddirt2 at earthlink.net <mailto:reddirt2 at earthlink.net>>; scott 
>> williamson <duckface99 at gmail.com <mailto:duckface99 at gmail.com>>; 
>> ''Adam Bradley'' <tooloouk79852 at yahoo.com 
>> <mailto:tooloouk79852 at yahoo.com>>; joseph kisner 
>> <lostonthecrest at hotmail.com <mailto:lostonthecrest at hotmail.com>> 
>> Sent: Sun, Nov 8, 2009 11:31 am 
>> Subject: Arguing with Idiots 
>> 
>> Switchback, >> I can't believe what I am hearing in this recent "ARGUMENT" about >> dangers on the trail in the "End of the World" thread. >> >> Bricks response is right on the button. >> >> To ignore or to refuse to acknowledge that dangers do exist on 
>> the trail is like sticking your head into the ground and pretend 
>> they do not exist. >> I have been hiking the Sierra for going on 35 years now and 
>> always accept the fact that I will be exposed to danger. >> That does not mean I will let that scare me or control my hike, 
>> it only means I am aware of potential danger and plan accordingly. >> You can not eliminate the danger, but you can plan to be prepared >> for it. >> >> It is exactly that kind of naive thinking that encourages 
>> inexperienced hikers, who should not be on the PCT to begin with, 
>> to attempt a thru-hike >> and then call 911 when they get scared or run into trouble, 
>> because they were let to believe that there is no danger in the 
>> wilderness and "while >> hiking the trail we are safer than we are in our own homes". >> >> I have been reading the book "Arguing with Idiots" and this has 
>> made me realize that conversing on the list is a lot like 
>> "Arguing with Idiots". >> >> Now don't get me wrong, there are a lot of cool, intelligent 
>> folks on the >> list...but, unfortunately, there are also a few "IDIOTS" on the 
>> list and at this stage of my life I do not want to argue with 
>> "IDIOTS" any more. >> >> So, to my "FRIENDS" I say, once more, "ADIOS" and to the "IDIOTS" 
>> I say >> "wise up" Amigos, before it is to late. >> JMT Reinhold 
>> ------------------------------------------------------- 
>> Diane wrote: >> Your post is awesome, Louie. You have it exactly right. The trip 
>> is an escape from fear. It's a journey into Middle Earth. It's a 
>> wonderful, safe, magical experience. You captured it correctly. >> >> The thing is, the people on the trail know this, but most people 
>> on this list do not. Every dire warning on this list is total 
>> hype. You'll hear this complaint many times when you're out on 
>> the trail. >> >> Since we're entering the lull time, expect this list to hype into 
>> warp speed with dire warnings about everything. Don't worry. 
>> These aren't the lunatics you'll be hiking with. Those lunatics 
>> are smelly, hairy and happy. >> Diane 
>> --------------------------------------------------- 
>> >> On Nov 4, 2009, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net 
>> <http://backcountry.net> 
>> <http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l> Louie wrote: >> >/ You'll have to forgive me for posting back to back once again, 
>> but I'm >> />/ trying to figure out just what kind of band of lunatics is 
>> going to be >> />/ on the trail come 2010. >> />/ >> />/ All of this crazy talk about coyotes, and black bears, and 
>> rapists and >> />/ the end of the world make me wonder if even one sane person 
>> wants to >> />/ walk to Canada? Do any of you fear mongers realize how benign it >> />/ actually is in the Sierras? How often the sun shines? How 
>> kind the >> />/ weather is for essentially, the ENTIRE walk? We're safer on 
>> the trail >> />/ then any one of us is in our own homes. I hope the joke is on 
>> me />/ and I >> />/ just didn't get it. >> />/ >> />/ Because I plan on enjoying myself. I am going to have fun. I 
>> am />/ going >> />/ to partake in all the fish and bird the mountains grant to 
>> me. And />/ what >> />/ I won't be doing is entertaining all of the silly worries 
>> about Lions >> />/ and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! I'll be sleeping like a baby 
>> every />/ night. >> />/ Because, apparently I know something all the paranoid people 
>> don't />/ know. >> />/ >> />/ This trip is supposed to be an escape from fear, it is 
>> supposed to />/ be a >> />/ peaceful walk, a contemplative time. A Mission. When the 
>> wilderness >> />/ becomes nothing more then an extension of the fears we carry 
>> around />/ with >> />/ us in the "world", then God help us all. >> />/ >> />/ Plan on having fun. Your failures won't be because you got 
>> />/ attacked by >> />/ a bear, or a rapist- you'll fail because you quit on 
>> yourself. And />/ that >> />/ is the hard truth. >> / >> >> 
>> 
> 

= 