[pct-l] about potty trowels,

[Paul Robison]

lots of talk going around about potty trowels, some of it not completely 
respectful.

My opinion,  i think we all need to keep the trail clean.  a trowel does a good 
job digging a hole,  as does a tent stake (but much more slowly).

the montbell handy scoop weighs under 2 ounces.  i'm ordering it, i'm useing an 
oldschool one currently.

wether you use a stick, a rock, a tent stake, or a dedicated trowel ...  the 
idea is to get plenty of dirt on top of all your poop.  4 inches or so on top of 
your poop.

personally, i carry the trowel because a tent stake just doesn't do if i get hit 
with a case of the squirts,  the trowel leaves a nice vertical wall and a nice 
square hole plenty deep to hide any evidence.

i have seen lots on the AT poop that has made it's way back to sirface by those 
shallow holes created by boots and sticks.  if you're going to use your boot, at 
least try and do a good job, and i think that's the problem,  some people are 
lazy about it.  i personally don't know how you could possibly get a deep enough 
hole with running shoes...  my holes would go up to my ankle, so obviously a 
boot won't do for me.  i do think we need to have enough depth to cover it and 
stomp on it so it wont find it's way back to surface.

respect to all,  but whatever you do,  keep the trail nice for next generation 
when there's 20,000 thru hikers and not 300.