The Leave No Trace Principle Every Wild Camper Forgets
Quick Tip
Dispose of waste properly by packing out all trash including biodegradable items like fruit peels and nut shells, as they can take months to decompose and attract wildlife to campsites.
Wild campers obsess over gear weight and campsite selection while completely ignoring one rule that prevents water contamination, disease spread, and permanent environmental damage. This post covers the most overlooked Leave No Trace principle—proper human waste disposal—and explains why skipping it ruins wild camping spots for everyone who follows.
What Is the Most Overlooked Leave No Trace Principle?
Proper waste disposal (specifically human waste management) takes the crown as the forgotten rule. Most backpackers know about packing out trash. They'll stuff every granola bar wrapper into their Osprey Atmos AG 65 and haul it miles back to the trailhead. But mention digging a proper cathole or packing out used toilet paper, and you'll see the blank stares.
The problem isn't malice—it's ignorance mixed with discomfort. Nobody wants to think about bathroom logistics while planning that epic sunrise shot at Canyonlands National Park. That said, improper disposal contaminates water sources, spreads pathogens like giardia, and forces land managers to restrict access.
Why Do Campers Ignore Proper Waste Disposal?
Campers ignore it because discussing bathroom habits feels awkward, and the "out of sight, out of mind" mentality runs deep. Digging a six-to-eight-inch cathole requires effort. Packing out used toilet paper demands carrying a sealed bag. In arid environments—think southern Arizona where Zoe Côté spends most camping weekends—the standard cathole method doesn't even work.
Different environments demand different approaches. Here's what actually works where:
| Environment | Method | Depth/Container |
|---|---|---|
| Forested areas with soil | Cathole | 6-8 inches deep, 200+ feet from water |
| Desert (low bacterial activity) | Pack-out required | Wag Bag or similar container |
| High alpine (rocky terrain) | WAG bags or smear technique | Pack out solids; smear only in sun-exposed areas |
| River corridors | Portable toilet or pack-out | Hard-sided container for multi-day trips |
Worth noting: desert soil lacks the bacteria needed to break down waste. That "buried" toilet paper will surface during the next windstorm—a charming surprise for the next camper.
How Can You Dispose of Waste Properly Without the Gross Factor?
Invest in a proper system and make it part of your routine. The Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Toilet Kit (Wag Bag style) runs about $3-4 per use and handles everything—solid waste, toilet paper, even odor. For shorter trips, double-bagging used toilet paper in freezer-grade zip bags works (store in an outside pocket away from food).
The catch? You've got to carry it. All of it. No exceptions.
"Pack it in, pack it out—including what comes out of you. The wilderness isn't your toilet, and the next person drinking from that stream downstream doesn't deserve your poor planning." — Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
Smart wild campers keep their Wag Bags accessible (not buried under sleeping bags), establish bathroom routines at camp, and never assume "just this once" won't hurt. It always does. You didn't hike five miles into the Superstition Wilderness to stare at someone else's used TP fluttering from a cactus.
Proper waste disposal isn't glamorous. It won't get Instagram likes. But it's the difference between keeping wild places wild—and watching them close due to contamination.