One of the most important lessons I have learned throughout my experience outdoors is, “Use the bathroom when you can, even if you don’t have to go.”Out of all my hikes and climbs, I have this one really funny story from a backpacking trip with my friends. We were hiking above the tree line, ridge walking, and we get to the peak of the highest mountain in the area and there’s this massive observatory with clean bathrooms, food, and everything. After we were done there, we got ready to go back down to the campsite. Along the way back, about a mile away from the tree line, we saw a storm approaching us.
My friend goes, “Oh no I got to go to the bathroom right now.” Like seriously? We were just at the observatory. When you’re below the tree line it’s relatively easy to do your business, you just dig a hole, do your business, then cover the hole. When you are above the tree line, oh my god, that’s a different story.
My friend found a solution that involved making a deposit into a little plastic bag. I don’t know if I should say the rest.
As told to Jacob Shain ’22 (Photo: Provided)
