How to Shit in the Woods

World changes come fast and furious, and in the backcountry it is no different. The practice of “packing-it-out” – adopted to protect high-use areas and fragile ecosystems – is here to stay. We are now often urged or even required to haul our poop home. To assist with all this responsible human waste disposal, Kathleen Meyer discusses the latest in product innovations, from classy high-tech to inexpensive do-it-yourself. She covers the most current solutions to the health risks of drinking straight from wilderness waterways, presents a raft of natural substitutes for the purist swearing off toilet tissue, and offers a wealth of new recommendations for ladies who must make do without a loo.

In rowing hundreds of urbanites down whitewater rivers, Meyer honed her squatting skills. Her delightfully shameless discussion of a once-shameful activity, her erudite examination of its associated vocabulary, and her unapologetic promotion of its colorful vernacular make How to Shit in the Woods essential – and vastly entertaining – listening for anyone who has ever paused at the edge of the forest and pondered: “Where do I go to go?”