Inquiring minds need to know: How do rock climbers answer nature’s call at the crag? Regular climbers will tell you that they plan for these things best they can by waking up earlier than usual and having a breakfast that will help them poop. Coffee has been known to help move things along. The sooner they can relieve themselves, the sooner they can hit the road and head to the climb site.
Unfortunately, things don’t always go as planned and the urge to poop may hit you when you least expect it. When it does, you’ll be glad you packed a Restop Waste Bag with the rest of your gear.
Pack It In, Pack It Out with a Waste Bag
Another important LNT principle to follow is the concept of “pack it in, pack it out.” It’s important to make as little impact on the environment as possible. Packing out your pee and poop with a Waste bag is the best and most responsible option.
The Restop pack-it-out bag system involves a patented “bag within a bag” design. The RS1 Waste Bag contains super absorbent polymers and enzymes that can absorb a full 20 ounces of urine. The RS2 on the other hand, can be used for both pee and poop. Both the RS1 and RS2 safely control and neutralize human waste. And because Restop waste bags also shield the odor, you practically forget you’re carrying around a bag of poop.
If you’re doing a multi-pitch climb, it’s ideal for you to go before you start. However, if you’re in the middle of a climb, try to hold off until you can move off the route. Find a spot away from high-traffic peaks and trails.
Open up the bag, create a basin or prop up the bag with a rock or twigs on the ground, squat and go. Restop waste bags have everything you need to take care of business, including toilet paper and antimicrobial wipes. Once done, cinch the inner bag closed as you would with a garbage bag and stuff it into the outer bag.
Try to get as much air out before sealing the bag shut. Because the bags are made of puncture-resistant material, don’t be afraid to roll them up and store it away in your backpack. We’ve even put Restop waste bags to the test. We know that both the RS1 and RS2 stand up to being dropped from a high height and won’t break or leak.
Don’t forget to throw it away in a regular trash can once you locate one.