BWCA Where to #2 in the winter? Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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devdave
  
11/29/2021 09:02PM  
Serious question. First time winter camping this year and a question came up of where to #2. Planning on camping on the lake. My first thought was to camp near a campsite (limits locations). My second thought to bring a bucket (not fun carrying that back).

What is the rule for winter camping? Obviously not on the ice, but is dropping it in the woods ok? What’s the official rule here?
 
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11/30/2021 07:18AM  
I often use a 5-gallon bucket with a Wal-Mart bag liner. Freeze and pack out. Carefully.
11/30/2021 07:22AM  
Site selection is a factor. Hiawatha National Forest, Upper Peninsula.

11/30/2021 10:37AM  
The FS actually encourages people not to camp in campsites in winter. I think it’s about trying to protect the vegetation. I usually camp on the ice close to shore in a cove, or sometimes in a black spruce swamp. For #2, make a trail back into the woods 200 feet and bury it in the snow. Pack out the paper. I find brown paper sandwich bags combined with larger zip lock bags help make this sanitary and easy.

Winter stuff on page 11.
Laketrout67
Guest Paddler
  
11/30/2021 09:34PM  
If available,snow makes the best toilet paper ever! Marc
Porkeater
distinguished member (225)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
12/01/2021 06:55AM  
Laketrout67: " If available,snow makes the best toilet paper ever! Marc"


How does that work? As I'm picturing it, you're left with a handful of poop-covered snow and a wet, cold behind.
12/01/2021 07:27AM  
Laketrout67: " If available,snow makes the best toilet paper ever! Marc"


haha... good one.
cmanimal
distinguished member (123)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
12/01/2021 10:37AM  
Jaywalker: "The FS actually encourages people not to camp in campsites in winter. I think it’s about trying to protect the vegetation. I usually camp on the ice close to shore in a cove, or sometimes in a black spruce swamp. For #2, make a trail back into the woods 200 feet and bury it in the snow. Pack out the paper. I find brown paper sandwich bags combined with larger zip lock bags help make this sanitary and easy.

Winter stuff on page 11. "


What I've always found interesting is that they state it twice (four bullet points apart) in the Choose a campsite section of winter travel.
schweady
distinguished member(8070)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
12/01/2021 04:49PM  
cmanimal: "What I've always found interesting is that they state it twice (four bullet points apart) in the Choose a campsite section of winter travel. "

I think I only read the #2 time they said it...
12/01/2021 08:38PM  
schweady: "I think I only read the #2 time they said it...
"

Thank you for dumping a little humor on this thread. Do do it again if you feel so moved.
Laketrout67
Guest Paddler
  
12/01/2021 08:48PM  
When we used to winter camp,I didn't need to bring toilet paper. A snowball acts just like a wash rag for your bottom. Cleans like new! Try it this winter if we get snow. So far this season seems to be very dry and warm. Have a good night everyone! Marc
schweady
distinguished member(8070)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
12/03/2021 03:52PM  
Laketrout67: "When we used to winter camp,I didn't need to bring toilet paper. A snowball acts just like a wash rag for your bottom. Cleans like new! Try it this winter if we get snow. So far this season seems to be very dry and warm. Have a good night everyone! Marc"

Where was this important information in March 2020??
12/04/2021 11:43AM  
Just backing up what Laketrout67 said, snow is an amazing all-purpose cleaner. That goes for bathroom use as well. And you can wash your hands with a fresh handful of clean snow afterward.

With tp, you're left with a similar handful of something, and then you have to pack it out (yuck), or burn it in the same fire you cook with (yuck), or leave it for some lucky person to discover the next summer (yuck).

As far as where to go, I definitely take advantage of campsite facilities if it's convenient, otherwise back in the woods in the middle of nowhere like Jaywalker suggested.
prizes14
distinguished member (175)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
12/04/2021 12:08PM  
Laketrout67: " If available,snow makes the best toilet paper ever! Marc"


That's the only way to do it in the winter. Went on a 2 week wilderness hunt in November and maybe used 10 squares of toilet paper the whole time. Snow leaves you cleaner anyway.
Laketrout67
Guest Paddler
  
12/04/2021 05:48PM  
Hey people,
Now that we have that tissue,I mean issue solved,I would like to comment. I am retired from winter camping and my wife and I were snowbirds the last eight winters. My father in law is very elderly so we are taking a break from snow birding. I gave away or sold all my ice fishing gear and clothing. Now I have the itch to go this winter.i am 67 but maybe can still get in there. Love those tip up flags going up and jigging for lakers or splake.oh well,maybe at the end of March I will get to go. Have fun everyone! Marc
 
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