View Full Version : open privy
karoberts
02-18-2009, 19:58
I am curious about these open privys. Can someone tell me about the logistics?
What happens if someone walks up on you when you are mid poo? What if you accidentally interrupt someone, what should you say or do? Does everyone use them or do some people prefer to go in the privacy of the woods? What if you get performance anxiety and can't "go" out in the open?
Is anyone else embarrassed by this whole open privy thing?
What happens if someone walks up on you when you are mid poo? You say hello and finish pooping.
What if you accidentally interrupt someone, what should you say or do?Say hello and call "next".
Does everyone use them or do some people prefer to go in the privacy of the woods? Not everyone. To each their own.
What if you get performance anxiety and can't "go" out in the open? Then go pinch it off somewhere else. It's not like someone's gonna sell tickets to that show. No one's gonna sit there an stare at you while you do your business.
Is anyone else embarrassed by this whole open privy thing? Nope. It's just going poop. Everyone does it one way or another. I don't see what the big deal is.
Blissful
02-18-2009, 20:39
Not that many open privies on the trail, actually. And quite frankly, people don't care. You get used to that and changing in a packed shelter to avoid hypothermia.
Open air privies are the best deal around.....you get a scenic view, here is air flowing around you.....did I mention the FRESH air yet?
In alpine areas out here if there is a toilet it is usually open air. Most times they are put in places where you have some coverage. (It won't be on the trail for example, but rather on a short side trail)
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a308/NWHikergirl/toilet.jpg
The toilet, at the end of the "trail"...a 100 ft climb uphill:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a308/NWHikergirl/toilet2.jpg
The view was great...and you could see down the trail nicely but people coming up couldn't see you.
I have seen open air privies on so many trails - the best ones out here have views of mts. Near the PCT is one at Image Lake that has a billion dollar view of Glacier Peak. There is one in the North Cascades painted bright blue with a view of Mt. Baker/Mt. Shuksan and a lake below and Canada ahead of you :p
Lone Wolf
02-18-2009, 20:43
I am curious about these open privys. Can someone tell me about the logistics?
What happens if someone walks up on you when you are mid poo?
mr. turtle goes back in his shell
Desert Reprobate
02-18-2009, 21:00
If you are a gentleman and you should stumble across a lady using one of these at night you should offer to hold her light.
SGT Rock
02-18-2009, 21:02
It happens. You start to realize everyone is in the same boat and we all deal with the same issues.
So you deal with it the best way for each situation.
Once I start eating trail food, I'm not at the privy for very long....
YoungMoose
02-18-2009, 21:29
just hope no one sees u. u cant pee in them or they smell bad
lol... you do poop fast ! in and out before ya know it..:) you can always go in the woods if you feel uncomfortable.
SGT Rock
02-18-2009, 21:47
I cannot remember stalling on the stall in the woods.
Toolshed
02-18-2009, 22:42
Most people have their attention focused around the camp as they are usually relaxing and chatting or doing chores - Looking more inward and not so much looking outward at folks pooping up the hills.
Tennessee Viking
02-19-2009, 00:25
I am curious about these open privys. Can someone tell me about the logistics?
What happens if someone walks up on you when you are mid poo? What if you accidentally interrupt someone, what should you say or do? Does everyone use them or do some people prefer to go in the privacy of the woods? What if you get performance anxiety and can't "go" out in the open?
Is anyone else embarrassed by this whole open privy thing?
My section only has one privy, and that one is at the Barn Shelter. Its partially open. Its just a small waist high cubicle with no door. But you can definitely tell if someone is using it from a distance without intruding on them.
But you will soon realize when you start putting a lot of time on trail, you will see naked people & people will see you naked.
I am curious about these open privys. Can someone tell me about the logistics?
What happens if someone walks up on you when you are mid poo? What if you accidentally interrupt someone, what should you say or do? Does everyone use them or do some people prefer to go in the privacy of the woods? What if you get performance anxiety and can't "go" out in the open?
Is anyone else embarrassed by this whole open privy thing?
Well, don't offer to shake their hand. :eek:
4eyedbuzzard
02-19-2009, 01:42
You kind of need to check a great dealof your modesty at the trailhead. Not all of it, but there are plenty of instances where others will remove/change clothes, wash up, etc in front of you, you'll likely have to do the same in front of them at times, especially if you camp in or even near shelters - which is also where the privies are. Also you may need to help someone or they help you, such as with a tick inspection/removal, etc.
If you are a gentleman and you should stumble across a lady using one of these at night you should offer to hold her light.
And escort her home should she so desire.
Surplusman
03-07-2009, 15:17
Things have a way of taking care of themselves. I well remember my rude introduction to close quarters community dumping in the latrine of our barracks at the Reception Center at Ft. Bragg in 1967. It was just a row of porcelain Buicks with no partitions, no stalls, no nothing. After a day or two no one cared. Don't worry about it.
I was canoe camping in Canada up on the French River near near Georgian Bay last Summer, and there are similar open privies near many of the designated camping areas. Up there, they call them "Thunder Boxes". If you hear 'thunder' ahead, the 'box' is in use!
daddytwosticks
03-07-2009, 15:36
Progress! Or us Navy squids were pampered. At boot camp in 1979 at Great Lakes, our "heads" hade individual partitions between the crappers...just no doors! Anchors away my boy...:)
Rockhound
03-07-2009, 15:38
I am curious about these open privys. Can someone tell me about the logistics?
What happens if someone walks up on you when you are mid poo? What if you accidentally interrupt someone, what should you say or do? Does everyone use them or do some people prefer to go in the privacy of the woods? What if you get performance anxiety and can't "go" out in the open?
Is anyone else embarrassed by this whole open privy thing?
If someone walks up on you in mid pooh you say, "occupied" and finish. If you walk up on someone you say, "sorry to interrupt" and wait til they are done. Everyone uses them when they are available. If you get performance anxiety and can't go out in the open perhaps you should see a therapist. And yes, you are the only one who is embarrassed by this whole open privy thing, but everybody is um...bare assed about this whole privy thing.
canoehead
03-07-2009, 15:56
Don't forget your TP
Mrs Baggins
03-07-2009, 17:51
I once read about a guy that just used a nice big rain poncho when he had to use one of these. He was all covered up from the neck down - nice and private - and still had the use of his arms and hands under the poncho to take care of things.
High Life
03-07-2009, 18:35
"by jove ! we've done it .pull the hatch forward , what year is it good sir ? "
le loupe
03-07-2009, 18:39
Once I start eating trail food, I'm not at the privy for very long....
I'm the opposite- once I start eating trail food I don't need the privy. I have to force my self to "lighten up"
Billygoatbritt
03-07-2009, 18:47
When nature calls, do what you have to do. Everybody gets used to it very quickly.
I'm the opposite- once I start eating trail food I don't need the privy. I have to force my self to "lighten up"
bring a bag of dried apricots . . . problem solved
the fine print says not to eat more than 8 . . . oopsie
saimyoji
03-07-2009, 19:14
call down to check if MinnieSmith is napping down inside first.
a log in the woods is worth many in the privy
Over Mt shelter has an "open privy". Hooch said it all, not a problem in real (trail) life.
buckwheat
03-08-2009, 12:46
Is anyone else embarrassed by this whole open privy thing?
http://www.amazon.com/Everyone-Poops-My-Body-Science/dp/192913214X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236527164&sr=8-1
They have a few of these along the Fundy Footpath. Three I think. One at Seely Beach. One at Little Salmon River. One at Goose Creek. I like them. They don't get used much, so they don't smell bad. It's nice to sit upon a throne in the open air. You don't really have to plan your itinerary around them though. It's surprising sometimes how well timed the call of nature can be. I bring toilet paper to use at these places, but I don't use it otherwise. Usually there is already a roll there, but if there isn't I leave mine.
[quote=sarbar;783012]Open air privies are the best deal around.....you get a scenic view, here is air flowing around you.....did I mention the FRESH air yet?
Fresh air in a privy, open top or not? LOL
Live the Journey
03-08-2009, 15:04
I sing or whistle while I use the privy so people know I'm there...
"taking care of business" is one of my favorites to sing...
4eyedbuzzard
03-08-2009, 15:20
I sing or whistle while I use the privy so people know I'm there...
"taking care of business" is one of my favorites to sing...
Other notables that might be apropos...
Big Log - Robert Plant
Do You Really Want To Hurt Me - Culture Club
Burn- JoDee Messina
Brown Eyed Girl- Van Morrison
Mr. Brown- Bob Marley
Ring Of Fire- Johnny Cash
30 Days In The Hole- Humble Pie
Gotta go...