Originally Posted by
Cosmo
That's what we thought too, but after we started using sawdust there did not appear to be any reduction in the rate of composting. Probably enough critters just in and around the place to do the work. We used to introduce red worms, but found that unnecessary too--plenty of natural fauna out there. TP pretty much goes away--regardless of it's construction or thickness. The wipes are the biggest issue, they provide an attractive medium for roots, and so can be a little clumpy--and there are often a lot of them, relatively speaking.
We've not had hikers getting in to the resting side, but I'd hate to see anyone get confused during a 3am visit...
It's not all that bad a job, frankly. The really gross part is when you slide the outhouse off of it's active side onto the resting side. The fresh top layer of 32 cubic feet of poop is something you won't forget. The worst was when we found a sleeping bag in the one at Laurel Ridge. Wear old gloves, and make liberal use of hand sanitizer before lunchtime. It still beats the hell out of digging a 4ft deep hole in New England rocks every couple of years.
Cosmo