What to do when stepping off trail for potty break?

[MuddyWaters]

In four decades of meandering through eastern (and some western) woods, I've never had any critters try to make off with my pack. I leave my pack by the trail when I take my pit stops. Maybe that's living dangerously, I dunno. Not recommending it, it's just been my habit.

Ive never been in a serious car accident.
But Ill keep wearing my seatbelt ....just in case...cause statistics tell us ....it happens to some people with some frequency

And Im really looking out more for the animals welfare, than myself.

My pack is also light enough I dont mind carrying it everywhere, downhill to water, up to summits, it simply isnt something I have a desire to drop. Much of the time I dont really know its there.

[rickb]

I keep a bandana tied around my head a lot as a sweat band (or if not hot, in my pack, handy). If I have to go off the trail far, I would tie it to a branch of something and walk straight from there. Really, I rarely go far enough off the trail that I couldn't see it. You could also do as someone else suggested - make a mark in the leaves or dirt with your hiking stick, or pile a few rocks in an arrow along the way.

Out of curiosity who would report you missing, and how long would that be after you wondered off the Trail? Inchworm's situation was unique in that she was meeting get up with he husband very frequently.

[MuddyWaters]

Out of curiosity who would report you missing, and how long would that be after you wondered off the Trail? Inchworm's situation was unique in that she was meeting get up with he husband very frequently.

Although I try to text wife nightly or every other night, my family is accustomed to not hearing from me for a week or more sometimes due to lack of service. It would likely be about 2 weeks before they called me in missing. 2 weeks at 15-20 mpd is a pretty large search area....

I accept the risk for me. There are worse ways to go, like of a heart attack behind a desk.

[35king]

So here is an easy, light weight idea for people that worry about getting back to the trail; Have fishing line wrapped around a small piece of 3" X 2" cardboard. Attach a piece of zing-it to both ends. Mini caribeaner attaches the first end to your pack, second piece of zing it ties a small loop to put your finger through. Leave your pack on the ground, unravel the line (attached to your finger with zing it) and walk out to where you do business. Once done, spool it back up as you walk back to your pack.

[swjohnsey]

Are y'all serious?

[Traveler]

Are y'all serious?

Everyone know breadcrumbs work best.

[Leo L.]

So here is an easy, light weight idea for people that worry about getting back to the trail; Have fishing line wrapped around a small piece of 3" X 2" cardboard. Attach a piece of zing-it to both ends. Mini caribeaner attaches the first end to your pack, second piece of zing it ties a small loop to put your finger through. Leave your pack on the ground, unravel the line (attached to your finger with zing it) and walk out to where you do business. Once done, spool it back up as you walk back to your pack.

This way Theseus found his way back out of the infamous Labyrinth, by using the red wool thread Ariadne had handed him before.
So now I don't know if doing your dump falls in a similar category of tasks than killing the Minotaurus?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariadne

[rafe]

Are y'all serious?

About coming home alive? Speaking for myself, yes.

[MuddyWaters]

You cant fly if your afraid to fall

[JumpMaster Blaster]

i highly doubt she was goin' to pee, got lost and died. in my 30+ years on the AT i never heard of anyone gettin' lost this way

We would love to hear your theory...

[Sarcasm the elf]

We would love to hear your theory...

I bet he'll use 10 words or less.

[Sarcasm the elf]

This way Theseus found his way back out of the infamous Labyrinth, by using the red wool thread Ariadne had handed him before.
So now I don't know if doing your dump falls in a similar category of tasks than killing the Minotaurus?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariadne

That's frakkin brilliant! I think from now on I'll refer to having a bowel movement on the trail as "Killing the Minotaurus"

[rocketsocks]

I bet he'll use 10 words or less.

ill bet he could do it in two sylabols.

[booney_1]

i highly doubt she was goin' to pee, got lost and died. in my 30+ years on the AT i never heard of anyone gettin' lost this way

I agree with Lone Wolf. Something's off with this story.

[DrRichardCranium]

Her former hiking partner has said that Inchworm had a poor sense of direction, no compass or orienteering skills, and got lost a lot. She probably shouldn't have been hiking alone. So what's off with this story?

[Malto]

That's frakkin brilliant! I think from now on I'll refer to having a bowel movement on the trail as "Killing the Minotaurus"

We could call you tipi Jr.

[rocketsocks]

Mound builder.

[lonehiker]

If you can't poop 40-80 (or however many it takes) paces off of a trail and reliably figure out how to get back to your point of exit, you probably should stay home.

[Lone Wolf]

If you can't poop 40-80 (or however many it takes) paces off of a trail and reliably figure out how to get back to your point of exit, you probably should stay home.

yup.....but getting a pic at the sign trumps everything

[buckeye49]

Her former hiking partner has said that Inchworm had a poor sense of direction, no compass or orienteering skills, and got lost a lot. She probably shouldn't have been hiking alone. So what's off with this story?

No probably about it, she most definitely had no business hiking alone. What I don't understand is why her husband and her friend appearently made no effort to convince Inchworm to not continue solo.