Do you carry Toilet Paper?

[flyfisher]

I thought for a while before I made my decision not to carry toilet paper on the trail. I did some experimenting in the woods around home before setting out on my first multiday hike sans toilet paper. That was about 200 miles ago. However, it interests me to find out how many of my fellow hikers might have come to a similar conclusion.

(BTW, dry leaves and small flat stones are a lot better than green leaves.) Oh, and i DO know what poison ivy looks like.

[mdjeeper]

never leave home without :) one of those multi-use items i just gotta have with me.. handy dandy firestarter, good for cleaning the glasses, dabbing at those lil scratches that want to bleed but not enough for a band-aid..so many uses!!

[The Old Fhart]

mdjeeper,
You are referring to TP's multi-use but I assume that is not after it has been used for the primary use. :)

[Skeemer]

Yeah, but I try be conservative...I use one sheet, stick my finger through it and wipe. One roll lasts forever! :o

[chomp]

No TP for me. When out for my first night in the woods without and manged to get by. Smooth stones are they best, but I am not picky.

[Footslogger]

I started off on my thru last year carrying partial rolls of TP. Somewhere along the trail I discovered the small travel packs of pre-moistened wipes. Never went back to TP again ...and most likely never will. The wipes may be a tad heavier but are much more versatile. I found them to be available everywhere, including the small convenient stores where I sometimes re-supplied. One thing I did when I bought them was to wring out the excess moisture and place the towlettes in a small zip lock bag. Kept them on the outside of my pack.

Anyhow ...it worked for me !!

'Slogger

[veteran]

Carry two Red & one White Corn Cobs.
Use one red then one white to see if you need another red, on and on.

[TedB]

Eat with your right hand, wipe with your left hand. No TP required. Billions of people can't be wrong.

Seriously, I carry TP, although if there are good natural materials nearby I'll use them first.

[Kozmic Zian]

Yea.....TP. The Thing is Andy....best get a little bit off of a roll (gas station, hostel, hotel, city toilet) or enough for the number of days you plan to be out (don't get the s****) and wrap it around your hand, then put it in a zip lock. You'd be surprised how much a full roll of TP weighs. So, you'd be better off with about 10-20 wraps around your hand. Zipp keeps the moisture out. Works for me. KZ@

[peter_pan]

One more new one.....Never use a smooth stone to toss your bear bag line, :-? or as Mom says wash after you throw stones :rolleyes: ....Do you always turn the "used side down" ;) ... LNT... :clap ... And no skipping rocks. Especially, since we all know that smooth ones make the most skips :jump ... Do you carry paper in PA? There are no smooth stones in PA on the AT :o ....

[Jaybird]

I thought for a while before I made my decision not to carry toilet paper on the trail. I did some experimenting in the woods around home before setting out on my first multiday hike sans toilet paper. That was about 200 miles ago. However, it interests me to find out how many of my fellow hikers might have come to a similar conclusion.(BTW, dry leaves and small flat stones are a lot better than green leaves.) Oh, and i DO know what poison ivy looks like.


but do you know what Poison Oak & Sumac looks like? ;)

I carry one "emergency" small roll of TP (Charmin makes a 1/4 size roll already encased in lightweight plastic...no tube) or just use the Handi-wipes i carry (for multi-purpose use..washing face, & other body parts, etc etc)

but, i have used leaves when the compost privys provide & encourage the use. Great idea.

[Lone Wolf]

No paper. I use my fingers then share my gorp.

[Youngblood]

What would be the term for those that put a cork in while on the trail?

[art to linda]

this is one thing that is a bit on the easier side for you gents :D we ladies most deffinatly need to know what poision oak looks like as we spend our time closer to the ground (and some of us are short enough to start with) ....am thinking about the handy wipe though, sounds like a good idea!

[Skeemer]

LW, everyone is right...you are an ******* :D

[flyfisher]

but do you know what Poison Oak & Sumac looks like? ;)



Yes, though I have never seen either on/along the portions of the AT I have been on. There are MANY variations in the look of poison ivy, from 3/4 in leaves to 4 in monster leaves. The stems are always pretty much the same.

Any way I am partial to the leaves in a hardwood forest, in which all these vines are fairly uncommon. There are also some cool soft/toilet paper like dry leaves in some areas. I have not seen them on the AT, but they are common in the BWCA.

[flyfisher]

No paper. I use my fingers then share my gorp.

This seems like a good reason not to take offered GORP. Now, shared beer I will take.

I hope to meet you one day LW, I will remember to offer but not to take. And, would you mind if I pour my gorp in your hands? ;)

[flyfisher]

Just a note at this point:

The voting is running 50 yes for carrying TP, 3 of us don't carry. I did not know the majority was so dominant. Thanks. I will continue monitoring.

[Lone Wolf]

I actually carry colored and scented TP and half bury it just to piss off the tree huggin hippies. :cool:

[Ramble~On]

Toilet Paper ? I thought that was what shelter mice were for.:jump

[SGT Rock]

I with L Wolf on that. But to make them even madder I wipe with pinecones and rocks and just half bury paper wih snot on it.

[Chappy]

I with L Wolf on that. But to make them even madder I wipe with pinecones and rocks and just half bury paper wih snot on it.

Wow Sarge...you've come back a changed man! :D

[SGT Rock]

I sneak the pinecones and rocks into bad hikers packs when they aren't looking.

[Chappy]

I sneak the pinecones and rocks into bad hikers packs when they aren't looking.

So I can be sure and be a "good hiker," how do you determine a "bad hiker?"
Don't want any pinecones and rocks in my pack! :D

[SGT Rock]

People with obnoxious dogs, people that leave trash all over (except for snotty TP), but never a hiker with a gun. :eek:

[flyfisher]

After 5 days of voting, 84 people have responded. 80 or 81 of you carry TP. Two members plant TP flowers on the trail.

With all this going on, I am surprised to only see a couple TP flowers a week on the trail.

My conclusions:
1. I am a member of a small minority.
2. I am going to watch Sgt Rock closely and investigate some sort of a lock for my pack.
3. I am going to buy stock in TP companies.
4. I am going to leave you to wonder what your ancestors did for the 100,000 years before TP was invented.
5. Now, excuse me, I'll be back in a little while....

[max patch]

4. I am going to leave you to wonder what your ancestors did for the 100,000 years before TP was invented.


Flyfisher. obviously there was a reason why mankind found it necessary to invent TP?

If leaves "really" worked as well as TP we would all have a basket of them in our bathrooms.

Good luck.

[flyfisher]

Flyfisher. obviously there was a reason why mankind found it necessary to invent TP?


I just did a google search... roll toilet paper was introduced in 1906. Before that, Sears catalogs were the instrument of choice along the AT, and before that, corn cobs.

[SGT Rock]

I suppose a corn cob could be carried and claned for re-used. I wonder what one weighs :-?

[Chappy]

I suppose a corn cob could be carried and claned for re-used. I wonder what one weighs :-?

Lightest would probably be a mini-hybrid Indian corn, usually three to four inches long. However, Silverqueen cob would be much softer! :D

[eyahiker]

HEEE HEE HEE, I needed a good laugh, glad I stumbled upon this post:clap

[SavageLlama]

Ultralight is one thing.. but come on, the weight of a little TP is negligible.

[eyahiker]

Yeah well, you try dragging a piece that's hanging out of your shorts for another 20 miles......hmm let's see thats .000004398474646 ounces times 20, figure in the pull of gravity and the elasticity of the shorts while under pressure from the pack..........:bse

Better yet how about this? http://www.justtoiletpaper.com/currencynew.shtml

[Bill Harris]

AH! This discussion has brought about poetry from the old Days.

Here I sit,my a-- in a caper
The person before me used all the paper
My lunch is ready,I cannot linger
Lookout a--h---,here comes my finger :banana

[eyahiker]

THAT is truly disgusting.

[Bill Harris]

Nothing wrong with getting a little earthy, besides it's only poetry and I would never think of doing that. :D

[eyahiker]

Thanks for sharing, I am no longer eating my dinner ;)

[Pencil Pusher]

Same tune, different variation told to me long ago:

Here I sit in sweat and vapor,
the one before me left no paper.
There's a line outside, so I won't linger,
Ah what the hell, I'll use my finger.

I just bring some tp in a ziploc. The remaining clean tp goes in the pocket, the used goes in the ziploc. Tried the leaves and snow trick, don't particularly want to again.

[Bill Harris]

Pencil Pusher, that's a geat one.I'll have to add it to my collection.Your'er right about the telit paper being kept in a baggie.My first trip to the privy on the AT was at Springer Mt.It was pouring rain and in my haste,I grabbed my TP and took off to the privy.By the time I reached the privy my TP was one huge spitwad ,so I was left with a handfull of leaves.I learned alot that morning..... :-?

[smokymtnsteve]

I always keep two separate baggies of TP....that way if you have to go in the rain..you always have a reserve that is dry

[Kozmic Zian]

Yea.....Keepin' it clean! The pioneers used corn cobs...you imagine? Nowadays the hikers use scented, chemically doused, wet knaps to keep their tushes preened. Go figya! Look how far we've come....all clean and scented up so the bears, skunks and porcupines can locate us while we sleep! KZ@:p

[Pirate]

I like to poop on the trail, then sprinkle berries on top and then it looks like bear poop. No toilet paper for me, just use my sleeves.

[smokymtnsteve]

I have seen that...makes good fertilizer

[Lone Wolf]

Oh Jesus! Pirate is out of the woods. Found him a puter.

[smokymtnsteve]

Oh Jesus! Pirate is out of the woods. Found him a puter.

Danger, Danger...make sue you log out if PIRATE is around and your on a public puter,,Danger danger..

also keep an eye out for smoking pickup trucks...

[sgtjinx]

Hey, Take is why we wear underwear for.:jump

[Streamweaver]

Do I carry Toilet Paper? Does a one legged duck swim in a circle?!?!? Streamweaver

[Verlager]

One cool thing to do during deer hunting season .... is to go out the night before and place tootsie roll pieces in a pile on the trail. Then, next day when you and a friend are walking the trail, act really surprised when you come across what looks like deer droppings.

Pick up a piece and stare at it, and ask "Is this good to eat?"

Then take a bite and say "Oh, so delicious..!"

[Lilred]

One cool thing to do during deer hunting season .... is to go out the night before and place tootsie roll pieces in a pile on the trail. Then, next day when you and a friend are walking the trail, act really surprised when you come across what looks like deer droppings.

Pick up a piece and stare at it, and ask "Is this good to eat?"

Then take a bite and say "Oh, so delicious..!"


LOLOL now that's funny!!

[Connie]

I was LOL on the comment's on corncobs ..
ultralight corncobs, soft corncobs, washing corncobs.

I'd like to hear more about the merits of corncobs.

[eyahiker]

There are also dehydrated corncobs, as well as organic corn cobs. coming soon in a Cabelas catalog near you.

[TakeABreak]

Yeah, I use it never leave without it, but I use the bio-degradeable stuff. You can get it at the local wal mart in the RV supplies and put a roll in each mail drop. It beaks down quicker, making it easier on the privys and designated toilet areas.

[titanium_hiker]

I guess one shouldn't drag up old posts... but what the hey.

the one about shelter mice had me rolling. near tears.

Oh: was at a school camp where the head conselor showed us what do do if we had one sheet left: fold up into forths. rip the corner so that you have a mini poncho. transfer corner to other hand. put tp over finger. wipe. pull poncho off finger... pretty clean... then use the corner for your fingernail.... typical response from the girls... "EWWWWWW" heheheh.

titanium

[U-BOLT]

No, I just use poison ivy leaves. :banana

[Valmet]

Corn cobs come in 2 basic colors, brown and white. In the past you would see a bucket of each color in the outhouse. The reason was, use the brown first then the white to see if you need another brown.

I use TP due to I find I get monkey butt without it.

[grrickar]

Leaves work just as well if you run out of TP.

[saimyoji]

squirrels, chipmunks, bunnies work very well also

[Valmet]

Those little critters work well if you have the back up, but make the mistake of using the underside where the claws and teeth are, well could be a problem.

[trailfinder]

Always, always carry toilet paper. Obviously be conservative in its use and obviously always bury it in your cathole!

[orangebug]

Be considerate and don't use it in a shelter or around others without asking permission.

Sorry, that was for the cell phone thread. :banana

[Gonzo!]

Always, always carry toilet paper. Obviously be conservative in its use and obviously always bury it in your cathole! My journal is titled "All In One Roll" - Now you know why!
www.2000milehike.com (http://www.2000milehike.com)

Of course I did not use my supply of T.P. whenever I had access to another source! :D

[cyclocrosser]

toilet paper all the way. Ain't nothing worse than a stick up the A. :banana

[Chantilly Lace]

That paperback book that you take along to pass the time makes great TP. Read, tear off the page and save for that necessary moment!

Pokemom :o

[snowhoe]

I am only going to bring 10 squares of toilet paper that is all you need for a 2 month hike. I get the three ply toilet paper and rip them into indivdual sheets, when I am all done doing my pooping and I am ready to wipe I poke my finger through the middle of the paper wipe by bunns with my finger and then use the paper to wipe my finger. After that I rinse the paper off and let it dry. Its good up to 4 wipes.

[Stoker53]

Remember that you can't get into heaven with a dirty (_|_) hole and none of us know when our time is up.

Be prepared and always carry TP with you.

[hikerjohnd]

I usually wait until the next water source and wash my arse off in there... :D:D:D

[wyclif]

Eat with your right hand, wipe with your left hand. No TP required. Billions of people can't be wrong.

Depends on what part of the world you happen to be in. In certain Asian countries, I understand the reverse is true (wipe right, shake left).

This is why it's considered rude and insulting in some countries to shake hands with your right hand. Or to shake hands at all.

[betic4lyf]

i just use leaves. i would never leave tp behind, as it really ruins the place for everyone. i just dig a hole with a stick, pop a squat, wipe with some leaves, then cover her up. there is no way i am carrying my used tp with me.

[Hammock Hanger]

I allow myself 1-2 wet wipes each morning to wash my face and then.... (I always pack these out.) I use a dab rag during the day and it is easily rinsed out and air dried.

One of my pet peeves is seeing wads of TP.

[Johnny Appleseed]

Use sycamore leaves and then maybe only 1 or 2 wipes. Using less means less carried. At convenience stores a wad can be had with two hands with the motion referees use to call travelling in basketball. This would eliminate the need for a whole roll or 4 pack if selection is bad. Yes its cheap, but job is done.:-?

[MedicineMan]

you just have to understand or make the effort to understand northern humor gone south....besides i sat beside him at the Thanksgiving feed at Miss Janets, would I sit by an *******---or does it take one to know one?

[Heater]

I just find a grassy area and drag myself around.
Woof woof! :)

[Heater]

you just have to understand or make the effort to understand northern humor gone south....besides i sat beside him at the Thanksgiving feed at Miss Janets, would I sit by an *******---or does it take one to know one?

Uhmmm... did he pass you the rolls? :-?

[MedicineMan]

come to think of it he did, and later that night i got terribly sick :(

[Ridge]

TP on the trail is a staple item but ends up on the endangered list quite often. I think its the most borrowed (no return on used portion) item on the trail. Also, Gold Bond is another sought after item. I probably used 30 gals of the stuff. TP and zips of Gold Bond was in every drop box I got.

[mweinstone]

eat fiber and use almost no paper. allways carry 3 small rolls.the kind with no hole in the middle.allways burn paper in cat hole. allways wash with water and hand after. only moon tour busses. sometimes its use as tinder when its raining is more important than its use as a wipe. anyone ever have to burn money ?

[Twofiddy]

Yeah, but I try be conservative...I use one sheet, stick my finger through it and wipe. One roll lasts forever! :o


Um like there was a guy who murdered his gay partner for buying the stuff that your finger accidentally pops through. It made the Darwin awards a few years back.

Charmin Ultra on my bum, both on the trail and at home and in the Jeep.