Would you rather

[Azurescens]

live in a privy for five months or thru hike the AT northbound?

[rocketsocks]

Ok,I'll bite,how big a privy and where is it located?

[Spokes]

live in a privy for five months or thru hike the AT northbound?

Why not do both? Then you could write an e-book and be a guest speaker at Trail Days.

[TheCheek]

I would rather thru hike northbound. Living in a privy doesn't appeal to me.

[Lone Wolf]

live in a privy for five months or thru hike the AT northbound?

neither. i'd rather play golf

[Pedaling Fool]

Kind of a strange question :-? I can't even use privies any more, so the thought of sleeping in one is not an option. However, I'd like to locate a bunch of old privies and have them dug up (notice: "have them" :)) and to see how well the contents breakdown. It's something that has always made me wonder... I wonder if there's a chance of the stuff semi-fossilizing or if it does decompose (which would be via anaerobic process -- yucky) what the consistency of the soil would be and there must be leachate, what happens to that stuff.

[Monkeywrench]

I'd like to locate a bunch of old privies and have them dug up (notice: "have them" :)) and to see how well the contents breakdown. It's something that has always made me wonder... I wonder if there's a chance of the stuff semi-fossilizing or if it does decompose (which would be via anaerobic process -- yucky) what the consistency of the soil would be

Been there; done that. It ain't pretty!

Been involved in moving a privy at a site with very limited allowed spots, so we ended up trying to move it to a location used years earlier. Ugh! No go.

Buried down deep in more or less sterile mineral soil, decomposition must take an awfully long time.

[Pedaling Fool]

I have a well aerated compost pile and decomposition under those circumstances is very quick as long as there is air and moisture available it attracts tons of organisms, both macro and micro. However, anaerobic (without oxygen -- and it's far more stinkier process) only allows certain microorganisms to grow, so the time for decomposition is much slower. Furthermore, as moisture is removed and not replenished that means nothing lives. I'm sure there is always moisture, but how much is key, the less moisture the slower the process, so that's what makes me think of semi-fossilization happening.

[flemdawg1]

live in a privy for five months or thru hike the AT northbound?

Hike AT northbound.

This makes me question the saying, "There are no stupid questions". Is there a point to this question?

[rocketsocks]

Hike AT northbound.

This makes me question the saying, "There are no stupid questions". Is there a point to this question?I think not.

[Astro]

Hike AT northbound.

This makes me question the saying, "There are no stupid questions". Is there a point to this question?

+1 on this is a stupid question

[rocketsocks]

I have a well aerated compost pile and decomposition under those circumstances is very quick as long as there is air and moisture available it attracts tons of organisms, both macro and micro. However, anaerobic (without oxygen -- and it's far more stinkier process) only allows certain microorganisms to grow, so the time for decomposition is much slower. Furthermore, as moisture is removed and not replenished that means nothing lives. I'm sure there is always moisture, but how much is key, the less moisture the slower the process, so that's what makes me think of semi-fossilization happening.John,I'm thinking it is dependant on the soil type,that would replace the turds with minerals.But being a"Turd Herder"(plumber)for many a years,I have no desire to dig up,or under a privy,unless it's been fossilized over many a Eons,hunting for fossil Dino dung on the other could be fun and they probably have no more gas in it than an abandoned car on the NJ turnpike.

[rocketsocks]

John,I'm thinking it is dependant on the soil type,that would replace the turds with minerals.But being a"Turd Herder"(plumber)for many a years,I have no desire to dig up,or under a privy,unless it's been fossilized over many a Eons,hunting for fossil Dino dung on the other could be fun and they probably have no more gas in it than an abandoned car on the NJ turnpike.Admendment;no more than traces of gas.

[Sailing_Faith]

Every day I am reminded just how fascinating people are....

.... every day.

[rocketsocks]

Every day I am reminded just how fascinating people are....

.... every day.HaHaHe
HeHe

[Smooth & Wasabi]

I don't know how it is now but in 1999 Antlers campsite privy was pretty inviting.

[Pedaling Fool]

John,I'm thinking it is dependant on the soil type,that would replace the turds with minerals.But being a"Turd Herder"(plumber)for many a years,I have no desire to dig up,or under a privy,unless it's been fossilized over many a Eons,hunting for fossil Dino dung on the other could be fun and they probably have no more gas in it than an abandoned car on the NJ turnpike.

Yeah, soil type makes a difference, but the thing is that they (at least they use to) dig them down fairly deep, below where much of the soil organisms live, and then simply cover them up, basically creating an air-tight enclosure. And when air is locked out things get realy nasty and slimy. I've even had pockets in my compost pile develop these air-tight conditions, mainly because I packed things wrong and didn't turn it, and even in an above-ground compost pile it can get very stinky and slimmy -- really nasty .

[Mr. Bumpy]

southbounder troll. Nice

[Pony]

Two years ago there was a privy in sw virginia that was almost brand new. Smelled great and had a concrete floor. I would've slept in there in an emergency, but live in even the nicest privy for five months. I'd rather go hiking.

[Thirsty DPD]

live in a privy for five months or thru hike the AT northbound?
Stupid Question.


Why not do both? Then you could write an e-book and be a guest speaker at Trail Days.
Great book!

[lunchbx]

What will archeologists make of these privy sites thousands of years from now when the AT and our society in general is long forgotten?

[rocketsocks]

Stupid Question.


Great book!I,have always felt that an entire book could be written on S___House Poetry!

[rocketsocks]

I,have always felt that an entire book could be written on S___House Poetry!Not sure how that comma got there,that's a little to strange

[flemdawg1]

What will archeologists make of these privy sites thousands of years from now when the AT and our society in general is long forgotten?

If there's no society, what would be the point of archeologists?

And waste collection sites have been around ever since people stopped long enough to start a village.

[Azurescens]

Ok,I'll bite,how big a privy and where is it located?

It's one of the freakishly big privies, so you can actually lie down in it. It's not a horribly busy shelter, but you will of course have to deal with hikers using the privy while you are just trying to just chill. You have to eat, sleep and do everything else in there. The only time you are allowed outside is to use the bathroom.

[rocketsocks]

It's one of the freakishly big privies, so you can actually lie down in it. It's not a horribly busy shelter, but you will of course have to deal with hikers using the privy while you are just trying to just chill. You have to eat, sleep and do everything else in there. The only time you are allowed outside is to use the bathroom.
If this is a invite to be on a reality TV show,where if I stay for 6 weeks and have to endure all kinds of crazy stuff,people,drunks,and of coarse folks with digestive disorders,then I say.................How much $$$

[Azurescens]

Monetary reward? Is money all they think about in NJ? The reward is in not having to hike the trail northbound.

[rocketsocks]

Monetary reward? Is money all they think about in NJ? The reward is in not having to hike the trail northbound.Ah,I feel a SOBO plug a comin.And yes money motivates most.