A BRIEF PAUSE

Oh no! This has become one of those blogs where you don't see a new post for DECADES!!!! 

 No... no it hasn't. 

 A certain turn of events has been preventing me from getting my creative juices flowing, but as soon as they're back (which will be very soon) I'll have something fresh for you to read! 

 Perhaps you can help me? I'd like to know what YOU would like to read about! All ideas are welcome, and everyone can post a comment whether you have a blogger account or not, so send those ideas this direction!

The face of Writer's Block (it looks a lot like MY face)

PEEING AND POOING [privacy and position are key!]

One of the first things I do after making camp for the night is look for a great spot to go to the bathroom. I like to be prepared for whenever the urge comes along, because searching for a spot when you feel like you’re gonna mess up your underwear is almost as bad as actually messing up your underwear. And no one wants to carry that back to civilization. So in an effort to prevent the above mishap, I’ve nailed down my own order of operations. Once you’ve set up your tent and put your bear canister (should you be carrying one) by the cooking area, head out to look for firewood (should you be needing it). While looking for potential incinerating materials, be thinking about the most convenient, private spot you can find for when number one or number two come along. When you’re a girl, not just any spot will do.

What I typically look for in a good potty spot are things that ensure I’ll have the nicest potty break I can. I look for rocks. Big groupings of them! Personally I like leaning up against a piece of granite more than bark or a bush. I feel like it’s cleaner and that the likeliness of encountering any creepy crawlies while in the act is lessened. And every now and then you’ll find that perfect spot where the rocks form a little throne for you to sit on! When that happens, feel free to do a little potty dance and brag about it. I also feel like I have more privacy behind a grouping of rocks. If you come across a great position, privacy is almost always insured, so position to me is number one.

1)      POSITION

Following after position is privacy.  You may think you have a great spot all picked out, but look! There’s the trail! Or there’s another campsite over there, the people on the other side of the lake can see you, you’re not far enough away from your own camp. Any number of things can get in the way of your potty privacy. And you never know when another backpacker is gonna head up your direction looking for their own chunk of granite to use. So how can you be sure you’ve got a private spot? Keep walking. Distance between you and the rest of the backpacking world will help make sure you can tinkle in peace. Don’t go too crazy though. If it’s dark out, find the nearest tree. Getting yourself lost just because you wanted a private spot is not worth it. Guaranteed if you get lost you’ll mess up your underwear trying to find camp. And darkness is a huge help in privacy! Just make sure you switch off your headlamp or tilt it up away from your body while you’re going.

I will often times announce to the people I’m backpacking with when I’m going to the bathroom and where. This way they know not to head up in that direction until I get back. Privacy takes the second priority.

1)      POSITION

2)      PRIVACY

After privacy we get into the less important necessities for a good spot. Next on my list is view. I find it a huge success when I can find a spot that meets the first two requirements and provides a great view! There’s a certain kind of satisfaction you feel when leaning up against your granite grouping of rocks, no one around to watch you, and you’re gazing down on a meadow or lake or watching the sunset. It just makes the whole “peeing in the wilderness” thing so much better. And once you’ve finished your business, you can return to camp with a great tale of what you saw. View is definitely next on the list.

1)      POSITION

2)      PRIVACY

3)      VIEW

Once you’ve found a spot that provides for all three, you’re all set to go! The different methods of how you go… I’m not going to get specific on. I find it’s just personal preference and dependent on what kind of position you’ve found. A friend of mine likes to squat all the way down to the ground. My brother likes the “Bow Tie” method. Whatever you find that works for you is really all that matters. Make sure you don’t trickle on your pants or boots though. That’s kind of gross. 

[My view while going to the bathroom at Colby Lake]