Have you ever questioned what occurs to your poop if you go trekking within the mountains? I’m positive that’s the final query to pop in your thoughts whereas planning a trek, however we at Indiahikes have given it some severe thought. Severe sufficient to write down a weblog piece on it.
➤ So What’s Our Secret?
After numerous experiments on our diverse expeditions within the hills, we expect we’ve lastly discovered the best and sustainable answer to dealing with poop at excessive altitudes. If I have been to present it to you in a single phrase – it’s Composting.
Sure, the identical previous idea you first examine in your science textbooks in center college. However don’t fear, this one has nothing to do with earthworms 🙂 In truth, by the tip of this text, you’ll have developed sufficient understanding as to how you can present the fitting circumstances for composting. And I’ll additionally sneak in just a few tricks to velocity up the method for you. So with out additional ado let’s get to enterprise.
➤ How Precisely is Composting Carried Out?
To compost poop, all you really want is a gap within the floor. In case you’re trekking alone or with a few mates, carry a shovel. Use it to dig a pit about 1 foot deep, then squat over and do your corporation. When you’re executed, use the identical mud you pulled out to cowl the outlet.
This system is known as the cat pit system and is easy sufficient when trekking with little to no firm.
When shifting in a big group, nevertheless, of let’s say 15-20 folks, you’ll be able to’t go round asking everybody to dig their very own holes every day. You require an even bigger and extra environment friendly system. That is the place we at Indiahikes use the dry composting rest room pit. It’s mainly a deeper model of the cat pit system within the sense that it usually covers a depth of 4 toes or extra.
The compost pit is the place the magic occurs. Your entire technique of decomposition is carried out by microbes – microscopic organisms naturally current within the soil – which assist break down the natural matter of the poop.
And like some other dwelling organism on our planet, they require their very own set of appropriate circumstances which assist them thrive.
➤ 4 Issues Completely Important for the Microbes to Survive:
1. Meals:
Our tiny mates require a balanced food regimen that’s wealthy in each nitrogen and carbon, ideally within the ratio of 1:2 respectively. Whereas nitrogen is sufficiently current in your poop to assist the microbes kickstart the composting, carbon however wants to return from an exterior supply.
At Indiahikes, we often choose carrying sacks of mud or cocopeat/sawdust (each wealthy sources of carbon) on our treks which we place close to our compost pit for trekkers to make use of whereas ending up. One different important supply of carbon you’ll be able to add additional is the dirty rest room papers you’d have used, which you’ll be able to add within the pit together with the cocopeat.
Please be conscious that the bathroom paper you convey alongside on the trek isn’t bleached or laden with any chemical compounds as this’ll kill the microbes. That’s the explanation why we additionally strongly discourage bringing moist wipes alongside on our treks.
2. Water:
Your physique ensures that the microbes get sufficient water to play their half within the composting course of. That is the place your poop and pee come in useful in maintaining the compost system hydrated. It’s additionally the explanation why this whole methodology is known as the “DRY” compost pit as you don’t want any further water from outdoors.
3. Air:
Microbes require oxygen to carry out the cardio decomposition of matter. Having a pit within the floor permits for pure aeration and permits the pit to ‘breathe’ effectively.
4. Shelter:
The ultimate factor that these organisms want is shelter, specifically, the fitting temperature to do their work. It is a arduous job as you’re within the mountains, however you might be helped to some extent by the truth that the temperatures underground are hotter than land. In addition to, ensure that to maintain the pit in a location that will get direct daylight throughout the day. This offers the microbes with an ambient temperature to hold on the method.
➤ What Occurs to the Compost Pit after Your Trek?
In case you comply with our directions and suggestions talked about above to the letter, it’ll take about 6 to eight months on your poop to utterly decompose into natural manure. This impressed us at Indiahikes to truly return to our similar spots as soon as our trek season is completed, after about 8 months to examine on the bathroom pits. You possibly can due to this fact take our phrase once we say that these dry compost pits are a good way of changing poop into nitrogen-rich manure.
To know extra concerning the course of, or when you have any queries relating to it, be at liberty to write down to me at [email protected] or drop in a remark beneath. In case you discovered this piece insightful, do keep in mind to share it together with your fellow trekkers.
