It’s the feisty third edition of How to Shit in the Woods, jam-packed with new information for outdoor enthusiasts of every stripe. Hailed in its first edition as “the most important environmental book of the decade” by Books of the Southwest, and in its second as “the real shit” by the late, great, outdoor photographer Galen Rowell, this bestselling guide is often called the “backpacker’s bible” and has sold more than 2.5 million copies in eight languages. Author Kathleen Meyer continues to pioneer the way with her inimitable voice—at once humorous, irreverent, and direct—examining the latest techniques for graceful backcountry elimination, and answering a desperate cry from nature concerning environmental precautions in our ever-shrinking wilds.
World changes come fast and furious, and in the backcountry it is no different. The practice of “packing-it-out,” adopted to protect high use areas and fragile eco-systems, is here to stay. We are now often urged to haul our poop home. Or with increasing frequency, the whole business is mandatory. To assist with all this responsible human waste disposal, Meyer’s new edition features the latest in product innovations, from classy high-tech to inexpensive do-it-yourself. She covers the most current solutions to the health risks of drinking straight from wilderness waterways; presents a raft of natural substitutes for the purist swearing off toilet tissue; and offers a wealth of new recommendations for ladies who must make do without a loo.
This down-to-earth guide has been employed as a training aid for scout troops, outdoor schools, and wilderness programs for inner-city youth; for rangers with the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management; as well as for whitewater rafting guides, backcountry outfitters, and members of the military.
In rowing hundreds of urbanites down whitewater rivers, Meyer honed her squatting skills and found she “wasn’t alone in the klutz department.” Her delightfully shameless discussion of a once-shameful activity, her erudite examination of its associated vocabulary, and her unapologetic promotion of its colorful vernacular make How to Shit in the Woods essential and vastly entertaining reading for anyone who’s ever paused at the edge of the forest and pondered: “Where do I go to go?”
How to Shit in the Woods, 3rd Edition
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“Kathleen Meyer has contributed to environmental awareness while lending a grand old English word the respectability it hasn’t had since Chaucer’s day.”
--FRANK GRAHAM, Audubon magazine
--FRANK GRAHAM, Audubon magazine
About the Author
A longtime outdoorswoman, KATHLEEN MEYER is the founding editor of Headwaters, published by Friends of the River. Her travel essays have been included in the Travelers’ Tales anthologies A Woman’s Passion for Travel: More True Stories from a Woman’s World and Sand in My Bra and Other Misadventures: Funny Women Write from the Road. Her adventure memoir Barefoot Hearted: A Wild Life Among Wildlife was released by Villard in 2001. Whitewater rafter and canoeist, sea-kayaker and sailor, she is also a draft horse teamster, having traversed three Rocky Mountain states by horse-drawn wagon. Ever the nontraditional spirit, Meyer resides in an old, rather unrestored, dairy barn in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley and is available for interviews. Visit her Website www.KathleenintheWoods.net and hop onto her blog Shooting the Shit
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Red
Format:Paperback
This book was more about being a book than being an informational guide. It's filled with all sorts of interesting facts that you may have never knew, and there's equally as many pleasing stories to help the book float along. However, if you took the practical information from this book you could put it all on a pamphlet of just a few pages.
To sum up the entire book:
Chapter 1. Why we poo, and the history of the toilet along with some amusing stories. Not practical.
Chapter 2. Dig your hole 6-8 inches deep because that's where bacteria that will help decompose your poo reside. Don't poo below the waterline or even the flood waterline, and do not do it close to any water source, and be mindful that It runs down hill.
Chapter 3. When you just can't dig a hole, figure it out. Lean back or spread wide then pack your poo out.
Chapter 4. Be sure to filter your water so you don't get the runs. If you do get the runs then be sure to clean up properly and leave no trace.
Chapter 5. For women, so admittedly I skimmed, but not much there that isn't common sense.
Chapter 6. When you have no T.P., try not to use plants. If you do, try to use dead plants and brush. If you have to use a live plant then do not massacre an entire plant or branch to satisfy your needs. Be selective and gather from multiple sources and use your common sense when using plants because some are sticky or pointy etc. As far as non-living T.P. goes, well, anything that works will work.
To sum up the entire book:
Chapter 1. Why we poo, and the history of the toilet along with some amusing stories. Not practical.
Chapter 2. Dig your hole 6-8 inches deep because that's where bacteria that will help decompose your poo reside. Don't poo below the waterline or even the flood waterline, and do not do it close to any water source, and be mindful that It runs down hill.
Chapter 3. When you just can't dig a hole, figure it out. Lean back or spread wide then pack your poo out.
Chapter 4. Be sure to filter your water so you don't get the runs. If you do get the runs then be sure to clean up properly and leave no trace.
Chapter 5. For women, so admittedly I skimmed, but not much there that isn't common sense.
Chapter 6. When you have no T.P., try not to use plants. If you do, try to use dead plants and brush. If you have to use a live plant then do not massacre an entire plant or branch to satisfy your needs. Be selective and gather from multiple sources and use your common sense when using plants because some are sticky or pointy etc. As far as non-living T.P. goes, well, anything that works will work.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
The author gives several very good suggestions for dealing with biological necessities when you're away from civilization.
There are two main schools of thought about human waste in the wild. Bury it or pack it out. The author gives several good suggested methods for both. She clearly favors packing it out, and makes a compelling case for it.
Whichever mindset you favor, the author gives several good, specific examples of ways to implement it.
There are two main schools of thought about human waste in the wild. Bury it or pack it out. The author gives several good suggested methods for both. She clearly favors packing it out, and makes a compelling case for it.
Whichever mindset you favor, the author gives several good, specific examples of ways to implement it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By xsurfer
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been going out in the woods a long time, but my wife is all city and was having the hardest time outdoors. Worse, she never wanted to talk about it. She would say it's too private. So I got this book and read it. Then I left it laying around until it wound up on her night stand. What a relief! First- with all of my camping experience I found out I didn't know as much as I thought I did. I learned alot, especially about how the laws and common practices have changed since I grew up. Plus, I read many good ideas I'd just never thought of before. As for my wife- she no longer dreads camping and we have a much better time together outdoors. So I guess you could say that this book has changed our lives.
4 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This remains a great resource for anyone spending time in the outdoors. Meyer has updated much information since the previous edition, including new studies and products. I recommend it highly for hikers, backpackers and campers.
By S. Swanson
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
great book, great gift. stands the test of time. i remembered this as a gift many many years ago and found it to be a perfect gift to give again!
By Debra K Rice
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As a re-issue, it does contain some new information though a great deal of the information is the same. While I purchased this issue to replace my much-earlier, dog-eared copy, I found the new equipment and contact information resources invaluable.
By Bob
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'd always heard positive things about this book, and figured it would be not only entertaining but educational in its chosen subject matter, and sure enough I was not disappointed.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By alex
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
it's more then just a joke title, it's a pretty good book for the average outdoorsman to read. I'd recomend it even if it's just a conversation starter to keep around the house.
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