Whether on a trek or following a routine life, hygiene has a crucial role to play. According to the World Health Organization, “Hygiene refers to conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases”
The real question is “How do we manage personal hygiene and toilets during the treks”?
This comprehensive guide is written to address the importance of waste management in treks and not contaminate our surroundings during the process.
Given the exponential growth of people’s expeditions toward the mountains in the past few years, it’s a no-brainer we ought to look after its high maintenance and safeguard it from getting polluted.
However, due to the excessive crowd in the Himalayas and lack of awareness, the trekkers sometimes are reckless about themselves and nature, resulting in various ecological challenges and affecting their health alike.
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Importance of Proper Waste Management:
In the higher elevations of the Himalayan treks, harsh weather conditions, remote areas, and limited infrastructure and urbanization make it a daunting challenge to find well-made washrooms or toilets to pee and poop. Under such complications, people often do their business just anywhere without being worried about its decomposition, and that’s where the problem starts.
The improper management of man waste causes:
- The unpleasant and strong odor of the waste can attract wild animals, posing a risk to our safety.
- Infectious diseases can be spread and cause multiple health problems, later leading to deadly health hazards.
- Water contamination occurs through the waste flowing downwards and merging with the water streams leading to waterborne disease.
How does “HDT” manage toilets during the trek?
Coming to the main topic, let’s discuss human waste, and how “Himalayan Dream Treks” manage toilets during high-altitude treks,” which is one of the main concerns of the trekkers.
At “HDT” we recognize the need to create a balance between environmental wellness and our customers’ satisfaction. So, to achieve this, we utilize the best current facility of Dry Pit Washrooms.
What is a Dry Pit Washroom?
A dry pit washroom basically consists of a pit hole in the ground that we dig for humans to excrete. These washrooms do not promote flush systems and are generally found in remote areas. The pits are not connected with either of the sewers; they just naturally decompose in a few days.
The reason for their existence is the shortage of required man-made materials to set up full-fledged toilets, and even if we create them, maintaining them in the harsh climate of mountains is a difficult task.
Due to the limited availability of water resources up there, we settle for these dry toilets, ensuring that our clients do not face any difficulty simultaneously.
So basically, what we do is install temporary tents at some distances that are zippered, providing our users with enough privacy. Inside it, we fix a toilet seat for clients to sit on and do their business. Afterward, they are required to put some sand over it to get it easily decomposed in the soil. These tents are also equipped with small pockets to put their bathroom essentials.
But, we kindly request you not to bring or use any kind of wet wipes on treks as they generally include plastics and are very hard to decompose. They can serve as a threat to the local ecosystem as well.
Types of Toilets during the trek
When we start our journey to the Himalayas, we must know that we’ll come across different facilities at different heights. And even sometimes, there are no facilities, just limitations, and inadequacies, so to cope with these challenges and to be pre-prepared, let’s give you a brief description of the types of toilets on treks:
- Pit Hole Toilets:
These are basic pit holes that we dig on the ground with the help of shovels and are some feet deep to collect human waste. You are not allowed to use water in such holes as they’re a type of dry toilet. On finishing, you should cover the hole with the dug soil so its smell does not reach insects and animals.
- Portable Toilets:
As the name suggests, the trekkers can carry the light-weighted portable toilets with them. Portable toilets use a chemical system for the human waste to decay hygienically and do not require water.
These toilets are also known as mobile toilets and have a lockable door. Some toilets can even be molded like a mat and are easy to travel with.
- Eco-friendly Composting:
Eco-friendly toilets are known for their biological decomposition of human waste, called composting. Here, we utilize cocopeat and such byproducts that quicken the breakdown process. It is one of the most sustainable ways of managing waste using no water at high elevations.
Common Practices to follow during treks:
1. Apply disposable methods for Human Waste: This statement applies that as soon as we do our business, we should be responsible for its proper disposable management as well. If we leave the waste uncovered, it will end up draining into a water resource, which poses the risk of waterborne diseases.
2. Maximum use of Biodegradable Products: To preserve our nature, wildlife, and environment, we should only carry products that are easy to decay and do not exfoliate the raw essence from our ecosystem. Because of their lower impact on the biosphere, they are ideal for use in outdoor settings.
3. We should also encourage other group members to adopt biodegradable elements to reduce the risks of pollution.
4. Follow “Leave No Trace” Principles: The “Leave No Trace” guideline is an educational draft that consists of various principles to follow while on the trek or hike. These principles were penned down for trekkers to respect nature and discourage activities that could potentially harm it.
It also mentions the “disposal of waste properly” rule, which is a mandated task for us to follow.
5. Usage & Maintenance of Portable Toilets: If you’re trekking alone or without any guide or agency and plan to use portable washrooms, please remember to dispose of toilet paper properly.
These toilets are often in need of constant cleaning to maintain hygiene. Along with using portable toilets, make sure to carry a plastic bag so that you don’t disobey the littering rule.
Role of Himalayan Dream Treks:
In maintaining standards and setting exemplary sanitized toilet facilities for the clients, at Himalayan Dream Treks we are greatly responsible. We are obliged to comply with our duties and provide you with a wonderful trekking experience with all the amenities.
- As told above, HDT sets up toilet tents near our campsites, which ensures both the safety and hygiene of our customers.
- Before embarking on the trek, we make sure to make each trekker aware of the proper etiquette of Dry pit toilets.
- We also encourage and promote the importance of proper waste management rather than just leaving them open to the environment.
- We are always two steps ahead to ensure that all our customers follow the local rules and regulations and do not harm nature in any way possible.
Tips to remain hygienic during treks:
There are some miscellaneous tips to take care of your personal hygiene which we would like to share with you:
- You must carry enough toilet paper, but be responsible for its disposal.
- Pack your essential toiletries like sanitizer, masks, toothbrushes, soap, etc, and be careful of sharing because it might give space to transferable diseases.
- If you’re on your menstrual cycle or it is due between trek days, be mindful to bring several sanitary pads and carefully dispose of them. You can also use a menstrual cup and dispose of its contents using the same dry pit method.
- You must carry a trash bag, too, and not litter the non-biodegradable items here and there.
Wrapping Up –
Managing personal hygiene and toilet needs during a Himalayan trek is as crucial as the trek preparation itself. While it may not be the most glamorous aspect of mountain adventures, but it is an essential aspect that we must take it seriously.
By following the guidelines outlined in this guide – from using dry pit toilets responsibly to carrying biodegradable products and adhering to Leave No Trace principles – we can all contribute to maintaining the ecological balance of the Himalayas as it is our duty as trekkers. Whether you’re trekking with HDT or planning your own adventure, let’s commit to keeping our mountain clean and safe for everyone who dreams of experiencing its magic.
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