Toileting tips on Duke of Edinburgh

Toileting Tips for Silver and Gold doFE Participants

When you’re out on a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) expedition, particularly at the Silver and Gold levels, the challenge isn’t just navigating the mountains or keeping up with the pace. One of the often-overlooked parts of wild camping is managing toilet needs, especially when you’re in remote areas with no access to public toilets. Being mindful of your environmental impact and adhering to Scotland’s Leave No Trace principles is essential for preserving the natural beauty of the places you visit. In this blog, we’ll cover practical tips for managing toileting during your DofE expedition while ensuring that you respect the wild environment you’re exploring.

Leave No Trace

In Scotland, the Leave No Trace (LNT) policy is critical for minimizing the human impact on the wilderness. The goal is to leave no evidence of your presence, especially in sensitive natural areas such as national parks or areas like the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs. For DofE participants, this means you’ll need to manage your toilet waste responsibly when you’re wild camping.

LNT encourages taking every possible step to ensure that your toilet habits don’t leave a lasting impact on the environment. This includes both solid and liquid waste. Proper waste disposal is key to preventing pollution of streams, rivers, or soil and protecting wildlife. Scotland’s National Parks and wilderness areas are beautiful, but they are also vulnerable, and everyone must do their part to keep them pristine.

Public Toilets in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs

When you’re walking in certain parts of Scotland, such as the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, you’ll have the advantage of accessing public toilets at various locations along the way. These facilities are typically located in popular areas such as visitor centres, campsites, or near trailheads, making it easy for you to take a break and take care of business when needed. However, when you’re out in the wild, you won’t always have access to these conveniences.

It’s a good idea to plan your route so that you can take advantage of public toilets in between your wild camping spots. You can use the Scottish Outdoor Access Code to research available facilities along your route. If you find yourself at a campsite, you’ll often find toilets provided, especially in more developed or managed locations. Make sure to check your route in advance to avoid the discomfort of needing to go without options!

When you venture into the wilderness without access to public toilets, you’ll need to be prepared to manage your toilet needs yourself. Here’s a list of items you’ll need to bring to safely and responsibly take care of business in the wild:

1. Trowel (for digging a hole): A small trowel or digging tool is essential for digging a “cat hole,” which is a small hole used to bury human waste. A depth of at least 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) is necessary to ensure the waste is buried deep enough to decompose properly.

2. Toilet Paper and Wipes: Carrying toilet paper is a must, but remember, you should pack out all used toilet paper. Do not burn or leave it behind. Use a resealable plastic bag to carry used toilet paper and wet wipes back to a proper disposal facility. Wet wipes should be biodegradable if possible, but still pack them out.

3. Waste Disposal Bags: Some areas may require or recommend the use of waste disposal bags, particularly for solid waste. These bags are designed to seal waste in a hygienic way and can be packed out once you’re back to civilization. Companies like “Restop” sell these bags specifically designed for this purpose.

4. Hand Sanitizer: After using the toilet, hand hygiene is crucial. Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer to use once you’ve finished. This is especially important when you’re handling your trowel, toilet paper, and waste disposal bags.

5. Plastic Bags for Waste: For liquid waste, it’s advised to use a small, sealable bag to collect urine, particularly in areas where it might be difficult to find an appropriate spot to relieve yourself or where water sources are near. Alternatively, you can use a “pee funnel” or similar device designed for females to make urinating in the wild more comfortable and hygienic.

6. Biodegradable Soap (optional): If you need to wash your hands or other parts of your body, be sure to use biodegradable soap. Always wash away from water sources and be sure to use as little soap as possible.

7. Additional Clothing: Make sure you have suitable clothing for privacy, such as a lightweight, quick-drying waterproof jacket or windbreakers that you can use to shield yourself from view when nature calls.

Using the Toilet When There’s No Public Toilet

If you find yourself in a wild camping spot without access to a toilet or other facilities, follow these steps to ensure you’re adhering to Leave No Trace principles:

1. Choose the Right Spot: Find a secluded spot at least 30 meters away from any water sources, trails, or campsites. This helps ensure that waste doesn’t pollute streams or disturb other adventurers.

2. Dig a Hole: Use your trowel to dig a hole 6-8 inches deep. Make sure it’s large enough to bury your waste completely. After using the hole, cover it with soil and pack down the dirt to prevent animals from digging it up.

3. Pack Out Toilet Paper and Wipes: Never leave toilet paper behind, even if it’s biodegradable. Pack it in a sealed plastic bag, and take it with you when you leave. Wet wipes are also considered a form of litter if left behind, so always take them out of the wilderness.

4. Urine: Urine is less of a problem for the environment, but you should still aim to urinate away from water sources to prevent contamination. A pee funnel or disposable bags can help ensure hygiene for females, making urination in the wild more comfortable and discrete.

5. Clean Up Properly: After you’ve finished, make sure to properly wash your hands using biodegradable soap and sanitizers as necessary. You’ll want to avoid touching anything else without cleaning your hands first.

Conclusion

Toileting in the wild during a DofE Silver or Gold expedition doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By taking the right equipment and following Leave No Trace principles, you can manage your toilet needs in a responsible way while minimizing your environmental impact. Remember that when there are public toilets along the way in places like Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, it’s a good idea to take advantage of them, but in more remote areas, it’s crucial to be prepared for wild camping conditions. By planning ahead and packing the right gear, you can ensure a cleaner, more enjoyable experience for both you and the environment.

At My Adventure, we are a provider that delivers the expedition phase of the Duke of Edinburgh Award for schools and private groups across Scotland. Our qualified and experienced guides work alongside the school/ group to help each member achieve goals and develop skills that are valuable for life, at the same time as enjoying the Duke of Edinburgh Award journey. 

If you enjoyed this blog article and are looking for additional information about adventures from Edinburgh, we have published a number of other blogs:

• Top Ten tips for your Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition here
• Managing your period on your DofE Expedition here
• A guide to the Duke of Edinburgh Award: here
• A guide to the Duke of Edinburgh Award: Silver here 
• A guide to the Duke of Edinburgh Award: Gold here
• Duke of Edinburgh award: Essential equipment: here
• Top Tips for Backpacking in Scotland: here
• The best head torches for adventures in the outdoors: here

If you haven’t already seen it, check out the Intrepidus Outdoors Trip Advisor, Youtube channel, Visit Scotland page and blog to hear about how others found their outdoor adventures with us!