Hiking Portable Toilet

Hiking portable toilets mainly come in two types of solutions: simple pit toilets and specially designed products. There are also related commercial products on the market, but the facilities on some hiking trails are still inadequate.

In wilderness areas where primitive camping is allowed, simple pit toilets are a common option. Choose a location far from water sources, campsites, and trails, and dig a shallow pit about 15 to 20 centimeters deep. After use, mix the waste with soil and bury it. This method strictly adheres to the "Leave No Trace" outdoor ethics principle to minimize the impact on the natural environment.

There are various types of specially designed hiking portable toilet products. Small folding toilets have a simple structure, usually consisting of a lightweight metal or plastic frame that can be unfolded to form a toilet seat. A collection bag, such as a disposable emergency bag or a thickened trash bag, is placed underneath. These toilets combine the comfort of a portable toilet with the convenience of a collection bag, making them suitable for backpack camping. Portable toilets generally consist of a seat, a frame, and a detachable waste bucket or bag. Some models also come with a tent to provide privacy, making them more suitable for family self-driving camping or RV travel.

There are also commercial hiking portable toilet products on the market. The portable toilets provided by merchants for hiking trails fall into the categories of small public toilets, simple restrooms, and portable waterless flushing mobile dry toilets. They start at 800.00 yuan per square meter and can be customized. They are suitable for outdoor public places such as scenic spots and train stations, and have features such as easy installation. The operating temperature range is from -40 to 50 degrees Celsius. Dezhou Hongtu Metal Products Co., Ltd. offers a four-squat-position portable toilet that is 4 meters long, 2.3 meters wide, and has a pointed roof. The exterior walls are made of heat-insulating metal carved panels, and the price is less than 20,000 yuan.

However, the portable toilet facilities on some hiking trails are not well-developed. For example, on the hiking trail in Tiger Leaping Gorge, Yunnan, there was a situation where a few rusty steel frames were used as toilets. These were actually the "unfinished products" after the canopy of a farmer's self-built store's附属设施 (ancillary facilities) was removed due to environmental protection requirements. Public facilities in this area are scarce, and hikers face difficulties in finding toilets.