Nithyam Nachappa
Let's get the awkward part out of the way.
One of the biggest fears many first-time backpackers have isn't river crossings, steep passes, or carrying a heavy backpack.
It's 💩 outdoors!
Most Indian trekkers are used to using toilet tents on guided treks. You walk into a tent, close the zip, do your business, and move on.
But, Backpacking is different.
There are no toilet tents. No pits dug by support staff. No camp infrastructure waiting for you. Just you, the mountains, and a skill every outdoor person eventually learns.
And we get it, It's difficult to think about it before actually doing it. But trust us, it gets better.
The good news? The Himalayas make it easier than you'd expect
After a couple of days, most people realize it's much easier, cleaner, and more comfortable than they imagined.
In fact, some begin to enjoy it.
Why It's Not As Scary As You Think
If you've noticed the routes we backpack on, like Parang La, Bara Bhangal, Kang La, Pin Parvati Pass, all these routes are incredibly remote.
You're not sharing the landscape with hundreds of trekkers. No crowded camps. No one accidentally walking past. Privacy is usually the least of your worries.
In fact, your biggest challenge is often deciding which mountain view you'd like while answering nature's call.
Why We Don't Use Toilet Tents on Backpacking Trips
Most guided treks in the Himalayas use bio-toilet tents. While the idea is good, the reality is more complicated.
Large groups require:
- Large pits
- Large tents
- Additional logistics
- Repeated impact at campsites
When thousands of people visit the same area throughout the season, the environmental footprint adds up quickly.
Our backpacking groups are usually just 6-8 people with not more than 2 teams in a month. We travel through remote landscapes, visit infrequently, and follow Leave No Trace practices.
A few properly dug catholes spread across a large landscape create minimal impact and allow the mountains to remain wild. This is how people have travelled through these regions for generations.
So, What's Our System on Backpacking Trips?
At Odyssey, every backpacker is responsible for their own toilet routine. Don't worry, we won't just point at a mountain and wish you luck.
We'll teach you:
- How to choose a suitable spot
- How far to stay from water sources and camp
- How to dig a proper cat-hole
- Leave No Trace practices
- Camp systems that maintain privacy and safety
What To Carry
Your personal toilet kit should contain:
- Toilet paper
- Small trowel or shovel (provided)
- Hand sanitizer
- Zip-lock bag for waste paper if needed
- Optional: Portable bidet bottle
That's it.
Choosing the Right Spot
A good toilet spot should be:
- At least 60-70 meters away from any water source
- Away from trails and campsites
- Hidden from view
- On soil that can be dug easily
- Away from animal activity if possible
Avoid river banks, stream edges, meadows close to camp, and fragile alpine vegetation.
If you're unsure, ask your backpacking instructor.
How To Dig a Proper Cat-hole
Following Leave No Trace principles:
Dig down about 15-20 cm, roughly the length of your hand from wrist to fingertip. Wide enough to be functional, not so wide you're excavating. Do your business, then replace the soil in the reverse order you removed it, so the organic topsoil sits on top where decomposition actually happens. Disguise the mound with a rock or a stick. In two weeks, you'd never know it was there.
Our Camp System (And the Legendary Poop Pole)
Every backpacking trip develops its own camp traditions.
One of our favourites is the "poop pole."
If someone headed off for a toilet break, we'd place a trekking pole pointing in that direction.
Translation:
"Occupied. Please choose another direction."
Once they returned, the pole is removed.
We also often encourage buddy systems, especially in unfamiliar terrain or after dark.
For women who have been quietly wondering
Many women arrive worried about privacy. Almost all leave wondering why they worried so much.
A few things that help:
- Go with a buddy if it makes you feel more comfortable
- Carry a small personal hygiene kit
- Identify a suitable area during daylight if needed
- Communicate openly with the instructor if you have concerns
Backpacking instructors deal with these questions all the time and are happy to help.
The Unexpected Perks of Outdoor Toilets
Let's be honest. Most toilets aren't exactly memorable.
But imagine: Morning sun on a remote mountain pass, a quiet valley with nobody around, fresh air, no smell, no walls, no queue. Just you and the landscape (of your choice)There's something oddly freeing about it.
For a brief moment, you're reminded that humans lived outdoors long before they lived indoors.
You stop being a visitor in nature and become part of it.
If you're still feeling unsure, that's completely normal.
Your backpacking instructor is there to help. Whether it's questions about privacy, hygiene, safety, Leave No Trace practices, or simply finding a good spot, don't hesitate to ask.
Embrace the experience, trust the process, and who knows, you might just end up with the best toilet view of your life.
