RIVER CAMPING 101- Ohhhhhhhhh Cr. . .

[sugarmtngal]

very good information. Thanks paddlegal for the site. I'd like to suggest that on our next trip on the Buffalo or wherever the water is at the time; that we bring along a portable/collapsable porta potty; just to have some privacy and not have to climb thru the weeds,'stickerbushes' - prevent the midnight falling into holes, etc. I just need to know where to purchase one new/used...................

[Bob Stout]

Gretchen, Oakieboater posted a site, http://www.cascadeoutfitters.com that is currently running a sale on the PETT system.

[sugarmtngal]

Thanks Bob- I sometimes have trouble focusing on this board while at work! Hope Richard has dates for the next paddle trip! It is actually raining steady and maybe we'll get some snow :shock: Hope to see you out there!

[sugarmtngal]

A PUP Privacy Tent! For a mere $129 dollars....................

[okieboater]

Pooping Privacy is not cheap!

[Richard]

Pooping Privacy is not cheap!

But it doesn't have to be high cost either.

sugarmtngal, I may be taking a contrarian position but I would just hold it for now.

As far as a $129 privacy tent, I like the Outback porta-privey for about 1/3 the price. And the luggable loo with with bucket is $15 or $10 for the seat and you can get the bucket for free from restaurants etc.

check amazon for the PETT.

[Bob Stout]

Richard and I have identical "poop/shower" tents we purchased a few years ago at Bass-Pro in OKC for less than $50 on the way back from an Ozark Society Colo trip (I do enjoy that upper Ark River rafting.) Since Richard always brings his, mine has been put up one time.

[RIORESIDENT]

I hardly ever set up anything for said privacy, but when i have, i have used the "oars-op" system. basically three rings welded together in the middle. slide three oars thru the ring, and walla, a Tee-pee. it is covered with a basic 8x10 blue tarp, and some bungy cords. overall cost, about 12 bucks.

as far as cleaning goes on the eco-safe, make sure you either use a non stick cooking spray, or vegetable oil. I have found vegetable oil works real good, i pour about a cup of it in, slosh it around real good, and its all ready. as far as the actual dumping, if you will not fill it, you can add some water from the dump station site, this will dilute the stuff, and make the dumping very smooth.

the only complaint I have with the eco-safe is the lid design, the threads can get pretty mucked up with nastyness, but a small scrub brush will take care of this fine. I use simple green after it has been rinsed, and i use about a half cup per box.

congrats on your recent purchase Bob, for the $$$ i don't think there is a better box on the market.

Now, for 4 times the price, check out the partner steel JohnnyPartner. Very, Nice

Rio~

[okieboater]

Kind of strange how things work out on multi day river trips.

Back in 1991, I made my first Grand Canyon Trip. It was a Bob Foote canoe Commercial outfitter deal with a few of us USA types but mostly Canadians' - men and women maybe two thirds men and one third women. Quite a few husband and wife folks, others mostly married types but without their spouses. Not that young and not that old of a group. Basically general type every day folks.

First day at the put in, there was a lot of folks standing around getting introduced etc and I think we were all wondering how we would get along on (if memory correct) a 14 day trip on the river.

First few days on the river, the big Partner Steel Throne toilet was carried off some distance for total privacy.

Very quickly that Partner Steel toilet system (man it was heavy - took two of us to carry it) got closer and closer to the gear boat.

By the last half of the trip, the toilet throne was set up close to the gear boat, mostly in plain view of everyone and the group would just holler or wave when they were setting on the Throne can. Not a big deal and not much to see when someone is setting on the seat or wiping their rear.

My point here is on a river trip most folks get to the point that taking a dump is not a big deal requiring a lot of privacy. But of course, some people do like pooping privacy and that's ok, just bring your privacy mechanism along like the speciality tents and things will be fine.

I have noticed that on most western river trips the "groover" is set up on some scenic spot away from the main camp but in full view of the river. I have lost count of the number of times I have been setting on the groover when another trip floated by, they wave and I waved back and no one thought much about it. I think this is just the way it is.

Light cold rain off and on in Tulsa!

[sugarmtngal]

Glad to save $ "a penny saved is a penny earned". Appreciate this valuable info from you all! A co-worker's neighbor is selling all her kayak/camping gear! If she finds her Pup potty tent she'll give it to me

[Richard]

I went to the Buffalo River website and read what they had to say about human waste. Very little actually. Just mentioned catholes. The shocker was that they suggested putting the TP in the hole as well. So I have emailed requesting more information. Also emailed Kathleen Meyer, inviting her to chime in. No response yet from either one.

[okieboater]

Rio has the right idea with veggie oil.

I like PAM. Spray it on grills before you grill, skillets before you fry, Dutch ovens before you bake, boilers before you boil sticky things like beans, squeeky oar locks and lastly a couple layers on the inside of your Eco Safe or groover rocket boxes before you put them out for use. Never used the veggie oil, but that might in fact be better than PAM especially if you have a cup or so in there to keep things slippery.

also like Rio, I have that three ring system for oar handles. not having the welding skills Rio has I purchased mine. The same system Rio uses for the groover privacy works great to hook up a Sun Shower as you can stick the sun shower bag on top of the oar based tripod - very strong system.

[Bob Stout]

I agree with Dave & Rio - on all the multi-day trips that I've made on western rivers (and I'm basically a beginner) - we've set up the grover in a location away from camp with a beautiful view of the river. A bandanna attached to a snap, or such is attached to a bush, or what ever is available on the path to the grover - whoever heads for the grover takes it with them - if it's missing, the grover is in use. To save space in the grover, urine goes directly into the river. Western river trips, as you can probably tell, make one lose lots of inhibitions.

It's good to hear of the triple ring for the oar teepee for showers, etc. on raft trips -- I did say that I was a novice

Yes Rio, I saw the steel Partner -- perhaps next time

[Richard]

Solo trips:

About cat holes. . . when possible on a trip things should do double duty. I am not good at squating so here is a solution if you are by yourself and having to do the cat hole thing. The web strap used to get your canoe/kayak to the river does double duty. Simply dig your cat hole near a tree. Buckle the strap aroung the tree and you and lean back. Walla!

If you choose to take it out, think wrap
http://www.wetdawg.com/pages/touring/ka ... dex_sk.php

[Sasquatch]

A group of paddlers had a deep discussion on this matter last night at the party. What impression does a western river tripper have when they come to Arkansas? To float a wild and scenic Federal protected river. Then find crap piles everywhere?

Should the club lobby to have the rules changed to carry out only?
Your thoughts?