Cat holes are the most primitive of the toilet options for nomads. Named after the tendency of domestic cats to bury their excreta[1], a cat hole is a small hole (typically 6-8in or 15-20cm depth), dug to contain solid waste. It is dug away from from the immediate campsite and water sources, and is covered after a single use. This method is discouraged in very dry regions since the waste will desiccate and then decompose very slowly, increasing the chance that it will bother someone else.
A multi-use variant is a slit-trench latrine, which is basically a series of cat hole dug at once in a straight line (a narrow trench). It is straddled and used at one end then that portion covered -- in this manner the trench gradually fills up from one end. Downsides are concentration of excreta in one area. Upsides include reduced overall digging effort, and the ability to use the latrine without digging an individual cat hole in each time. This method is especially useful when boondocking for several days in one location.
Toilet paper
Leaving toilet paper in the cat hole is a matter of local policy:
- where paper can be burned, it is burned in the hole - some boondocking sites recommend this
- where paper can be buried, it is left in the bottom of the hole.
- Where paper cannot be burned or buried, it is packed out in Ziploc bags or similar and disposed in the next available garbage recepticle.
In the United States, check the local BLM or National Forests website or printed materials for guidance on proper cat-holing procedure in the area.
Tools
The use of a narrow "trench spade" shovel will be easier than a broad-headed shovel in hard earth conditions. Plastic camping trowels are light weight, smaller in size than a spade and work well in soft soils. Metal garden trowels, while heavier, will stand up better to rocky or hard soils.
User secessus recommends a mattock for cat hole digging. Others have reported success with this portable version.
Resources
- leave no trace principles involving cat holes
- BLM camping guidelines (pdf)