Minimalist, no-trace alternatives?

[MCBushbaby]

Going over my pack to optimize it, trying to fit in some creature comforts for long treks without the added weight or losing touch with nature, and I'm trying some new things. Modifications of existing equipment, creation of new ones using simple items, etc

1) Trail Coffee
Commonly called Cowboy Coffee, but I don't want to give credit to cowboys for this, all you do is add grounds to boiling water. Let the water sit and the grounds will sink and it cools. Pour/drink.

2) Alternative to toilet paper
Without that whole shenanigan thread from last year, I'm trying to find a sanitary alternative to packing in/out toilet paper, moist towelettes, etc. This one may be tricky.

3) Washing clothes on the trail
Since you don't wash your big sleeping bag or puffy jacket, all you're concerned about is the undergarments that get stinky/unsanitary. 2+ gallon ziplog bag (reusable... make it heavy-duty), add water, camp soap, and your dirties. Shake/agitate and let sit. Rinse.

4) Hobo backpacking stove for winter or wet grounds
Found a simple can just smaller than my Snow Peak Trek 900. Orient the open side topwards. Cut an inverted triangle from the top ring to 3/4 the way down. Be sure to keep that top ring whole! It provides stability and support. Now cut a couple nickle-sized holes an inch or so from the bottom around the can, leaving an inch or so between each. Voila! Start building your tinder fire and then add your pot. because the can is whole for an inch or so from the bottom, you can place it in the snow or on wet ground without fear of extinguishing the coals. Heck, until you put a pot on you could float it in the bathtub! When done, scatter the ashed and store by nesting it inside your pot

I'll be coming up with some more alternatives to giving up comforts on the trail. Stay tuned

[primeelite]

The cowboy coffee really wouldn't be a good name for it even though some do call it that because people in eastern europe and the middle east have been drinking their coffee like that for thousands of years and still do to this day. Sometimes it is referred to as turkish coffee.

[Sarge47]

Don't drink coffee; don't like it! I drink lots & lots of Iced sweet tea. Drink it right out of a hard-plastic Nalgene bottle too! Here's the recipe. For each Nalgene bottle you use 2 cups of water & 1 Lipton family size tea bag. If I'm making enough tea for more than 1 bottle I'll add an extra tea bag. I put the bags right in the cold water, then heat it to boiling, bags & all. This makes it really strong! (WARNING: Caffeine Alert!) While the tea is heating I fill each Nalgene bottle to the rim with ice. When I'm done boiling the tea I strain out the bags, squeezing out every drop! Then I stir in 2 to 3 cups of sugar until it's totally dissolved. Finally I measure at least 2 cups of tea into each bottle. The hot tea melts some of the ice & usually fills the bottle. Remember, Tea quenches thirst, coffee aggravates it!

[MCBushbaby]

Ah, but I need that bite in the morning to get me going. I'll try the tea idea but I don't particularly like the idea of packing out used tea bags.

[Jay]

As Sarge said tea is good for quenching thirst. However, its even better if it is not too strong. weak cold tea is very refreshing on a hot day. but it is an acquired tates. Try it out.
j

[Sarge47]

Strong tea is my way of getting as close as I can to coffee! BTW, Mitch, you don't have to pack out the tea bags; simply tear open the bags and scatter the ORGANIC/BIO-DEGRADABLE tea leaves onto the ground, then either burn the bags or crush them up into really small balls & the space the take up is very minimal. However, I'm not "dissing" coffee, most everyone; especially Americans, like drinking it! I'm just one of those strange ones that have a horrible dislike to the taste! Go figure!

[Pal334]

Mmm,, Sarge, a curmudgeon AND a non coffee drinker?

[tsitenha]

Bush tea for me, as long as I can remember...there was always a pot of tea by the fire.

[crashdive123]

I'm just one of those strange ones

Now that explains a lot!

[Badawg]

1) Trail Coffee
Commonly called Cowboy Coffee, but I don't want to give credit to cowboys for this, all you do is add grounds to boiling water. Let the water sit and the grounds will sink and it cools. Pour/drink.

2) Alternative to toilet paper
Without that whole shenanigan thread from last year, I'm trying to find a sanitary alternative to packing in/out toilet paper, moist towelettes, etc. This one may be tricky.

1) A loose tea ball actually works pretty well for course ground coffee, bot the water has to be boiling when you pour it into(an over) your tea ball.

2) What? You don't like the poop tube? http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Poop-Tube

What I have been doing for years is the "cat-hole, TP, and lighter fluid trick"

Dig your cat hole, Poop, wipe, a little lighter fluid/white gas onto the tp and light it. When out, bury the mess. Hint: Stand UPWIND of the brown smoke

[MCBushbaby]

What I have been doing for years is the "cat-hole, TP, and lighter fluid trick"

Poop tube (giggles) and dry bag aside, I think I like the lighter fluid idea the best. Would HEET alcohol work as well? Would save me from carrying multiple fuel types

[Alpine_Sapper]

Burning TP in the bush can be a bad idea. Tickets/fines and people who don't know how to control the fire are two of the primary reasons I can think of that it's a bad idea, but hey, if you want to be the one burning down acres of pristine forestland or polluting it with the stench of burning fecal matter, go right ahead. If I have to smell it I'm probably going to let my akita make the point that it's a bad idea. Just my .02.

You can buy freaking bio-degradeable teabags on the tea isle in the grocery store. You may pay a little more, but you can bury them and be clear of conscience that you contributed trash to the environemnt. Just don't burn your damn toilet paper to make up for that little assistance to mother nature.

And, what do you have against cowboys, padnuh?

[RunsWithDeer]

Why not stick with "natural" toilet paper? Leaves, grasses, and such.

[MCBushbaby]

In the winter that's a bit tough

[SARKY]

You can always do what the Romans did..... sponge on a stick and a container of vinegar to disinfect it. Just remember ..... don't use the vinegar on your salad afterwards...UGH!

[MCBushbaby]

I thought it was saltwater? Anyways, nah, I'll pass on the sponge. I have no problem taking a **** in the woods, I'm just trying to find an alternative to packing toilet paper or other disposables. Something reusable, something like a teflon cloth that is totally ****-proof. heh, if only there was such a thing.

[MCBushbaby]

hmm, random

[RunsWithDeer]

Don't laugh, I hiked with a guy once that used a home made poop tube made from PVC pipe. It was summer, and you can imagine the stink after 3 days. I stuck with digging a hole.

[nell67]

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Poop tube! Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum. Poop tube...



http://www.armysurpluswarehouse.com/...oilet-3724.cfm

Multi use bucket??? What on earth would you use it for after using it for the intended purpose????

[MCBushbaby]

almost looks like you could use it as a thermos (sick!?). Almost looks doublewalled