Backcountry Sanitation MANUAL - Appalachian Trail Conservancy

329 Pages·2014·11.06 MB·English

2nd Edition
Backcountry Sanitation
MANUAL
Accessible Moldering Privy

APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY USDA FOREST SERVICE

GREEN MOUNTAIN CLUB
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
i
Backcountry
Sanitation Manual
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ii
Contents
Preface
viii
1
Part
1
A Brief History of Northeastern Backcountry Use and Backcountry Sanitation
Management 20
2
The Importance of Backcountry Sanitation Management 22
2.1 BASIC QUESTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
2.2 HUMAN WASTE IN THE BACKCOUNTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
2.3 SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
3
The Decomposition and Composting Process 27
3.1 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
3.2 VARIABLES AFFECTING COMPOSTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
3.3 DECOMPOSER ORGANISMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
3.4 CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMAN WASTE AFFECTING DECOMPOSITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3.5 DECOMPOSITION IN TYPICAL BACKCOUNTRY TOILETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
4
Health and Safety Issues 33
4.1 OVERVIEW OF PATHOGENS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
4.2 CONDITIONS THAT DESTROY PATHOGENS AND PARASITES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
4.3 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
4.5 NOROVIRUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
4.4 HANTAVIRUS PULMONARY SYNDROME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
2
Part
5
Integrating Backcountry Sanitation and Local Management Planning 43
6
Introduction to the Regulatory Process 43
6.1 OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
6.2 CURRENT POLICIES ADDRESSING BACKCOUNTRY SANITATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
6.3 A PROPOSAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
6.4 ADDITIONAL REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
7
The Aesthetics of Backcountry Sanitation Systems 48
7.1 OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
7.2 GUIDELINES ON AESTHETICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
7.3 FACTORS IN LOCATING SANITATION FACILITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
iii
3
Part
8
The Moldering Privy 52
8.1 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
8.2 RATIONALE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE MOLDERING PRIVY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
8.3 WHAT A MOLDERING PRIVY IS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
8.4 ABOUT THE RED WIGGLER WORM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
8.5 COMPARISON OF THE MOLDERING PRIVY WITH OTHER COMPOSTING TOILETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
8.6 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RED WIGGLER WORMS AND MOLDERING PRIVIES . . . .60
8.7 COMPONENTS OF THE GMC MOLDERING PRIVY SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
8.8 SOURCES OF MATERIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
8.9 CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS—ORIGINAL GMC SINGLE CRIB DESIGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
8.10 ADVANCE PREPARATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
8.11 FIELD ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
8.12 EVOLUTION OF CURRENT GMC DESIGNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
9
Batch-Bin Composting 71
9.1 BACKGROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
9.2 HOW THE BATCH-BIN COMPOSTING SYSTEM WORKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
9.3 COMPONENTS OF THE BATCH-BIN COMPOSTING SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
9.4 BULKING AGENT TRANSPORT OPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
9.5 OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
9.6 THE FINISHED PRODUCT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
9.7 COMPOSTING RECORDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
9.8 SPRING START-UP PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
9.9 END-OF-THE-SEASON PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
9.10 WINTER OPERATING PROCEDURE (USUALLY OPTIONAL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
10
Liquid Separation in Composting Systems (AMC’s Beyond-the-Bin System) 95
10.1 WHEN TO USE A BEYOND-THE-BIN-SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
10.2 OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
10.3 BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
10.4 DRYING THE END PRODUCT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
10.5 INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
10.6 CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
4
Part
11
Case Studies 102
11.1 MOLDERING PRIVY ON THE GRAFTON LOOP TRAIL IN MAINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
11.2 AIRLIFT HAUL-OUT SYSTEMS AT THE AMC IN NEW HAMPSHIRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
iv
11.3 DIRECT DEPOSIT SYSTEMS AT THE AMC HIGH MOUNTAIN HUTS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE . . . . . . . .103
11.4 THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB CLIVUS MULTRUM COMPOSTING TOILET IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
11.5 RANDOLPH MOUNTAIN CLUB COMPOSTING TOILET SYSTEM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE – RETROFITTING
A LARGE CONTINOUS COMPOSTER TO A BATCH BIN SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
11.6 MOLDERING PRIVY ON THE A.T. AT LITTLE ROCK POND SHELTER IN VERMONT . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
11.7 AT HOME WITH THE CLIVUS MULTRUM IN VERMONT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
11.8 PROTOTYPE WOOD-FIRED COMPOST INCINERATORS IN VERMONT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
11.9 ACCESSIBLE COMPOSTING PRIVIES ON THE A.T. IN VERMONT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
11.10 MOLDERING PRIVIES ON THE A.T. IN MASSACHUSETTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
11.11 MOLDERING PRIVIES ON THE A.T. IN CONNECTICUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
11.12 FIELD REPORT: COMPOSTING TOILET DESIGN AND OPERATION ON THE A.T. IN PENNSYLVANIA.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123
11.13 MOLDERING PRIVIES IN MARYLAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
11.14 FIELD REPORT: MOLDERING PRIVIES IN VIRGINIA: THOMAS KNOB SHELTER ON MOUNT ROGERS,
VIRGINIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
11.15 FIELD REPORT: MOLDERING PRIVIES IN NORTH CAROLINA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
11.16 FIELD REPORT: MOLDERING PRIVIES IN GEORGIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
12
The Decision-Making Process 130
12.1 DETERMINING THE BEST OPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131
12.2 THE ROLE OF VOLUNTEERS AND FIELD STAFF IN MAINTENANCE OF A REMOTE BATCH-BIN
COMPOSTING SYSTEM ON VERMONT’S LONG TRAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
12.3 BACKCOUNTRY SANITATION SYSTEM DECISION MAKING MATRIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
13
Gray Water Management in the Backcountry 137
13.1 WHAT GRAY WATER IS AND WHY IT NEEDS MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
13.2 SOURCES OF GRAY WATER IN THE BACKCOUNTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
13.3 MANAGEMENT OPTIONS FOR GRAY WATER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
13.4 DESIGNATED WASHING AREAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
13.5 GRAY WATER CHUTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
13.6 WASH WATER TRICKLE FILTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
13.7 GRAY WATER MANAGEMENT AT APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB HUTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
13.8 REGULATORY ISSUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
APPENDICES
A
Glossary of Terms Appendix144
B
Troubleshooting and General Composting Tips Appendix145
B.1 TROUBLESHOOTING BATCH-BIN AND BEYOND THE- BIN SYSTEMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix145
B.2 TROUBLESHOOTING MOLDERING PRIVIES AND CONTINUOUS COMPOSTING SYSTEMS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix148
v
B.3 GENERAL COMPOSTING TIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix151
C
About the Organizations Behind this Manual Appendix152
D
Contact List April 2014 Appendix154
D.1 APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY AND REGIONAL OFFICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix154
D.2 APPALACHIAN TRAIL PARK OFFICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix155
D.3 TRAIL-MAINTAINING CLUBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix155
D.4 REGULATORY CONTACTS FOR THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL, LISTED BY STATE . . . . . . . Appendix156
D.5 OTHER ORGANIZATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix160
D.6 COMMERCIAL COMPOSTING TOILET MANUFACTURERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix161
E
Bibliography Appendix161
F
Examples of Current Outhouse Stewardship Signs Appendix163
G
Sources of Materials for GMC Batch-bin System Appendix164
H
Plans for a Double-Chambered Moldering Privy (non accessible) Appendix164
I
Plans for a Drying Rack Appendix165
J
Diagram of a Washpit Appendix166
K
Backcountry Sanitation: A Review of Literature and Related Information
Appendix167
K.1 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix167
K.2 THE EARLIEST RESEARCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix167
K.3 DEVELOPMENT OF METHODS AND RESEARCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix168
K.4 WORKSHOPS AND PROCEEDINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix169
K.5 CURRENT STATE OF KNOWLEDGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix170
K.6 LITERATURE CITED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appendix171
L
The Application of a Solar Hot Box To Pasteurize Toilet Compost In Yosemite
National Park Appendix174
M
Examples of Regulatory Correspondence Appendix178
N
Articles from ATC’s Newsletter, The Register Appendix179
O
Plans for a Wooden Packboard Appendix181
P
Plans for a Compost Bin Lid Appendix182
Q
USFS Region 8 Accessible Moldering Privy Plans Appendix183
R
USFS Region 9 Accessible Moldering Privy Plans Appendix184
S
Accessible Batch Bin and Moldering Privy Plans Appendix185
vi
T
Plans for a Batch Bin/ Beyond the Bin Outhouse (non-accessible) Appendix186
U
Examples of Waste Managment Record Keeping Appendix187
V
Dartmouth Outing Club Region 9 Accessible Moldering Privy Appendix188
W
Huts AMC Clivus Operations Appendix189
X
AMC Massachusetts Moldering Privy Appendix190
Y
AMC Connecticut Moldering Privy Appendix191
Z
Accessible Toilet Riser Appendix192
AA
Moldering Privies on the Klondike Trail Alaska Appendix193
AB
Accessibility Requirements as of 2013 Appendix194
AC
USFS Job Hazard Analysis for Backcountry Sanitation Appendix195
AD
National Park Service Report on Human Waste Management Appendix196
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Dedication
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s
Backcountry Sanitation Manual is dedicated
to Raymond E. Leonard, Ph.D., leader in
the 1970s of the Backcountry Recreation
Research Program of the U.S. Forest
Service, based at the Forestry Sciences Lab
in Durham, N.H. Ray, a native Vermonter
and forestry scientist by training, pioneered
research projects related to mitigating
the impact of heavy use on backcountry
recreation facilities in the Northeast. In
particular, he provided leadership in the
development of practical and effective “bin
composters” that were the precursor of
today’s composting privies. Ray’s work on
composting preserved many cherished, high-
elevation sites that might otherwise have been
closed due to human waste complications.
Ray embraced cooperative work with the
Appalachian Mountain Club, Green Mountain
Club, and other outdoors organizations.
His collegial style and broadly inclusive
program provided a training ground for a
Ray Leonard
generation of leaders in the trail community.
Larry Van Meter, July, 2014
ATC Executive Director 1981–86
Green Mountain Club Executive Director 1975–77
Forestry Technician, USFS Backcountry
Research Program 1973–74
Preface
viii
Preface
Introduction to the Second Edition
Robert Proudman, Staff, Appalachian Trail Conservancy Staff
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is Hikers carried canvas, steel, and cast-iron to
remarkable for many reasons. But one that camp and cook comfortably. Thus, shelters were
may be little appreciated by the general public the norm until mid-century, when light-weight
is the system of more than 270 primitive aluminum alloys and nylon tents became available.
overnight sites that allow hikers to “sojourn”
Hiker visitation surged in the late 1960s, with
on the Appalachian Trail—to backpack for a
some shelters and campsites seeing 200 or more
weekend, a week, or for months at a time.
visitors per week. Forty to seventy visitors per
Those who choose the great pilgrimage between night were not uncommon at some campsites in the
Springer Mountain and Katahdin will find a Green Mountain and White Mountain National
remarkable set of campsites, primitive three- Forests. In 1971, visitation at Ice Water Springs
sided shelters, and lean-tos about a day’s Shelter in the Smoky Mountains exceeded 120
hike apart between Georgia and Maine. people per night on more than one occasion.
“Sojourning” was the word that ATC chairman Solid wastes and refuse accumulated, pit toilets
Stanley A. Murray chose to describe the long walk and privies overflowed, and wildlife problems
when he wrote the first paragraph of the Definition became common. Bears, skunks, raccoons,
of the Appalachian Trail in 1975: and rodents were attracted to food smells,
trash, and abandoned food containers. “Can
pits”—the areas where discarded human trash
“The Appalachian Trail is a way, continuous from
was dumped by maintainers—overflowed.
Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in
Georgia, for travel on foot through the wild, scenic, Maintaining clubs and land managers in northern
wooded, pastoral and culturally significant lands New England and in the Shenandoah and
of the Appalachian Mountains. It is a means of Great Smoky Mountains National Parks found
sojourning among these lands, such that the visitors themselves with a number of pest-ridden health
may experience them by their own unaided efforts.” hazards or “backcountry slums” that despoiled
the beauties of the A.T. environment and violated
Many of the shelters and campsites were initially
public health codes and agency policies.
located and built near water supplies in the
backwoods to accommodate thirsty hikers who, Clubs and land managers tackled the solid waste
in the early-to-mid 20th century, might total a directly: The first “Carry In–Carry Out” campaign
dozen campers per week at any one busy site. Sites was begun in the same year as the first Earth
were chosen not to withstand hordes of modern Day, 1970. If a full can of beans was carried in,
backpackers, but often for their location near managers thought, certainly the empty can should
streams, scenic lakes, or desirable Appalachian be carried out. It was a novel idea at the time. Carry
peaks popular among early “peak baggers.” In–Carry Out programs and signs proliferated.
Hiker peer-pressure grew, and the public followed,
While the A.T. was not initially completed until
ensuring better behavior and—following can-pit
1937, many legacy shelters and campsites were
clean-outs that took about ten years—virtually
included where the A.T. followed older trails.
removing solid waste in the backcountry.
Because of the relative antiquity of the A.T. by
comparison to other national trails, shelters were Human waste proved more intractable. How
deemed essential for extended hiking trips. In does one achieve modern standards of sanitation
the first half of the 20th century, gear was heavy. and cleanliness without the contemporary
ix
alternatives provided by road access, septic Since the first edition of the Backcountry Sanitation
systems, leaching fields, plumbing, and electric Manual, the most notable change to occur on
power? The challenges seemed insurmountable. the A.T. has been the widespread adoption
and implementation of moldering privies, with
Yet, Appalachian Trail clubs working with U.S.
the majority of the 31 A.T. maintaining clubs
Forest Service scientists and others, developed
installing them on their Trail sections. The other
ways to address those problems, including
major change has been the adoption of Federal
well-sited pit privies, haul-outs or fly-outs of
accessibility guidelines for outdoor recreation.
waste, and—with aid from the Forest Service
As a result, this second edition includes thorough
Backcountry Research Program—the reemergence
updates of the chapters on safety, the moldering
of the ancient practice of composting.
privy system, and accessibility. New case studies
from up and down the A.T. have been added
Because the A.T. is often at the top of the
to the Appendix, as well as plans for accessible
watersheds it traverses, it is our obligation to
batch composting and moldering privies.
all who live downstream to maintain pristine
conditions and water quality and to achieve the
Other changes of note in the second edition:
NPS mission to “preserve unimpaired the natural
and cultural resources and values of the national • Some material deemed outdated or systems and
park system for the enjoyment, education, and techniques proven ineffective have been removed.
inspiration of this and future generations.”
• Emphasis has been placed on the systems and
Other important considerations for managing techniques that, in the decade of field experience
the Appalachian Trail include keeping the since the first edition came out, have proven
A.T. remote from roads, minimizing the use of to be most effective— many of these items
expensive and impactful helicopter transport, have been bolded to call attention to them.
and achieving workable, “smarter not harder”
• The chapter on universal accessibility
solutions for our corps of volunteer maintainers.
has been expanded.
Interest in the field of backcountry sanitation
• Many new photographs and building
management has grown exponentially both on and
plans have been included.
off the A.T., culminating in a worldwide conference
in 2010 on remote waste management called Exit
We still believe that the field of backcountry
Strategies and a follow-up conference, Sustainable
sanitation is an evolving one, and this publication
Summits, planned for the summer of 2014. These
must continue to evolve with it. With improved
conferences featured land managers from as far
technology for communication up and down
away as Africa, New Zealand, and Japan. While
the Trail and across the world, we expect the
many of the systems and technologies featured at
exchange of information among maintainers to
the conference did not have direct applicability to
increase. Having the Manual as an electronic
the A.T., there was much interest and discussion
document, we can continue to update it periodically
of the moldering privy, and several participants
as techniques and technology change.
were present who had implemented such systems
in locations including the Upper Peninsula of This book is the second edition of what we have
Michigan, the backcountry of Colorado, and learned thus far. We hope you find it accurate and
all the way up the Chilkoot Trail in Alaska. It helpful in caring for what A.T. founder Benton
is evident that our work on the A.T. is having a MacKaye called our “Barbarian Utopia.”
positive impact throughout the U.S. and beyond.
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