A cathole or cat hole or sometimes pighole is a pit for human feces. Catholes are frequently used for the purpose of disposing of

bowel movements Defecation (or defaecation) follows digestion, and is a necessary process by which organisms eliminate a solid, semisolid, or liquid waste material known as feces from the digestive tract via the anus. The act has a variety of names ranging f ...

or waste water (such as the water from cleaning the kitchen dishes) by hikers and others engaging in

outdoor recreation Outdoor recreation or outdoor activity refers to recreation done outside, most commonly in natural settings. The activities that encompass outdoor recreation vary depending on the physical environment they are being carried out in. These activitie ...

. According to the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, catholes should be dug at least from water sources, walking trails or campsites. Additionally, the same cathole should not be used twice. Catholes should be between deep and disguised after use to prevent access by animals, some of which are

coprophagous Coprophagia () or coprophagy () is the consumption of feces. The word is derived from the grc, κόπρος , "feces" and , "to eat". Coprophagy refers to many kinds of feces-eating, including eating feces of other species (heterospecifics), of ...

. The digging of catholes is forbidden in some regions of high elevation where the climate can hinder the decomposition of waste.

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Sanitation
- instructions from

Olympic National Park Olympic National Park is a United States national park located in the State of Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula. The park has four regions: the Pacific coastline, alpine areas, the west-side temperate rainforest, and the forests of the drier ...

. Toilets Hiking Defecation {{Outdoor-recreation-stub

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