A cathole or cat hole or sometimes pighole is a pit for

human feces Human feces (American English) or faeces (British English), commonly and in medical literature more often called stool, are the solid or semisolid remains of food that could not be digested or absorbed in the small intestine of humans, but has b ...

. Catholes are frequently used for the purpose of disposing of

bowel movements The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract, digestive tract, alimentary canal) is the tract or passageway of the digestive system that leads from the mouth to the anus. The tract is the largest of the body's systems, after the cardiovascular syste ...

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 ...

. They can also be used to dispose of menstruum from a menstrual cup. According to the

Leave No Trace Leave No Trace, sometimes written as LNT, is a set of ethics promoting conservation of the outdoors. Originating in the mid-20th century, the concept started as a movement in the United States in response to ecological damage caused by wilderne ...

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

References

External links

Sanitation
- instructions from

Olympic National Park Olympic National Park is a national park of the United States located in 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 e ...

. Toilets Hiking Defecation {{Outdoor-recreation-stub

See also

References

External links