The state of California, which features a bear in their seal, may have bears that poop in the woods, but hikers on Mt Whitney may no longer do so. The outhouse atop the mountain has been closed. At an elevation of 14,494 ft, it was the highest outhouse in the continental US.So what is a hiker to do if he feels the need? The Forest Service is issuing Wagbags to hikers when they apply for a permit to hike the trail. The Wagbag (Waste Alleviation and Gelling) is described on the company website as: "Our non-toxic Pooh Powder waste treatment treats up to 32 ounces of liquid and solid waste allowing for multiple use. It turns liquid waste to a solid for hygenic and spillproof transport. The Pooh Powder waste treatment controls odors and contains a decay catalyst that breaks down solid waste."
The Forest Service used to clean out the outhouse using helicopters to remove 250 lb bags of waste. Brian Spitak of the Forest Service states, "It’s one thing to take a risk to fly up there to pick up a sick or injured person, to do it to fly out a bag of poop is another."
Or is it just part of budgets cuts to the Forest Service?
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