Campsites within the BWCA consists of a U.S. Forest Service iron fire grate, somewhat flat grassy tent area and a the all important fiberglass latrine. The BWCA wilderness latrines are typically some distance behind the campsite. Usually a short walk; however at times, the walk can seem long.
A definite trail is readily visible leading to this relief oasis in the woods. Its not difficult to find. Follow the path at the back of the campsite away from the lake. At the path's end you will find the green fiberglass implement you seek. Some latrines have beautiful views of the surrounding woods. Some are up high on a small hill, or down low in a knoll.
Some have stellar lakeside views. Which can be unsettling. On one trip as I was sitting in the woods with a nice view of the lake to my left. A couple canoes paddled by not more than 50 yards away. I could clearly see them through the trees and hear their conversation as I sat there in my altogether minding my business. Glad I didn't wear my red plaid shirt on that necessary walk in the woods.
Other latrine locations are surrounded by low brush and ferns. Continually shady and damp. Mosquito havens. We learned the hard way to always bring bug repellent on our walks into the woods. Our tender, never seeing the sun backsides are a beacon to blood sucking mosquitos and biting gnats. Keep the bug repellent handy when you drop your pants. Give your backside a healthy dousing of repellent to give yourself some time to sit and think.
When nature calls we would announce, "I need to take a walk." This declarative statement let everyone in camp know that the green stool in the woods is about to be occupied. This announcement quelled any embarrassment by having someone walk in while another was tending business.
Later on, we hung a roll of TP on a tree branch at the trailhead to the latrine. This worked quite well to replace our nature call announcements. If the roll of TP was missing, you new someone was at the office consulting business. After an overnight rain, we had to modify our tree hanging TP roll. A gallon sized Ziploc baggie proved a worthy rain guard to the precious roll of TP.
Roll care while using the latrine is essential to prevent roll mishaps. Typically, there is not an optimal place to set the TP roll. Usually a flat rock near the feet worked fine. Unless it had rained, or was raining. A wet rock lent a soggy roll. Reaching for the roll must be taken with care. Reaching too far to only knock over the roll will send the TP roll into a spin down the dirt trail. Nobody wants to do the quick walk of shame to retrieve the wayward roll.
On one occasion, Bob took his nature walk only to hurry back in a panic. He explained he needed paper towels and the pot of hot soapy dishwater we used to wash breakfast dishes. Perplexed, we followed Bob to the latrine. There we saw that a squirrel or some poor rodent had gotten itself into the latrine and proceeded to climb out, covering the latrine seat and sides with little paw prints of whatever was down in the latrine. We had a laugh about that poor happless rodent. Yet we felt bad for the critter. Worse was cleaning up after the fouled rodent. ugh.
The 1999 Blowdown was disastrous. Hundreds of acres with trees blown down, campsites were damaged. Forest crew spent time clearing portages and campsites from downed trees. The trip a year after the Blowdown was a memorable latrine experience. Surrounding the latrine was a wall of logs, almost like a three sided log outhouse; but without a roof. I did not notice the crack in the latrine's seat as I sat down to do business. Once seated, I experienced a sharp pain on my backside; a severe pinch on my right backside cheek.
This pain had no end. However, standing up was impossible. The latrine seat had my seat in its tight grip. The damn thing was goosing me and would not stop. I could not stand. And calling to my fellow campers was not an option; at least not without extreme embarrassment. To free myself, I had to push on the back of the seat, behind my behind while pushing the outside of the latrine stool inside. Free at last, but with quite a sore welt on my backside. Once back in camp I warned my fellow campers. We all learned to hover on that trip.
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