Kathleen Meyer (1) (1989–)

Cute title, funny pic on cover, and well-written with much necessary but tastefully subtle humour. However, I am now convinced (if I wasn't, before) that it is highly unlikely that I will ever go camping again. Much as I love sleeping under the stars with only the music of the crickets in my ears, I am just too attached to my *conveniences* to be a responsible camper, especially these days, when concern for the health of the planet is so very important. I wish I had as much confidence in show more most campers, though, as I do in the author.

She wrote this book back in 1989, with a revised edition coming out in 1994, still eons ago, in terms of what we know about the damage to our environment today. I wonder what she would write today. This books discusses, in a very readable way, a topic that no one ever really wants to discuss, but one which every human on the planet knows intimately: the cycle of bodily elimination, specifically, if you are camping or hiking. Even more specifically, how and where to do it, and what to do WITH it after the fact, so as not to contaminate the water supply or the general environment. It isn't pretty, and isn't even very convenient but if you are planning to hike or camp (and eat) for more than a few hours, this is knowledge that is so essential, it's almost scary.

Meyer has done extensive homework, and has lots of personal anecdotes, as well. She wrote this before the internet was a household word, and as such, lists names, addresses and phone numbers of companies that manufacture and sell items she mentions (and the prices of those items!). That made me chuckle.

But seriously, there was a terrible tragedy here in Ontario around 10 years ago in Walkerton, where the water supply to the town had been contaminated and not properly treated and many people died and many more were seriously ill, and some remain so to today.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/walkerton/

You would think that would be a wake-up call but I wonder, do serious hikers and trekkers really know about the stuff I read in this book, and follow these practices? I shudder to think that they don't.

She started the book with a discourse on how she finally decided to go with the word *shit* in the first place -- not an easy decision, apparently -- and ends it with a thoroughly amusing 3 and a half page glossary of the Definition of Shit.

Apart from the cringe factor, I actually quite enjoyed this book. Even if you never go camping, if you have any interest in the health of this planet, this is probably one of the more readable books you will find anywhere on the topic. I know there has recently been a more current edition, though, since this one is more than 20 years old and I'd love to see how she has updated it. Sadly, the condition of the planet and our environment has deteriorated greatly, despite her best intentions to try to educate and prevent that very point. show less

I thought I knew everything about taking care of myself in the wilderness, but learned more facts and tips for some of the more difficult situations. For instance, I knew from gardening that the top layer of the soil is the most biologically active, but never linked that to considering why a immediate-use shit hole should not be dug too deep. I knew about groundwater movement but never thought to consider surface drainage and spring runoff when I selected a spot.
I think this book should be show more required reading for my college field work team; we spend 8 hours a day in the woods but not all of our crew has camping experience. show less

Después de guiar a cientos de urbanitas por ríos de aguas bravas, Kathleen Meyer llegó a la conclusión de que evacuar al aire libre sin WC rara vez es una habilidad innata, sino un procedimiento complejo que demandaba urgentemente un correcto protocolo. Esta aleccionadora revelación, y el consecuente dominio por la autora de tal forma de arte, convirtieron Cómo cagar en el monte en una auténtica biblia campestre y en un bestseller internacional que, desde 1989, recoge las mejores show more maneras para que los seres humanos cumplamos nuestros requerimientos fisiológicos de un modo amable y respetuoso con la Madre Naturaleza.

La acumulación de excrementos humanos en muchos de nuestros espacios naturales no es solo un problema estético. Estos molestos y oloros desechos contaminan las aguas y, por tanto, son el medio para transmitir graves enfermedades, por no hablar del impacto medioambiental del siempre tan socorrido papel higiénico. Es fundamental concienciarse de la gran importancia que tiene cagar bien en el monte, y este libro es una herramienta fundamental para conseguir tal fin.
(Cedido a la Bibliocomarca por Juan Luis Lázaro) show less

This book is exactly what it says. My husband and I listened to it in the ride up to the Adirondacks to go do just what the title suggests-well, backpacking. I listened to the rest on the way back and forth from work.

I got this audiobook mainly for work to help to leave no trace and outdoor ethics. It is extremely humorous and you must be comfortable with the word shit. The author actually does a lot to explain exactly why she has chosen this word instead of other to convey her purpose. show more Anyway, this book contains a wealth of information for anyone who might find themselves having to go without a conventional toilet-hikers, backpackers, white-water rafters, kayakers, canoers, horseback riders and military personnel. Shared through personal anecdotes and other's stories about mishaps in the field, you will not feel alone in your trials. The best information is about different ways to actually go about your business, methods for being environmentally responsible and packing out. There is also quite a bit of information about treating water and giardia. The women's only sections is particularly useful, though I already use a Go Girl. There is a ton a product information in here and on the audiobook, that got a little boring to listen to, but is important if you are still trying to find the best way to shit in the woods.

This audiobook was received for free in return for an honest review. show less