Poo shovels

[llittle_llama]

So I bought the heaviest shovel on earth apparently. The GSR poly shovel. Feels pretty light but after I posted it up in my inventory everyone schooled me on its weight issues. Now at first I thought you guys were crazy. I know ounces are pounds but come on, it's a SHOVEL! So I looked at a few links and there are a few options that are lighter (and cheaper) but not as sturdy (orange shovels) and some that are WAY more expensive but WAY lighter. So I figured since I already spent the $5 on my GSR shovel I would test it out. This is what I have so far:



















Please post up your shovels/mods/findings and talk!!!!

[Hikingjim]

Never carried a shovel on the AT before. I pass shelters often enough and if it's an emergency I don't need a shovel. Hiking stick, a piece of wood, a rock, whatever. I just go a ways from the trail (without getting lost...)

[HooKooDooKu]

Never carried a shovel on the AT before. I pass shelters often enough and if it's an emergency I don't need a shovel. Hiking stick, a piece of wood, a rock, whatever. I just go a ways from the trail (without getting lost...)

This comes up every time someone brings up the subject of pooping in the woods.

Given that it doesn't mater if you are the requisite minimum distance from the trail (typically about 100' I believe) or 1 mile from the trail... how you go about doing your business should still be the same, which includes digging a 6" deep cat hole. Based on the ground I've encountered in GSMNP and along the JMT, I don't see how anyone is going to dig an appropriately size cat hole in a reasonable amount of time without some sort of digging tool (trowel, tent peg, etc).

The ones I really have to laugh about are the ones that claim they just dig a hole with the heel of their boot.

As for shelters... I've only hike the section of the AT going thru GSMNP where I can only remember 4 of the 11 AT shelters having a privy (Spence, Mt Collines, Icewater Springs, and Pecks).

[saltysack]

This comes up every time someone brings up the subject of pooping in the woods.

Given that it doesn't mater if you are the requisite minimum distance from the trail (typically about 100' I believe) or 1 mile from the trail... how you go about doing your business should still be the same, which includes digging a 6" deep cat hole. Based on the ground I've encountered in GSMNP and along the JMT, I don't see how anyone is going to dig an appropriately size cat hole in a reasonable amount of time without some sort of digging tool (trowel, tent peg, etc).

The ones I really have to laugh about are the ones that claim they just dig a hole with the heel of their boot.

As for shelters... I've only hike the section of the AT going thru GSMNP where I can only remember 4 of the 11 AT shelters having a privy (Spence, Mt Collines, Icewater Springs, and Pecks).

On jmt I just used a ground squirrel hole...pre dug cat hole....


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[Time Zone]

One idea I adopted was to get an REI snow stake:
https://www.rei.com/product/845328/rei-co-op-snow-stake

costs $3, weighs an ounce, can be dual-use.

[Sarcasm the elf]

One idea I adopted was to get an REI snow stake:
https://www.rei.com/product/845328/rei-co-op-snow-stake

costs $3, weighs an ounce, can be dual-use.

I've been using an rei snow stake for a couple years now. Much easier than using my hiking pole like I used to.

[Ethesis]

One idea I adopted was to get an REI snow stake:
https://www.rei.com/product/845328/rei-co-op-snow-stake

costs $3, weighs an ounce, can be dual-use.

After using those on a section hike I got a Duce of Spades.

[cmoulder]

If you want state of the art and less than 1/2 oz...

http://suluk46.com/products%20%20-%2...%20Trowel.html

http://www.qiwiz.net/trowels.html

[Greenlight]

The cost on those bad boys was enough to make me have to poo...I guess less is more!

[Engine]

Deuce of Spades

http://www.mountaintrailoutfitters.c...24YaAvfZ8P8HAQ

[llittle_llama]

So who actually uses the "Deuce of Spades"?

[JC13]

So who actually uses the "Deuce of Spades"?

I have used mine once since I bought it. Used the orange plastic before that and the plastic one was terrible if tough soil.

[Engine]

So who actually uses the "Deuce of Spades"?

Me for one...

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[Mags]

So who actually uses the "Deuce of Spades"?

I do. The inventor lives maybe 15 minutes away from me.

http://www.pmags.com/gear-review-deuce-of-spades

After finding a disgusting pile of poo and TP under a rock while doing trail work on the CDT, I really advocate a trowel of some sort. I converted before then. The trail surprise cemented my views.

I like one of the comments a person wrote:

"i admit to having dug my hole with a boot heel. Really it was only half a hole. Who want’s to be a Half-Hole?"

[QiWiz]

I like one of the comments a person wrote: "i admit to having dug my hole with a boot heel. Really it was only half a hole. Who want’s to be a Half-Hole?"

Thanks for the quote. I'm still laughing.

[Mags]

Thanks for the quote. I'm still laughing.

It is very good one! Funny and accurate.

[saltysack]

Here we go again......


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[Secondmouse]

Here we go again......


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I know, right?..

[Maui Rhino]

+1 Deuce of Spades. Great little trowel that can get through the rocky soil I frequently hike on.

[Hikingjim]

that's true that it can be difficult with a pole. Rarely have to use it, but I have used an msr groundhog stake with some success as well

that is a pretty light trowel though! I have definitely seen a "crapload" of shovels in hiker boxes, but theirs probably weren't .6 oz.
I might consider that to upgrade the trowel I take on privy-less routes