Instructor
Sean Michael, PhD
435-881-7590
Instagram: thegeardoctor
Description
Responsible overlanding means planning for when nature calls. From cat holes to composting toilets, this class covers the ecology, regulations and strategies to handle human waste. A variety of waste handling products will be shown and discussed, with tips for Leave No Trace that fit with any vehicle you choose to travel with.
Class Type
Visual aid-based presentation
Category
Set-up
Level
Beginner
Focus
None
Class Flow
Objectives/Approach
- Help attendees understand the dilemmas of human waste in the back country.
- Explain the regulations on public lands related to human waste.
- Use case study of COVID and Baja beaches to highlight the growing problem
- Illustrate the soil and water source considerations
- Explain the major solution categories and their limitations and benefits
- Review sample products to discuss use, storage and cleaning
Outline
- Intro--1min
- When nature calls—how will you answer?--2min
- Regulations and ethics--3min
- The growing dilemma of human waste in the backcountry -- 3min
- Historic solutions for reducing impacts from waste -- 5min
- Understanding the relationship to soil and water--3min
- Solution Categories--12min
- Permanent facilities
- Dispersal
- Burial
- Bagging
- Composting
- DIY, building a kit, and manufactured products--4min
- Group travel--3min
- Sanitation and safety--5min
- Walk Thru/Q&A--10min
- Links to Resources--1min
Additional Info
This course was first proposed to Azure in 2023, and was developed to address the growing crisis of human waste handling in the backcountry. Education has always been critical in the outdoor recreation market, and that is especially true in solving human waste.
Thanks to the help of several brands, we have been given a variety of human waste handling products to show attendees. These represent a range of price points and solutions.
Bio
Sean Michael, PhD is a professor of Outdoor Product Design & Development at Utah State University, and a writer and product tester in the off-road market for over two decades. His articles have appeared in ADVrider, BMW MOA, Offroad.com and other magazines. He lectures on and researches the history of vehicle-based adventure travel when not out exploring.