Could Hikers in Colorado Soon Be Responsible for Their Own Poop?
When nature calls, it doesn’t always happen at the most convenient time. Whether you’re at home, the office, or on a rugged Colorado mountain trail, answering that call is inevitable. However, one Colorado-based company is proposing a shift in how outdoor enthusiasts handle human waste in the wilderness, with a focus on preserving the pristine beauty of the state’s high country.
PACT Outdoors, an innovative outdoor company, has introduced WAG Bags to Colorado’s popular Mount Elbert trailhead. These specially designed bags are not for pets—they’re for hikers. The goal? To encourage “Leave No Trace” principles by ensuring that human waste doesn’t pollute the mountains. For those unfamiliar, “Leave No Trace” means leaving nothing behind in nature, including waste generated on the trail.
A New Approach to Waste Management on Colorado’s Peaks
PACT Outdoors has installed a kiosk at the Mount Elbert trailhead, stocked with WAG Bags and a sanitary bin for their disposal. Their vision is to expand this initiative, placing similar kiosks and waste receptacles at all 58 of Colorado’s fourteeners. The issue is more significant than many realize: according to PACT Outdoors, over 10 percent of the 15,000 annual hikers on Mount Elbert relieve themselves on the mountain, contributing to an accumulation of waste that can harm the environment and tarnish the hiking experience.
Tackling the Problem of Human Waste in the Wilderness
PACT’s approach aims to tackle a growing issue in Colorado’s backcountry. Human waste left behind not only threatens the natural beauty of the area but also poses health risks to hikers and wildlife. With the introduction of WAG Bags and proper disposal systems, PACT hopes to change attitudes and practices around waste management in the outdoors.
As more hikers venture into Colorado’s high country each year, the need for sustainable practices becomes increasingly important. PACT Outdoors envisions a future where every trailhead provides the tools hikers need to responsibly manage their impact. To learn more about WAG Bags and PACT’s mission, visit Outside Online.
This initiative could revolutionize how outdoor enthusiasts interact with Colorado’s wilderness, ensuring that even when nature calls, we all do our part to protect it.
