Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board nature calls on trail

my wife would like to work towards Whitney this summer but has not done such a long day trip. Fitness is not an issue but comfort is. With the absence of restrooms (we know WAGBAGS for number 2), and the need to drink water constantly, what tips do women travelers have for discrete number one along the trail with no cover?

It's very rare that someone is interested in watching another person urinate, so if she's urinating in an area with no cover and someone comes along the trail they will typically be courteous enough to look the other way.

If she's really concerned about it then she might want to look into carrying a freshette.

Something I used to see more in the past was putting on a poncho before squatting. A few now hike in skirts for several reasons, including this, but that might not be as comfortable in high altitude winds.

tiggr, I have three women in my life, my wife and two daughters, and we have done extensive backpacking and hiking over the years. You mention the "trail with no cover." Below 10,000 feet, there are lots of trees for ladies and guys to use for discreet cover. Above treeline, even above Trail Crest, there are huge boulders. Planning ahead is important, that is, picking a discreet place before you get to parts of the trail that may be too exposed (for eyes that may see). You, of course, are important in these situations for standing guard.

I think you may find with the hard exercise in climbing Whitney that a lot of the fluids your wife takes in will be perspired away, which will help minimize necessary breaks. When my daughters and I summited Whitney, they never seemed to have the need for a potty break above Trail Camp, but they did take care of business ahead of time.

Yes, planning a little is important about Trail Camp. It is disheartening to come around a corner and find someone squatting right on the trail. First, it's something I really don't want to see <g>. Second, if one is slogging so painfully upward, it is frustrating to be asked/told to wait while the squatee makes a deposit. Just a little thought reveals large boulder one can go behind with very little effort, making both the squatee and the passer-by less uncomfortable.

I have been up and down this trail a bunch of times and have yet to see a lady doing the when nature calls thingy.

I do believe it can be a problem for all from the Switchbacks to the summit.

It is not a big issue, if you keep your eye open depression, boulders and over the visual horizon spots. Even after all these precautions, you will still be visible to some.

You can help, too.

I've been up Whitney twice, both times from the "back" side, and on one ascent I was the notifier ("Excuse me, could you please wait just a second, my spouse just ahead needs a little privacy") and on the second I was the notifyee (I wondered why the guy of the couple above us kept looking anxiously back at us until he finally said, "uh.... would you mind waiting for just a minute...").