Mount Whitney--The Unsavory Details (answers to your burning questions)

Bears poop in the woods. But, what about humans?

Usually, backpackers bury their solid human waste while in the woods. However, since most of the Mount Whitney trip was above treeline in an environmentally fragile area, each of us was issued ONE (the Forest Service expected us to use one bag for multiple trips to the restroom because the bags are so expensive) Wag Bag--a wonderful invention in which we could collect our solid waste and carry it out with us. As you can see in this picture, we were very excited to use our Wag Bags.

Here is a Wag Bag, ready for use.

Audra Smith--Wag Bag model extraordinaire. Don't worry--this is only a demonstration!

At the trailhead, there is a receptacle to collect the Wag Bags. Here Rose deposes of her Wag Bag. I think our Wag Bag experience really made us all appreciate modern conveniences such as indoor plumbing!