Re: [Philmont]: Most violated policy at Philmont?

I have just read this and all the other posts and have to admit total
surprise - in the late 1980's/early 90's, I was repeatedly taught to
make "poop soup" in the cathole, as this allegedly greatly speeded up
the decomposition of the paper and other "products". We were told to
take the marker stick and actual stir everything around before doing the
coverup. This was said to be especially important in semi-arid climates
(like Philmont) where rain was (generally) uncommon. Am I the only one
who was taught this methodology? When did it change?

One point of correction - urine contains very little ammonia (Thank God,
or we'd all be screaming 10 - 20 times a day!) The compound is urea,
which chemistry (hydrolysis) and bacteriological action later convert to
ammonia. How this affects poop degradation I don't know, scatology not
exactly being my forte.

Any experts out there???

White, Billy Wayne (GECP, MABG, 037370) wrote:
> Our ranger told us during "latrine training" that the policy at Philmont
> is no urine in the latrine. She said it had been determined that the
> ammonia in urine slowed down the decomposition of the solid waste. We
> were told if we had to do "number 1 and number 2", to do "number 1" on a
> flat rock outside the latrine and then finish "number 2" inside the
> latrine. I couldn't help but laugh at that suggestion. She took no
> offense to my laughter and I meant none. As she stressed the point
> further I asked, "what about when using a cathole?"
> She said the same rule applies, "no urine on feces."
>
> I haven't seen any other posts about this unusual policy and wondered if
> anyone else received similar instruction. I don't doubt the truth of her
> statement but the reality of it being done is very unlikely, especially
> when the call of Nature is for both "number 1 and number 2."
>
> There is no doubt in my mind this is the most violated policy at Philmont.
>
>
> Wayne White
>
> CC Troop 222,
>
> Moulton, AL
>
>

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Received on Thu Jul 10 19:57:01 2003