Answering Nature’s Call Staying Well In The Wilderness Katahdin has the largest collection of rare, threatened and endangered species found at any single location in Maine. This mountain also hosts 30,000-35,000 hikers every year. Please help make Baxter safe and sanitary for visitors and wildlife by practicing proper human waste disposal. Leave No Trace Principle #3: Dispose of Waste Properly The A.T. and I.A.T. Special Trails in Baxter State Park For 2-3% of our visitors, Baxter Peak on Katahdin marks the end (or the beginning!) of a journey. The northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail is Baxter Peak. In June, when snow has cleared from the trails, it is not uncommon to see excited “southbounders” as they start their journey toward Georgia. By August, the majority of AT hikers we see will be “northbounders”, entering the southwest corner of the Park near Abol Bridge Campground and Store on the West Branch of the Penobscot. These hikers have many miles and just as many stories to their credit! After completion of the “100 Mile Wilderness” (Monson to Abol Bridge) they are ready to hike up the Hunt Trail and gaze upon the Maine woods and waters they hiked through to get here! A couple of minutes to pose beside the summit sign at Baxter Peak and they are on their way again! Another distance trail, the International Appalachian Trail, also features Baxter Peak, this time as the southern terminus of the trail that is still developing but includes the Canadian Maritime Provinces, Greenland, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, Netherlands, Denmark (Faroe Islands), Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Spain and France! For more information on the Appalachian Trail: www.appalachiantrail.org For more information on the International Appalachian Trail: www.iat-sia.org Wildnotes Treat your water... Your stomach will thank you! We are fortunate enough here in Baxter State Park to have abundant water sources, and minimal industrial pollution. However, no matter how pristine the area may seem, no body of water is safe from contaminants. With advancing technology, there are now many different options for packable water treatment. This is good news since diarrhea, vomiting, cramps and other ill effects often accompany the ingestion of water contaminated with parasites (Cryptosporidium and Giardia), bacteria and viruses. Symptoms can last from 1-6 weeks and sometimes longer. All of these pathogens are introduced into drinking water by human and animal fecal waste! In the interest of a quick review, here is a summary of different treatment techniques and their effectiveness on these pathogens. BOILING KILLS ALL PATHOGENS! Water should be held at a rolling boil for 1 minute. is the water source for the Wassataquoik Stream lean-tos. Although water bodies in the backcountry are located in pristine areas, we still recommend you treat all drinking water. FILTRATION can be used as a pathogen reduction method against most microorganisms, depending on the pore size of the filter. When using ≤1 micron filter (NSF Standard 53 or 58 rated “cyst reduction / removal” filter), filtration is highly effective in removing parasites and moderately effective in removing bacteria. Manufacturer’s instructions must be followed. For more information on selecting appropriate water filters please visit http://www.cdc.gov/crypto/gen_info/filters.html. WARNING: Filtration is NOT effective in killing viruses* *Only filters that contain a chemical disinfectant matrix will be effective against some viruses. DISINFECTION • Iodine or Chlorine (including chlorine “bleach”) is highly effective in killing bacteria and viruses, but only low to moderately effective in removing Giardia. This treatment is NOT effective in killing Cryptosporidium, one of the most frequent causes of waterborne disease in the U.S. Important: Iodine treatment is NOT recommended for pregnant women, people with thyroid problems, or those with known hypersensitivity Many other factors can impact the effectiveness of disinfection. Disinfectants vary by manufacturer and product. 100% effectiveness may not be achieved. COMBINATION FILTRATION AND DISINFECTION has a very high effectiveness in removing all four pathogens when used with the recommended disinfectant. OTHER TREATMENT METHODS • Ultraviolet Light (UV Light) is effective against some pathogens (Manufacturer’s instructions must be followed). It typically requires prefiltering of cloudy water. Results vary depending on the model. • MIOX® systems use a salt solution to create mixed oxidants, primarily chlorine. However chlorine has a low to moderate effectiveness in killing Giardia, and is not effective in killing Cryptosporidium. Manufacturer’s instructions must be followed. Our recommendation... If boiling water is not possible, a 2 step approach of filtration and chemical disinfection is the most effective pathogen reduction method in drinking water. In addition to using the appropriate drinking water treatment methods listed above, you can also protect yourself and others from waterborne illness in the backcountry by practicing good personal hygiene and proper human waste disposal. For more information on proper human waste disposal please see side bar of this page. -All information for this article was provided by the CDCThis Please use outhouses where available prior to your hike. When needing to urinate and no outhouse is around, avoid vegetation – choose rocks or gravel to minimize plant and soil damage from wildlife defoliating plants and digging for human salts. If below treeline with no outhouse, find a site at least 200 feet from trail or any water source. Using a trowel or your heel dig a cathole about 6 inches deep so the soil will help with decomposition. Carrying out your toilet paper in a ziplock bag is the best choice but if you are not prepared, bury it deep in the hole. When finished, disguise the hole with natural materials. If above treeline and nature calls, please do not dig a cathole, as the plants are rare and soils in the alpine zone are thin. Instead, rock hop 200 feet from trail or any water source and go on top of the gravel or bare ground, so the weather can help with decomposition. Carry out your toilet paper in a ziplock bag. Outhouses – Please deposit only human waste and toilet paper in the outhouses. Carry out personal hygiene products, disposable diapers and leftover food products. These products interfere with the composting process and clog the pumps used to empty the vaults. They also introduce nondegradable material and fill toilets quickly. Rangers can provide carry out litter bags. Your cooperation will greatly reduce impacts to this area! Thanks! 3
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