Expedition toilet etiquette

I never seriously thought I would ever need to complain about this...but how I can be proven wrong.  You would think that people know how to use a toilet, but you would be wrong.  Stupid people do exist.  So let me educate those that just do not have a clue on how to use an asian toilet (or its equivalent makeshift expedition rock platform toilets).

Here is a picture of a typical asian toilet.

Note how it has placement for your feet on either side of the bowl.  This is where you put your feet.

Note the hole that is closer to one end of the bowl.  This is the bottom end...you face away from the bottom end.

Pretty simple so far.  Now, when you go on an expedition, the hardworking sherpas usually set up a toilet using large rocks to create something identical (with a tent-like enclosure for privacy).  This setup has parallel foot placements.  This is where you put your feet.  You either have a drum barrel in substitution of a bowl or your waste goes straight into the ground (depends on your expedition company).

Now, that isn't difficult at all to comprehend...but there is generally one idiot that does not use it properly and thus causes a real hygiene issue.  There is generally an idiot that squats with both feet on one side of the foot placement, and thus when they do their business, they end up leaving some waste on the other foot placement!  This is very inconsiderate and pisses everyone off.  The poor sherpa/staff then have to clean it up.

If you are one such person that has no common sense, and you have read this blog, then please be considerate to your sherpas and fellow climbers.

In my cancelled Everest+Lhotse expedition, some idiot did this and the poor sherpas had to clean it up 3 times from recollection.  It came down to 'covert' monitoring by sherpas after use to try to catch the culprit.  Actions like this causes serious disease and sickness and requires immediate attention.

Don't be that person!