Tags: | longs peak | solar toilet | obscure tech |
2007-07-14 22:27
Long's Peak and the Solar Toilet
Last weekend I went hiking in an attempt to reach the summit of Long's Peak - one of Colorado's 54 "fourteeners" - it is 14,259 feet above sea level. It is probably the most easily spotted and well known fourteener in Colorado's front range area (where I live). Sadly we hiked most of the way to the summit, but we were stopped on the last stretch by snow and ice on the path, and we didn't want to risk our necks attempting to pass it. As well as nearly killing me through exhaustion, this hike afforded me the chance to see an interesting technology in use: the solar toilet. Before this trip I had never heard of a solar toilet, and it was surprising to see a toilet set up along the way, especially since it had large solar collection panels attached to the back of it. Being as curious as I am, one of the first things I did when I got home was to look up solar toilets, and see just what the hell the solar panels were for - since it appeared to me to be almost exactly like any other outhouse I've experienced before. It seems that while it may appear to be technologically advanced, the solar toilet just uses the passive solar energy to compost waste for environmentally friendly use as fertilizer - no computers or fancy electronics involved. It is interesting to see the use of the solar collection technology applied in such a unique way, especially when it's being used so high above the tree line, and so far away from any civilization. If you ever have the chance to hike Long's Peak I am sure you will be glad to see the solar toilet once you reach boulder field, but I warn you, it doesn't afford an incredible amount of privacy (see the picture below).
- Kevin
Kevin (at) Upcsite (dot) Net
If you enjoyed this post, Please consider subscribing to my full-post feed, or subscribing to receive my posts by email. Have anything to say? I love feedback on my posts, so feel free to leave a comment below.
Post A Comment: