Iconic backpack spot survey at the national level for fecal pollution

TO The National Survey of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has delivered about the findings for hikers, including CDT through Hikers, visiting the iconic Cirque of the Towers of Wyoming. Lonesome Lake, a popular Alpine Gem located under the famous Cirque in the Wind River mountain range, identified itself as the most feciously contaminated lake between 981 bodies of water surveyed throughout the country.

The EPA researchers collected samples of Lonesome Lake and other randomly selected water bodies throughout the country in 2022, but only published the results of their survey last fall. Since then, officials have highlighted the need for more data, which caused a more exhaustive joint investigation of Lonesome Lake this summer for the United States forest service and the Wyoming Environmental Quality Department.

What was found in the water?

A water sample found an alarming concentration of enterococci of 490,895 caliber cell equivalents per 100 milliliters. This figure dramatically exceeds the EPA security threshold for swimming (1,280 CCE/100 ml) for 384 times, so it is a point of concern for human and environmental health.

For CDT through the children, this news carries some ramifications on camp and water filtration. While it is not directly in the red line, Lonesome Lake is only half a mile of the continental division in the popular Cirque of the towers alternating in a region very trafficked by backpackers, climbers and daughters of days.

It is believed that the substantial human presence in this fragile alpine environment is the main cause of pollution, directing directly to the inadequate elimination of human waste.

Lonesome Lake is a popular camp for hikers who finish the Alternative Cirque of the Towers before meeting with the official CDT (red line). Screenshot Ferout.

Discard your poop correctly

All field visitors must continue without leaving tracks, whether they are through the section, hiking or simply go for the day. The collective impact of inadequate waste management can have devastating consequences for water sources, as evidenced by this water survey.

So what can you do to avoid getting sick and minimizing your footprint? First, Always treat your water. No matter how clear or remote it seems to be a source, pollution can still be present. Alpine lakes may seem fresh and fed with the fountain, but you never know how much peanut stalks under the surface. And, in this case, the answer is a lot of poop.

To avoid contributing to the problem, you cave a correct cathol and always pack the toilet paper. Make sure human waste is buried at least 6-8 inches deep and 200 feet (approximately 70 steps) of water sources, trails and campsites. Do not bury or burn your TP; Do not decompose rapidly in most environments, and the amount of traffic seen along national scenic paths far exceeds the breakdown rate of the toilet paper.

What’s still for Lonesome Lake?

Environmental regulators continue their research on the scope of the problem and the possible solutions for Lonesome Lake. Meanwhile, this information should motivate the community through Backcountry users to redouble their commitment to responsible desert practices.

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