Outhouses were separated by males having a sun shape carved in the door. Females had a moon. Each were responsible for the cleanliness of the building. That is why most outhouses that have survived over time have a moon on the door.
So… not only are they Not the first to the top… but a female beat them to it.
That’s something I’ve wondered about. In 2023, over 1200 people attempted Mt Everest, and around 660 made it to the top (sources vary). The thing is, the climbing season is April and May. So on average, 20 people were on the path every day, and 10 got to the top. They must generate an astonishing amount of all sorts of waste.
There’s a mountain nearish here that has a fire lookout station that is occupied during the summer months. It’s a wilderness area, so no roads, no plumbing… Forest Service minions actually haul backpacks holding 5 gallons of drinking / cooking water up to the lookout. And food too. There is an outhouse up there, but it’s locked to keep hikers from using it. I don’t really want to think about how the night-soil is handled… but what gets hauled up very likely gets hauled down, so no wonder they want to limit its use.
It reminds me of a story I read years ago of two mountain climbers who, upon reaching the top of a mountain, were surprised to find a native priest at the top.
The only outhouse that I’ve ever seen outside a L’il Abner cartoon was outside a gas station in Georgia. It was boarded up. The sign above it read, “Colored.” This was 1970 and it did not seem to be that long abandoned.
I grew up watching the evening news in the 1960s. It made an impression in my mind. This sight made an impression in my gut.
We celebrated when one of our classmates got indoor plumbing by putting the outhouse on top of the high school building, with the sign, “Principal’s Office.” [Nebraska, 1964]
I’m surprised they haven’t built a convenience store yet. Small bag of Doritos, $32.00. ‘Guess the age of the Roller Dog!’ Next year-‘Top o’ the World Tatoo Parlor!’ ’Wise hermit, next left. ’
FRITH RA 2 months ago
So who does the delivery and cleaning?
Ratkin Premium Member 2 months ago
Yeah, but is there indoor plumbing?
I Mad Am I 2 months ago
Way back when…
Outhouses were separated by males having a sun shape carved in the door. Females had a moon. Each were responsible for the cleanliness of the building. That is why most outhouses that have survived over time have a moon on the door.
So… not only are they Not the first to the top… but a female beat them to it.
zzeek 2 months ago
The answer to the question “Why?” was “We just wanted some place to go.”
GreasyOldTam 2 months ago
That’s something I’ve wondered about. In 2023, over 1200 people attempted Mt Everest, and around 660 made it to the top (sources vary). The thing is, the climbing season is April and May. So on average, 20 people were on the path every day, and 10 got to the top. They must generate an astonishing amount of all sorts of waste.
Concretionist 2 months ago
There’s a mountain nearish here that has a fire lookout station that is occupied during the summer months. It’s a wilderness area, so no roads, no plumbing… Forest Service minions actually haul backpacks holding 5 gallons of drinking / cooking water up to the lookout. And food too. There is an outhouse up there, but it’s locked to keep hikers from using it. I don’t really want to think about how the night-soil is handled… but what gets hauled up very likely gets hauled down, so no wonder they want to limit its use.
Imagine 2 months ago
Why did you climb the mountain?
I had to go…
keenanthelibrarian 2 months ago
Where’s Edmund Hillary when you need him?
SHIVA 2 months ago
The Abdominable Snowman is doing his business, after eating the 5 alarm chili earlier at the base camp!!!
Doug K 2 months ago
You can finally get some relief (and relieve yourself in privacy),
some idiot from R'lyeh Premium Member 2 months ago
It reminds me of a story I read years ago of two mountain climbers who, upon reaching the top of a mountain, were surprised to find a native priest at the top.
He was surprised too: “Oh my, you walked?”
Walrus Gumbo Premium Member 2 months ago
With that view you would really “Enjoy the Go!”
bobpickett1 2 months ago
A good supply of TP
Darth Stevious 2 months ago
Not enough Danae lately. Still awesome though.
Rabbit Brown 2105-30 P coat 2 months ago
Mount Carmel has had some of the best news. Why settle for good news when you can reach the best news?
Better news might be on a bunny hill.
CountOlaf2.0 Premium Member 2 months ago
A primitive Port-A-Potty.
dflak 2 months ago
The only outhouse that I’ve ever seen outside a L’il Abner cartoon was outside a gas station in Georgia. It was boarded up. The sign above it read, “Colored.” This was 1970 and it did not seem to be that long abandoned.
I grew up watching the evening news in the 1960s. It made an impression in my mind. This sight made an impression in my gut.
kjnrun 2 months ago
Daughter and I climbed Mt. Rainer several years ago. Quite the experience. Tougher than running a marathon.
freshmeet2030 2 months ago
the next bad news: the toilet paper is frozen
GreenT267 2 months ago
We celebrated when one of our classmates got indoor plumbing by putting the outhouse on top of the high school building, with the sign, “Principal’s Office.” [Nebraska, 1964]
DaBump Premium Member 2 months ago
And they even have TP! Much better than using a handful of snow. Brrrrrrr!
goboboyd 2 months ago
I’m surprised they haven’t built a convenience store yet. Small bag of Doritos, $32.00. ‘Guess the age of the Roller Dog!’ Next year-‘Top o’ the World Tatoo Parlor!’ ’Wise hermit, next left. ’
ladykat Premium Member 2 months ago
It probably drains down the other side of the mountain.
mindjob 2 months ago
They were secretly hoping to find a McDonalds…
skildude 2 months ago
well that answers the question of why it rolls downhill.
mistercatworks 2 months ago
If it ever melts at the top of Everest, the smell is going to be horrible — and not just from the bodies.
eb110americana 2 months ago
I believe there’s an applicable axiom here about something running downhill…
[Unnamed Reader - 14b4ce] 2 months ago
Have you noticed when a guy tells a girl “I’d Climb The Highest Mountain”, he hardly ever does?
Smeagol 2 months ago
A church house, gin house A school house, outhouse
KEA 2 months ago
I always thought it interesting when there was a photograph of climbers being the first to a summit, when the picture was taken from the summit.
PaulGoes 2 months ago
Looks like they get their toilet paper at Costco
eddi-TBH 2 months ago
The Park Service tries to keep ahead of the tourons.
viniragu 2 months ago
Mt. Whitney has a outhouse at the peak.