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A video aiming to encourage people venturing into Aotearoa New Zealand’s mountains to respect the pristine alpine environment by taking their human waste home with them has been released by Canterbury University.
Climb it Clean, created by Canterbury University researchers and partners, stars mountaineers sharing their favourite slang for poo, bowel movement routines, and tips for conveniently and cleanly defecating in the open air.
In the video, “occasional adventurer” Emma Holdaway gives specific advice for women in the mountains and says her preferred time to go is in the morning.
“When we decide to come into the mountains, it’s part of our responsibility to really honour the space that you’re entering. This environment is for everyone. Nobody wants to see solid human waste up here.”
Alpine guide Taichiro Naka says he needs several cups of coffee to get moving.
“If you’re above the snowline or on a glacier, human waste doesn’t break down, so it’s really important to take your own waste out with you,” he says.
Te Rūnanga O Arowhenua Upoko (Head) Tewera King says Māori view Aoraki Mt Cook as a living entity.
“We view it as a tipua (revered being), as a tupuna (ancestor), and as the big daddy. People want to go up there and experience what it’s like to be part of a maunga.
“We don’t like people crapping on it. Would you really want to crap on one of your ancestors or one of your close relations?”
Leaving human excrement in the mountains also poses sanitation problems for people downstream and pollutes fragile eco systems.
Canterbury University Faculty of Health Associate Professor Chris North, who teaches Outdoor Education, says he, Faculty of Education Senior Lecturer Dr Toni Torepe (Ngāi Tahu) and School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing Research Associate Dr Lynette McLeod created the video to build on research that shows mountaineers know poo does not belong in the outdoors but lack awareness of available methods.
“We hope this video taps into people’s love of the mountains and makes them think about simple steps to reduce their impact. We know people want to do the right thing – environmentally and culturally – and this video shows them how,” says Chris.
“Our research into mountaineers revealed that many are unaware of the available products and how easy and hassle-free it can be to carry out their waste,” says Lynette.
“This video offers a compelling nudge in the right direction.”
“Arowhenua whānau care deeply for Aoraki and this is a real opportunity for mountaineers to support the values of mana whenua, not just around Aoraki but all maunga,” says Toni.
Climb it Clean, which is being issued as people set out on their ski touring trips and look ahead to summer adventures, is a collaboration between the University of Canterbury, the New Zealand Alpine Club, Tūpiki Trust, Leave No Trace New Zealand and Te Rūnanga O Arowhenua.
Watch the full video here, and read about the research mentioned here.
