Reddit reviews Coghlan's Backpacker's Trowel

-lockin'

I carry a thin cable lock at all times, just enough to prevent a grab-and-dash. It also secures my panniers to my frame.

-washin'

I am a big ol' sweaty sweatball, and so I have real trouble going a day without proper cleaning. Unless I know there's a bathable lake or river, I have to take a room or equipped camp-site.

-poopin'

Yep, carry TP everywhere. Also, be a bro and carry a camp trowel - like [this aluminum jobbie] (http://www.amazon.com/TentLab-Spades-Trowel-Assort-DOS-FCM25/dp/B00UTK5HJ0/ref=lp_3400921_1_11?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1452468473&sr=1-11) or [this plastic doodah] (http://www.amazon.com/Coghlans-8408-Backpackers-Trowel/dp/B000BS05Z6/ref=lp_3400921_1_4?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1452468473&sr=1-4)

1. No. You're always striking a balance between cost, convenience, taste, your natural immunity, and risk. Most filters sizes are 0.2microns which get out most of the impurities, especially giardia, which is the important one. Sawyer seems to be going to 0.1microns which will get out even more. But many viruses (which are usually smaller than 0.1microns) and pretty much all chemical contaminants will get through. Various chemical treatments like Aquamira or iodine will kill most bacterial and viral contaminants but not remove chemical contaminants. Boiling it will kill absolutely everything (though require a ridiculous amount of fuel) but leave the chemicals. The best way to avoid chemical toxins is to simply collect water from areas that are unlikely to be polluted by things like agricultural runoff that may include pesticides. Otherwise, the only way to get rid of chemical contaminant is to evaporate and then recollect the water as condensation. In general though, a little common sense and a 0.2micron filter (or Aquamira/iodine) should be enough to protect you. Your immune system can probably handle anything that gets through. Some people (aka Andrew Skurka) don't even filter their water sometimes and have worked instead to build ridiculous immune systems that can fight off most any contaminant. So no, they won't make it safe, but you don't have anything to worry about with a 0.2micron filter.
   
   
2. Standing water tends to have more contaminants than running water. Other signs are algae growth (may indicate fertilizer) no plant growth (pesticide). Bacteria will be in just about everything but as long as you get the giardia out, you should be alright. As I mentioned in #1, most filters are sized at 0.2microns, which is adequate for the average person to be reasonably safe.
   
   
3. It depends how often you can/will fill up. I'm a terrible example of LW/UL practices with my water. I like to fill up my reservoir (3L/100oz) in the morning and never think about it again. Water is ridiculously heavy so this means I end up adding 6.5 lbs to my backpack every morning and carrying it til I use it up. I've found that the amount is almost perfect for my drinking/cooking/washing habits. You may need more or less over the course of the day. And if you can fill up frequently, you can get by with carrying less. Many times, I could carried 2 lbs instead of 6 if I had been willing to stop in the middle of the day to refill. The Sawyer filters make refilling a lot easier though. I'm switching to their 3-Way inline this year, but the minis are supposedly great for those who refill during the day. The more scarce the water and harsh the environment, the more water you'll want to carry. The exception is with snow. Carry more fuel instead of more water because you can always melt snow.
   
   
4. There is no easy way. You just have to pick an area, find out who manages it, and contact them. For example, I am hiking the Michigan Shore-to-Shore Trail this summer. Although it covers mainly state-owned land, it's managed by an equestrian group. I had to contact them and pay $5 for a set of maps. Most government managed land has maps available online for free. The most popular destinations have all sorts of different maps available (i.e. the Appalachian Trail has the official ATC guidebooks and maps, but also the more popular and convenient AWOL guides and maps). USGS also has maps that can be purchased on their website if you can find the grid square you'll be in. If you use a GPS, the Alltrails.com service might be helpful because you can download topo maps onto your computer, map the route yourself, and then upload it to your GPS. I've never used it as Alltrails, but it was decent when it was still the Nat Geo Topo program.
   
   
5. Read the rules or ask whoever manages the land. In general, it's safer to skip the fire if you're unsure. And the rules are a pain anyway with fines that can be atrocious. We got $250 one time even though we were in an area where fires are allowed and where we had built them in previous years - it just so happened that it was a drought year and we had neglected to check. Another time we got $150 for burning green wood, even though a storm had already knocked the tree down.
   
   
6. I just sort of pee wherever. But if you have to poop, make a hole at least 6 inches deep. Go in the hole, wipe, toss the tissue in the hole, cover with the dirt you dug up. Sometimes called "brown blazing," but the more technical term is "cat hole," which is an accurate description if you've ever owned a cat. Some people use sticks or their shoe. I'd say never use your shoe, it won't get deep enough. They also make lightweight and inexpensive potty trowels. Personally, since I'm moving toward a LW/UL setup, I've ditched the trowel and adapted a spare titanium sand stake from my tent to use instead.
   
   
7. I carry two: Purell for general hand cleaning and some sort of biodegradable soap for washing pots, clothes, etc. Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap is always popular. Some people even use it as toothpaste to save pack weight. I use Sea to Summit Wilderness Wash just out of product loyalty. It was the first one I tried and I found that it worked well so I stuck with it. Campsuds is also popular. These days they make all sorts of shampoos, body wash, laundry soap, dish soap, and etc. I don't see much reason to carry it. Just get the multipurpose soap and call it a day. As I said, some people even use the multipurpose as toothpaste so it really can do it all. Read this though regarding biodegradable soap. It's like anything else in the wilderness - use it, but use it carefully and wisely.
   
   
8. Animals are always a danger. Chipmunks (microbears), squirrels, voles, and mice will chew your gear and steal your food. Raccoons and (in some places) ravens will also attack your equipment and rations. Larger animals like bear, elk, and moose can be outright dangerous. Poisonous snakes are rarely deadly but are still dangerous. Whoever manages the land will be able to tell you what wildlife inhabits the area. After that, you can read up on how to be safe near those animals specifically.
   
   
9. See #7. Beyond that, I've never dealt with a grizzly. For black bears, handle your food and wastes properly. Never cook or eat where you will sleep. Do not store your food with you at night - hang it with the PCT method. Additional items like a bear canister (ex: Bear Vault), bear sack (Ursack), and odor bags (Loksak Opsak) can help protect you and your food, but proper practices are the best line of defense. If you're seriously worried about bears, attach a bear bell to your gear while you hike in bear territory. Bear spray (pepper spray) is another option. Neither a black bear nor a cougar will actively hunt you, so you're safe as long as you're careful. They generally only attack if provoked. Otherwise, they're usually just trying to get at your food or protect their young. Snake and spider bites happen, they are super painful, but they are treatable. A healthy person will rarely die if he/she receives treatment. Just be careful and see a doctor if bitten. Ticks are probably more dangerous than snakes and spiders - they're difficult to detect and can spread Lyme disease.

It is. Coghlan's https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BS05Z6/

Helonix Chair Zero is really nice if you have an extra 100 bucks rattling about in your pocket. Or just use a rock or a log. If you get one, be sure to get the footprint for it if you are camping on loose soil.

You also should bring a small trowel for when nature calls.

The reviews on THIS make me laugh.

"Its a trowel. You dig a hole. You poop in it. You fill it up. You leave. Is capable of doing that. Good poop hole digger."