edwardripleyduggan
2006-06-07 14:32:42 UTC
I realize that it is an age since I did an owner review. This is not
the one I had in mind (which will arrive in due course) but I thought
it was a useful one. And no, this is not a joke! HTML is at
http://tinyurl.com/grsym
Owner Review: Mont Bell O.D. Paper Roll
Report Date: June 7, 2006
Navigation
Reviewer Background
Product information in brief
Website
Introduction
Features and Design
Field Performance
Summary
Reviewer Background
I enjoy walking in all its manifold forms, from a simple stroll in
the woods to multi-day backpack excursions. Though by no means an
extreme ultra-light enthusiast, from spring to fall my preference is
to carry a pack weight (before food and water) of 12 lb (5.5 kg), more
or less. In recent years, I've rapidly moved to a philosophy of
"lighter is better," within the constraints of budget and common sense.
Reviewer Information
* Name: Edward Ripley-Duggan
* Age: 52
* Gender: Male
* Height: 6' 1" (1.85 m)
* Weight: 215 pounds (98 kg)
* erd-h8khq+VpLFmsTnJN9+***@public.gmane.org
* Catskills, New York State
Product information in brief
* Manufacturer: Mont Bell
* URL: http://www.montbell.com
* Product: Toilet paper
* Year of manufacture: 2005
* MSRP: $3 US
* Manufacturer's stated weight: n/a
* Measured weight (analog scale): 4 oz (115 g)
* Measured sheet width: 4 in (10 cm)
* Measured roll diameter: 3 in (8 cm)
* Color: cream
Website
Mont Bell (also listed variously on their website and elsewhere as
MontBell and Montbell) is a Japanese gear manufacturer with a U.S.
presence via their Boulder store and catalogue. Their English language
website is well designed and easily searched.
Introduction
Japan has a long and superlative papermaking tradition. Mont
Bell's toilet paper may be an unusual manifestation of that country's
fascination with paper, but it's certainly a useful one. The problem
it addresses is that "leave no trace" philosophy dictates that I
should use alternatives to paper for hygiene (e.g. leaves, rocks, snow
etc.), but, practically speaking, there are many occasions when these
materials are not available or simply won't do the job. While regular
commercial toilet paper has its occasional place outdoors, it is not
very biodegradable (if buried, depending on the soil, it is known that
it may take years to break down, and in some settings will never
decompose). Therefore, it should be either burned (with extreme care,
potentially creating a danger of fire) or must be carried out. While
on a day hike, or even a backpack of a couple of days, this may be an
acceptable solution, carrying used TP for a long haul is a nasty
business. Mont Bell's O.D. Paper Roll is one solution to this quandary.
Features and design
Image courtesy of Mont Bell
When I first saw the Mont Bell O. D. Paper Roll, I was immediately
impressed at how light and thin the paper was, yet how surprisingly
strong. There's no cardboard core to the roll, which saves both weight
and waste, and the only wrapping is a paper sheath that can be
discarded pre-trip. The paper is unperforated, i.e. the roll is a
continuous sheet, but (because it is such a gossamer-thin sheet)
sections are easily torn off. For short trips and for the emergency
bag, it's best to unroll a section of the main roll and keep it folded
in a Ziploc baggie. For longer trips, the entire roll may be hauled
along. I've been using it for well over a year, and the two rolls I
originally purchased have lasted very well. I still have one roll
remaining, after extensive use. Despite the price, it's pretty
economic stuff if used carefully.
Field Performance
I have used the O.D. Paper exclusively below treeline (about 4000
ft, 1220 m), primarily in the Catskills and Adirondacks, both summer
and winter, at temperatures between -10 F (-23 C) and 85 F (29 C),
rain and shine. When there's snow in the mountains in winter (not to
belabor the matter too much) I usually use the TP first, followed by
an application of balled snow. I have generally carried the waste
paper out regardless in a sealed bag, as much a result of habit as
anything else. However, I have on a few occasions had to leave it in
place, and am pleased to report that, unlike regular toilet paper
(which forms hideous, ugly festoons come thaw), there's no little or
sign of the O.D. Paper when I've wandered by the spot in the spring.
Placing the paper in water, I can see why this is. Unlike standard
American toilet paper, which retains its structural integrity almost
indefinitely, the O.D. Paper breaks down into small fibers quite
quickly. These fibers (simple cellulose from a plant source, I assume,
as is most paper), should decompose fairly rapidly. At the very least,
they will meld unobtrusively with the soil. I would not use this
product above treeline, where soils are thin or non-existent, or in
very dry environments. In such settings, usually carrying out is the
best procedure for both faeces and paper. I would also caution that
letting this paper get wet in storage will quickly render it useless
for the same reason. If I am carrying a roll, I store it with my hand
sanitizer, etc., in a tiny dry bag, otherwise I'll use a Ziploc as
previously noted.
I have found that often a single layer is not adequate enough for
good wiping, in which case it is better used doubled. It's soft enough
to be comfortable, certainly better than most leaves. I do wish it
were made slightly wider, as 4 in (10 cm) is close to the minimum
width for the job. Beforehand, I'll dig a six-inch cathole. After use,
I'll combine the paper with the faeces, using a stick, to accelerate
decomposition. In our rather damp climate, I would expect breakdown to
be rapid, although I have to admit that my intellectual curiosity has
not yet led me to unearth such a cache a few months later. There are
limits. I'll usually cover the cathole with duff or leaves after
having topped it with a rock, if available, to prevent animal
incursion. If I've done my job well there will be no sign that I've
been there.
While I'll freely admit that this brief review may appear slightly
comic (or disgusting, depending on outlook), there's nothing funny
about finding piles of toilet paper scattered around in wilderness
areas, which is a phenomenon I see far too often. If toilet paper must
be used and left, this is the paper to use.
Summary
The cardinal rule in wilderness travel is to leave things as they
are found. This toilet paper minimizes the impact of a necessary human
function and, used properly, facilitates a "leave no trace" approach.
Pro
* Lightweight but quite strong
* Quickly breaks down to fibres when wet
* Biodegradable
Con
* Sheet width a little narrow
* Must be kept dry (more so than most toilet paper)
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the one I had in mind (which will arrive in due course) but I thought
it was a useful one. And no, this is not a joke! HTML is at
http://tinyurl.com/grsym
Owner Review: Mont Bell O.D. Paper Roll
Report Date: June 7, 2006
Navigation
Reviewer Background
Product information in brief
Website
Introduction
Features and Design
Field Performance
Summary
Reviewer Background
I enjoy walking in all its manifold forms, from a simple stroll in
the woods to multi-day backpack excursions. Though by no means an
extreme ultra-light enthusiast, from spring to fall my preference is
to carry a pack weight (before food and water) of 12 lb (5.5 kg), more
or less. In recent years, I've rapidly moved to a philosophy of
"lighter is better," within the constraints of budget and common sense.
Reviewer Information
* Name: Edward Ripley-Duggan
* Age: 52
* Gender: Male
* Height: 6' 1" (1.85 m)
* Weight: 215 pounds (98 kg)
* erd-h8khq+VpLFmsTnJN9+***@public.gmane.org
* Catskills, New York State
Product information in brief
* Manufacturer: Mont Bell
* URL: http://www.montbell.com
* Product: Toilet paper
* Year of manufacture: 2005
* MSRP: $3 US
* Manufacturer's stated weight: n/a
* Measured weight (analog scale): 4 oz (115 g)
* Measured sheet width: 4 in (10 cm)
* Measured roll diameter: 3 in (8 cm)
* Color: cream
Website
Mont Bell (also listed variously on their website and elsewhere as
MontBell and Montbell) is a Japanese gear manufacturer with a U.S.
presence via their Boulder store and catalogue. Their English language
website is well designed and easily searched.
Introduction
Japan has a long and superlative papermaking tradition. Mont
Bell's toilet paper may be an unusual manifestation of that country's
fascination with paper, but it's certainly a useful one. The problem
it addresses is that "leave no trace" philosophy dictates that I
should use alternatives to paper for hygiene (e.g. leaves, rocks, snow
etc.), but, practically speaking, there are many occasions when these
materials are not available or simply won't do the job. While regular
commercial toilet paper has its occasional place outdoors, it is not
very biodegradable (if buried, depending on the soil, it is known that
it may take years to break down, and in some settings will never
decompose). Therefore, it should be either burned (with extreme care,
potentially creating a danger of fire) or must be carried out. While
on a day hike, or even a backpack of a couple of days, this may be an
acceptable solution, carrying used TP for a long haul is a nasty
business. Mont Bell's O.D. Paper Roll is one solution to this quandary.
Features and design
Image courtesy of Mont Bell
When I first saw the Mont Bell O. D. Paper Roll, I was immediately
impressed at how light and thin the paper was, yet how surprisingly
strong. There's no cardboard core to the roll, which saves both weight
and waste, and the only wrapping is a paper sheath that can be
discarded pre-trip. The paper is unperforated, i.e. the roll is a
continuous sheet, but (because it is such a gossamer-thin sheet)
sections are easily torn off. For short trips and for the emergency
bag, it's best to unroll a section of the main roll and keep it folded
in a Ziploc baggie. For longer trips, the entire roll may be hauled
along. I've been using it for well over a year, and the two rolls I
originally purchased have lasted very well. I still have one roll
remaining, after extensive use. Despite the price, it's pretty
economic stuff if used carefully.
Field Performance
I have used the O.D. Paper exclusively below treeline (about 4000
ft, 1220 m), primarily in the Catskills and Adirondacks, both summer
and winter, at temperatures between -10 F (-23 C) and 85 F (29 C),
rain and shine. When there's snow in the mountains in winter (not to
belabor the matter too much) I usually use the TP first, followed by
an application of balled snow. I have generally carried the waste
paper out regardless in a sealed bag, as much a result of habit as
anything else. However, I have on a few occasions had to leave it in
place, and am pleased to report that, unlike regular toilet paper
(which forms hideous, ugly festoons come thaw), there's no little or
sign of the O.D. Paper when I've wandered by the spot in the spring.
Placing the paper in water, I can see why this is. Unlike standard
American toilet paper, which retains its structural integrity almost
indefinitely, the O.D. Paper breaks down into small fibers quite
quickly. These fibers (simple cellulose from a plant source, I assume,
as is most paper), should decompose fairly rapidly. At the very least,
they will meld unobtrusively with the soil. I would not use this
product above treeline, where soils are thin or non-existent, or in
very dry environments. In such settings, usually carrying out is the
best procedure for both faeces and paper. I would also caution that
letting this paper get wet in storage will quickly render it useless
for the same reason. If I am carrying a roll, I store it with my hand
sanitizer, etc., in a tiny dry bag, otherwise I'll use a Ziploc as
previously noted.
I have found that often a single layer is not adequate enough for
good wiping, in which case it is better used doubled. It's soft enough
to be comfortable, certainly better than most leaves. I do wish it
were made slightly wider, as 4 in (10 cm) is close to the minimum
width for the job. Beforehand, I'll dig a six-inch cathole. After use,
I'll combine the paper with the faeces, using a stick, to accelerate
decomposition. In our rather damp climate, I would expect breakdown to
be rapid, although I have to admit that my intellectual curiosity has
not yet led me to unearth such a cache a few months later. There are
limits. I'll usually cover the cathole with duff or leaves after
having topped it with a rock, if available, to prevent animal
incursion. If I've done my job well there will be no sign that I've
been there.
While I'll freely admit that this brief review may appear slightly
comic (or disgusting, depending on outlook), there's nothing funny
about finding piles of toilet paper scattered around in wilderness
areas, which is a phenomenon I see far too often. If toilet paper must
be used and left, this is the paper to use.
Summary
The cardinal rule in wilderness travel is to leave things as they
are found. This toilet paper minimizes the impact of a necessary human
function and, used properly, facilitates a "leave no trace" approach.
Pro
* Lightweight but quite strong
* Quickly breaks down to fibres when wet
* Biodegradable
Con
* Sheet width a little narrow
* Must be kept dry (more so than most toilet paper)
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Everything you need is one click away. Make Yahoo! your home page now.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/AHchtC/4FxNAA/yQLSAA/V4TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
To read our reviews, please visit http://www.backpackgeartest.org/
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
BackpackGearTest-unsubscribe-***@public.gmane.org
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/