High Sierra Topix

I've always thought that dumping or burying spent coffee grounds was on par with doing the same with food. In the High Sierra it seems to me to be a bad idea. But I know many people who do this. So am I wrong? Is it actually just fine to sow this form of compostable material in the Sierra, at least in some types of terrain?

It's a bad idea. It attracts animals to your campsite, for starters.

Most backpackers I know don't take grounds anyway---they take VIA

No you are not wrong. Tell your friends coffee grounds is NOT exempt from the "pack it out" rule.

come on. seriously? they're not gonna grow, and you don't have to dump them 20' from your tent. you spread them 100 yards away from where ever you are (or next to Markskor's tent) and they dry and die.

it's biodegradable.

rlown wrote:it's biodegradable.

So are orange peels....

i actually pack out orange peels.

Maybe we need a list..

Actually don't want a list. seems silly. Don't leave a mess. do what is right. simple.

Boo-hoo- my post ended up in the big black hole of computer land. If it mysteriously shows up, hope I do not contradict myself!

It depends. Common sense should prevail. If you are in a heavily used established campsite, then I would not do it. If I were off-trail in a site where once I leave it is not likely anyone will come along for weeks, then I would scatter the grounds, making sure they will not wash into a lake or stream and make sure they are not visible. If I were in a big group of 10 people and we all had grounds, then I would more likely say we all should bury them in our cat holes. I scatter tea leaves; I use instant coffee so grounds are not an issue.

Wandering Daisy wrote:Boo-hoo- my post ended up in the big black hole of computer land.

I HATE it when that happens!

At this rate, we'll be told to pack our urine out too.

I won't be surprised to see a reverse osmosis urine filter win editors choice in Backpacking Mag. soon

Don't drink coffee and you will not pee so much.