Global climbing community invited to AAC's waste management meeting

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The American Alpine Club will host an international conference on “Managing Human Waste in the Wild”. The event, called Exit Strategies, will take place in the American Mountaineering Center in Golden, Colorado, from July 30 to August 1.

The aim of the meeting is to tackle the increasing and worldwide problem of waste management in some of the world’s most popular hiking and climbing destinations.

"Human waste is becoming a severe problem [especially] where climbers or trekkers are camped on glacial ice,” says Steve Swenson, American Alpine Club President. “The technology for managing these waste volumes in a sustainable and maintainable manner is still evolving. This conference will be a good opportunity … to learn about the latest research and practical methods for managing human waste in the alpine environments."

UIAA President Mike Mortimer will open the conference. Land managers, scientists and those involved with or working in wilderness areas will attend the event and help to develop strategies for managing human waste in mountain areas.

Experts in the field, including Dawa Steven Sherpa of Nepal’s Eco Everest Expeditions, will give one of the talks.

Plenary sessions, presentations and discussions will be held on various sustainable waste systems, such as the Denali National Park Clean Mountain Can system. Go here for the full programme and list of speakers.

Organisers are trying to encourage international participation and have announced a special offer for Europeans.

The offer includes free attendance (covering conference material and some meals) and accommodation from July 28 to August 1.

In addition, European participants can join the optional hike on August 1 to the Rocky Mountain National Park’s Lumpy Ridge free of charge. They are also encouraged to take advantage of the numerous trekking and climbing opportunities in the area during their trip.

Learn about the UIAA's position on environmental protection in mountain zones.