High Altitude Mountain Toilet
Overview
Impactful design that highlights the forgotten dark side of mountaineering glory
Brand
Student capstone
Role
Senior year
Professor
Sang-Gyeun Ahn
Team
Konstantin. Z (D2 Bridge)
Adam. J (Jet Pack Industries)
Barret. W (Outdoor Research)
Overview
Leave no trace behind
Challenge
01 Waste alleviating gel (WAG) bag is not perfect
Difficult to find right squat position
Body shakes while squatting and holding the bag
Aim is difficult
It does not come with a dedicated storage
Body shakes while squatting and holding the bag
Aim is difficult
It does not come with a dedicated storage
Challenge
02 Clean mountain can (CMC) is not perfect
Cumbersome appearance, size, and weight
Single liner bag is unpleasant
Not widely available in retail
Single liner bag is unpleasant
Not widely available in retail
Opportunity
Missing market for a specialized high altitude mountaineering toilet that extends superior comfort.
Research
Exploring the environment
Due to the harsh terrain and climate, the mountaineers would have to use the toilet either inside or near their tent.
Biological urgency, tight space, and fatigue yielded very uncomfortable experience.
Biological urgency, tight space, and fatigue yielded very uncomfortable experience.
Ideation
Sketch and quick mock-up
Ideation
Proof of concept 1
After three users tested both concepts, concept 2 (right) was chosen. Despite the slightly longer use time, users preferred the following:
Rugged, stable seat
Streamline "prep-use-finish" flow
Rugged, stable seat
Streamline "prep-use-finish" flow
Ideation
Improving features
Ideation
Proof of concept 2
Refined Deploy-to-Use
Refined Collect to Pack
Final Design
VBL inspiration
Final Design
Lobster tail design
Final Design
Design extends comfort and ruggedness
Final CMF was inspired by outdoor vehicles and gears that extend comfort in arduous natures.
The prototype seat models, simulating injection molded and over molded high density ethaline (HDPE), yield robust yet smooth appearance and feel. It also communicates a clear direction of the fold.
The final bag prototype, fabricated using 200D PU coated diamond ripstop nylon, offers durability and modularity.
The prototype seat models, simulating injection molded and over molded high density ethaline (HDPE), yield robust yet smooth appearance and feel. It also communicates a clear direction of the fold.
The final bag prototype, fabricated using 200D PU coated diamond ripstop nylon, offers durability and modularity.
