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High Altitude Mountain Toilet
Impactful design that highlights the forgotten dark side of mountaineering glory
Brand
Role
Responsibility
Partners
Adam. J (Jet Pack Industries)
Barret. W (Outdoor Research)
Waste alleviating gel (WAG) bag is an imperfect solution
Difficult to find right squat position.
Body shakes while squatting and holding the bag, making aiming difficult.
It does not come with a dedicated storage.
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Clean Mountain Can (CMC) is also an imperfect solution
Cumbersome appearance, size, and weight.
Single liner bag is unpleasant.
Not widely available in retail.
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There is a missing market for a specialized high altitude mountaineering toilet that extends superior comfort.
Exploring the environment (Simulation)
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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.
Sketch and quick mock-up
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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.
Proof of concept 1
After three users tested both concepts, concept 2 was chosen. Despite the slightly longer use time, users preferred the following:
1. Rugged, stable seat
2. Streamline "prep-use-finish" flow
Improving features
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Exploring Easy-Exchange WAG bag and installation ideas. All ideas aimed at one goal: User to use clean bag for every usage.
Proof of concept 2
Refined Deploy-to-Use
Refined Collect to Pack
VBL inspiration
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Lobster tail design
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Final Design
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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.