A Woman Fell Into a Trailhead Pit Toilet in Washington, and We Officially Have a New Nightmare

This story comes from What You Missed, Outside’s daily digest of breaking news and topical perspectives from across the outdoor world. You can also get this news delivered to your email inbox six days a week by signing up for the What You Missed newsletter.

A 40-year-old woman in Washington is recovering from a truly crappy experience.

On Tuesday, April 19, the woman fell headfirst into a pit latrine at the trailhead for Mount Walker on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Pit latrines, or vault latrines, are waterless, non-flush toilets commonly found at campgrounds, trailheads, and other outdoor parks.

According to the Brinnon Fire Department, the woman fell into the toilet during her attempt to recover her cell phone. The woman tried to retrieve the phone with a dog leash, and then she used the leash to support herself as she reached down into the pit. The leash failed and she slid headfirst down into the bowl.

After spending 20 minutes in the toilet the woman found her phone and was able to call 911. Officials with the Brinnon Fire Department Rescue 41 team responded to the call. They constructed a makeshift platform for the woman to stand on, and then pulled her to safety.

“The patient was strongly encouraged to seek medical attention after being exposed to human waste, but she only wanted to leave,” the department wrote on Facebook. “The patient was extremely fortunate not to be overcome by toxic gasses or sustain injury.”