ruben massarelli - challenge of managing human waste in high altitude, aconcagua

Challenge of managing human Challenge of managing human waste in high altitude. waste in high altitude.

Case study of the Aconcagua Case study of the Aconcagua Provincial Park.Provincial Park.

Sustainable Summits ConferenceJuly 20-24, 2014

Rubén Massarelli

Aconcagua Provincial Park

Aconcagua

Provincial Park

Campsites

Localities

PeaksRailwayHighwayRivers

Natural Protected Area System Mendoza, Argentina

Sup. 710 Km2

Climate

•Cold and dry (above 4000m below 0°C)

•Freezing days all year round

•Strong winds (200 km/h)

•Mountain rivers

•Under ground water

•Glacier lakes

•Wetlands in meadows

Geology and Soils

U- shaped valleys, moraine deposits

Mountain glaciers

Thin soils, sandy loam

Meadows soils: rich in organic matter

Climbing Season

15 Nov – 15 MarDay treking (1 Day)Short Trekking (3 Days)Long Trekking (7 Days)Climbing (20 Days)

70 % Horcones Valley

30 % Vacas Valley

Season 2013-2014 3.056 Climbers2.480 Trekkers

2400 – 3000 mts. 3000 – 3500 mts. 3500 – 4500 mts. 4500 – 6960 mts.

Horcones - Vacas Confluencia - Leñas Mulas - Argentina Nido - berlín- SummitEntrance Aproaching Camps Base Camps High Camps

Front country toilets

•leaching field is in a alpine meadow

•New Sistem for water extraction – connected to general pipe.

•Visitor Center•50.000 visitors (in summer)•700 people day•Toilets, shower and dishwasher• Information –Tickets sales

• Check In – Check Out • Plastic Bag delivery (for rubbish)

Mid altitude toilets

toilets, shower and dishwashes exits connected to the septic tank.

•chemical products (liquids) affect the pit absorption capacity= new pits constructed

• lixiviation to the soil

• pollution of under ground water and river

septic tank pit

4

Toilets base camps•Each company has its own bathroom (some has 2)•We try to take the barrels in pairs (because the weight)•The barrels are left in a temporary deposit

Toilets high altitude

1

2

3

Why is a challenge? No money from government (NO budget)

Aconcagua produces 98% money for all sistem (16 NPA). Around U$S 1.500.000

$ Only 3 NPA collect money

Mendoza has 16 natural protected areas. The money is for: fuel, food, vehicles, uniforms, personnel, helicopter, doctors, tools, etc.

1 Aconcagua Provincial Park2 Diamante Lagoon3 Las brujas Cavern

Why is a challenge? Limited resources

2 Vehicles

10 Park Rangers30 asistants (Limited training)

16 Rescue patrols (Only for victims in the mountains)

22 Doctors

240 Hours of helicopter

•Tourist assistance•Patrol•Research assistance•Supervise camps•Interpretation•Safety and law enforcement•Work with helicopter•etc

•Staff relay•Medical care •Logistics•Take out of garbage and human waste•Search and Rescue

1 Person for mules control

Why is a challenge?

Management plan has not ended - No study of capacity -

No income limit for climbers or mules Why is a challenge?

Climbers Mules

However…

•Take out 22.500 Kg of human Waste (aprox. 80 fly hours)

•Take out 13.800 Kg of rubbish

•Begin to separate liquid from solids in base camps bathrooms

•100 Days stay in high camps•259 Patrols = 460 Kg High camps garbage

•Mules control in both entries

•52 New Signs

"Other than respect and affection, mountains DO NOT need any of your belongings. Please, take your rubbish with you" 

•Implementation of good practices

thank you!

Photos Thanks to A. Barros – G. Araujo – S. Rossi – P. Betancourt – D. Ferrer