Other groups may have camped in the area previously. Consider going for a short walk to dig your cathole, or use a remote location during the day's hike. These practices disperse impacts to water quality and lessen the chance of other visitors accidentally discovering your site. Early in the season when terrain is snow-covered, seek dry ground for your cathole near trees or on wind blown ridges. Human waste buried in snow does not always decompose and may be visible when the snow melts.
Recent research indicates that buried feces decompose more slowly than previously thought.
Pathogens were discovered to survive for a year or more when buried in a mountain site in Montana. The slow decomposition rate emphasizes the need to choose good locations for deposition far from water, campsites and other frequently used places. If there is no gravel, sand, or soil immediately available in which to dig a cathole, your best option is to wait. If that's not possible, two options exists. Smears are quick to decompose, but research indicates that pathogens are not completely killed and may be spread by wind, water, or insects.