- \n
- Gel Hand Sanitizer:\u00a0<\/strong> Gel hand sanitizers with alcohol are a hikers best friend.\u00a0 You aren’t going to have easy access to water so you’ll have to use hand sanitizer frequently.<\/li>\n
- Environmentally Safe Dish Soap:<\/strong>\u00a0 You can use dawn dish soap, but I would highly recommend environmentally friendly soap.\u00a0 A friend of mine gave me a bottle of Sierra Dawn Campsuds cleaner<\/a> and I never turned back.\u00a0 The bottle is small, highly concentrated and is unscented so it won’t attract animals.<\/li>\n
- Teeth Cleaning Products:<\/strong>\u00a0 Don’t forget your Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss.\u00a0 I’ve had more than one time that dental floss has fixed something in a pinch.<\/li>\n
- Wash Cloth and Microfiber Pack Towel:<\/strong>\u00a0 You’re going to need some form of towel or wash cloth to clean up your dishes or bring along a cleaning brush.<\/li>\n
- Toilet Paper and Female Hygiene Products:<\/strong>\u00a0 I shouldn’t need to tell you why you’re going to need toilet paper and feminine hygiene products.\u00a0 Most people prefer to bury their waste in a small 6 inch hole using a camp trowel.\u00a0 The Grizzly Peak Trowel even has a ruler in it to measure your poop hole.\u00a0 Keep in mind that some parks make you pack out all this nasty waste products so you might want to bring a plastic peanut butter jar or coffee can.<\/li>\n
- Baby Wipes or Moist Towelettes:<\/strong>\u00a0You aren’t going to have any way to wash your hands so bring along some baby wipes to clean up.\u00a0 Nobody wants to get poison ivy on their genitals, so wash your hands before and after using the bathroom.<\/li>\n
- Deodorant\u00a0(Optional):\u00a0\u00a0<\/b>A lot of experienced hikers completely leave their deodorant at home, but they haven’t seen me after a week without deodorant.\u00a0 Supposedly deodorant can attract animals, but I’m willing to risk it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Leave Some Gear at Home<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Razors:<\/strong>\u00a0 Let your beard grow and leave your razor and shaving cream at home.\u00a0 Water is hard to come by so you’re not going to be able to shave.<\/li>\n
- Makeup:<\/strong>\u00a0 Hikers look better without all that makeup, maybe that’s just my opinion.\u00a0 Leave the makeup at home there’s nobody out in the woods to see you anyway.<\/li>\n
- Mirrors:\u00a0 <\/strong>Just like with makeup you shouldn’t need a mirror out on the trail.\u00a0 If you throw a mirror into your backpack it’s bound to get broken.<\/li>\n
- Wasteful Products:<\/strong>\u00a0 You’re going to have to pick and choose what kind of disposable products you bring camping.\u00a0 Everything you bring in needs to go back out.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rangetoreel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Personal-Hygiene-For-Hiking-and-Camping.png\")
<\/p>\n
\nHow Do I Shower While Backpacking and Camping?<\/h3>\n
Well the simple answer is that you don’t get to have a real shower, but that doesn’t mean you have an excuse to get scuzzy.\u00a0 You have hand sanitizer to clean your hands and baby wipes to clean up a bit, but that isn’t going to cut it.\u00a0 To get clean after a long sweaty day on the trail you’ll have to get creative.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Trail Showers:<\/strong>\u00a0 Your best bet is going to be a simple trail shower.\u00a0 All you have to do is strip down and wash yourself with a washcloth and a couple buckets of water.\u00a0 If you’re a bit modest you can bring along a cheap WolfWise Pop-Up Shower Tent<\/a> (bonus portable bathroom).\u00a0 If it’s a bit to chilly to take a real shower wipe down with wet wipes and a wash rag with heated water.<\/li>\n
- Soak in The Lake or River<\/strong>:\u00a0 Most campgrounds and parks these days have some form of water feature that you can soak in.\u00a0 Flowing rivers are going to have the least amount of harmful bacteria.<\/li>\n
- Drying Off:<\/strong>\u00a0 You need to bring along a lightweight microfiber towel to dry off<\/a>.\u00a0 Microfiber absorbs moisture and dries quickly so it won’t weigh down your pack.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How To Stop Chafing<\/h4>\n
You’re going to be walking a lot so if you don’t properly prepare you’ll start chafing.\u00a0 With so much sweating and rubbing you’re going to have to clean up good.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Use Wet Wipes:<\/strong>\u00a0 Wet wipes are going to be your best friend on the trail.\u00a0 Use wet wipes to clean up after doing your business to eliminate toilet paper residue.<\/li>\n
- Squeeze Water Bottles:<\/strong>\u00a0 Squeeze water bottles eliminate the need for hand splashing on your nether regions.\u00a0 Properly cleaning your groin and surrounding skin will reduce the chance of chafing.\u00a0 It’s like a portable outdoor camping bidet.<\/li>\n
- Switch Your Underwear:<\/strong>\u00a0 Bring one or two extra pairs of underwear that you can switch between.\u00a0 Wash your underwear everyday and hang them to dry.\u00a0 You can even flip them inside out if you’re really in a bind.<\/li>\n
- Anti-Monkey Butt and Hike Goo:<\/strong>\u00a0 Bring along a little bit of Anti-Monkey Butt Powder<\/a>\u00a0and Hike Goo<\/a> to prevent chafing.\u00a0 The Anti-Monkey Butt Reduces Moisture while the hike goo prevents rubbing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rangetoreel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Hike-Goo-and-Monkey-Butt-e1537411764583.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCleaning Up With Hand Sanitizer<\/h4>\n
Without access to easy water you’ll have to use hand sanitizer to clean up. Hand sanitizer is going to have a million different uses on the trail. Use it when you go to the bathroom, before cooking, cleaning fish etc.\u00a0 If you don’t clean up all that nasty bacteria will end up on your food.<\/p>\n
A lot of illnesses and stomach problems that happen on the trail are a direct result of hand to mouth bacteria. Don’t always blame bad water, with proper water filtration<\/a> you’re drinking water should be perfectly safe. With alcohol based hand sanitizer you’ll kill all bacteria and germs.<\/p>\n
Biodegradable Soap Saves The Environment<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rangetoreel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Sierra-Dawn-CampSuds-Soap-e1537413238110.jpg\")
In the woods traditional soaps wreak havoc on the environment.\u00a0 Soaps like Sierra Dawn’s Campsuds<\/a> are designed to be biodegradable and environmentally safe.\u00a0 You can use the Hisame soap for your laundry, dishes and even cleaning your hands and face.<\/p>\nIf you decide to use traditional soaps make sure you stay away from rivers and lakes.\u00a0 Soaps like dawn are known to cause severe algae blooms suffocating the fish population.\u00a0 Biodegradable soaps on the other hand break down into their base ingredients protecting the natural wild life.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Why do Some Hikers Skip Deodorant?<\/h4>\n
Hikers don’t leave their deodorant at home because they’re dirty hippies(well most don’t anyway).\u00a0 The reason hikers leave deodorant at home is because it tends to attract bugs and other wildlife.<\/p>\n
Hiking experts across the board agree that deodorant will attract natural wildlife.\u00a0 The sweet smells of deodorant are known to attract bugs, raccoons and even bears. I know from personal experience that deodorant and tooth paste attracts raccoons.\u00a0 After a few days on the trail you’ll probably get used to your funky new smell.<\/p>\n
\nCamping Bathroom Tips<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rangetoreel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Pooping-in-The-Woods-e1537416668805.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nPooping in the woods is no laughing matter, but it’s on everybody’s mind when they go into the woods.\u00a0 It’s crazy how few people actually know how to properly poop in the outdoors.\u00a0 Human waste can attract insects and animals if not properly dealt with.\u00a0 It needs to be properly buried and dealt with.<\/p>\n
How To Poop in The Backcountry<\/h4>\n
Before you head out into the woods make sure you have all the supplies you’ll need to go number two.\u00a0 You’ll also need to learn a few techniques to properly poop in the woods.<\/p>\n
Necessary Supplies:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Sealable Plastic Bags:<\/strong>\u00a0 In a lot of different parks you’ll have to pack out your used toilet paper.\u00a0 That’s the best way to lower your environmental impact, but who wants to carry around a bag of shitty paper.<\/li>\n
- Camp Trowel:<\/strong>\u00a0 You’ll need a basic camp trowel like the Grizzly Peak Backpacking Trowel<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Use a lightweight trowel for digging a cat hole.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Where to Do Your Business<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Find a spot at least 200 feet away from both camp and your water source.\u00a0 Find a little bit of underbrush for some privacy on the trail.<\/li>\n
- Look for loose soil and a sunny site that’s going to be easy to dig. Use a trowel or stick to dig a small 6-8 inch hole in the ground.\u00a0 About 4 inches wide should do just fine.\u00a0 If you cant find an area with soft ground look for a rock that you can move.\u00a0 The soil underneath rocks is normally moist and soft.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rangetoreel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Where-to-Poop-in-The-Woods.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Choose Your Method<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Burial:<\/strong>\u00a0 In soil dig a hole 6 inches deep and 6 inches across.\u00a0 At the end of your business bury it with the dirt you remove.<\/li>\n
- Packing It Out:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>There are quite a few parks throughout the country that make you pack out your waste.\u00a0 Use the same method you would use to clean up your dogs wast. Pick it up with a baggie and seal it into a large ziplock bag.\u00a0 Yosemite park suggest using a poo-tube made out of a 4 inch pvc pipe for easier transport.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Leaves vs Toilet Paper?<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/rangetoreel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Toilet-Paper-VS-Leaves.png\")
If you’re going to use leaves make sure you know what you’re doing.\u00a0 I would love to know exactly how many people have accidentally wiped with poison ivy or sap covered leaves.\u00a0 The main advantage of using leaves is you won’t be left with any toilet paper residue and you don’t have to pack them out.<\/p>\nIf you’re going to use toilet paper use as little as you possibly can.\u00a0 Make sure you know what you’re doing before you pop a squat.\u00a0 I would highly advise bringing along some wet wipes to clean up afterwords.<\/p>\n
\nWhat if You Get a Period While Camping?<\/h3>\n
Most people are going to want to deal with a period the same way they would at home.\u00a0 Carrying around disposable products like tampons and pads is going to be your best bet.\u00a0 Just remember that you’ll have to pack out all the used products after you’re done.<\/p>\n
If you’re looking for a more eco friendly option consider purchasing a silicone menstrual cup<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nCaring For Your Hiking Clothes<\/h3>\n
Without running water caring for your clothing is going to be difficult out in the field.\u00a0 Certain fabrics are going to be a lot easier to care for than others.\u00a0You’re going to want to stick to wools in the cold and moisture wicking fabrics in the summer.\u00a0 Anything that reduces your overall sweat is crucial while backpacking.<\/p>\n
How Often to Change Your Clothes<\/h4>\n
If you do a little body cleaning and keep up your trail hygiene you shouldn’t have to carry lots of extra clothes.\u00a0 Most people are going to want to change out of their sweaty hiking clothes when they set up camp.\u00a0 When the sun starts to go down switch into warmer clothes and clean socks\/underwear.\u00a0 At the very least switch into clean clothes before climbing into you sleeping bag unless you want to constantly clean it<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Unless you carry around a suitcase on longer 5+ day trips you can’t carry all the clothing that you’ll need. You’ll have to rotate your outfits or wash them in the field.<\/p>\n
Washing Your Clothes While Camping<\/h3>\n
- Packing It Out:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>There are quite a few parks throughout the country that make you pack out your waste.\u00a0 Use the same method you would use to clean up your dogs wast. Pick it up with a baggie and seal it into a large ziplock bag.\u00a0 Yosemite park suggest using a poo-tube made out of a 4 inch pvc pipe for easier transport.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- Burial:<\/strong>\u00a0 In soil dig a hole 6 inches deep and 6 inches across.\u00a0 At the end of your business bury it with the dirt you remove.<\/li>\n
- Camp Trowel:<\/strong>\u00a0 You’ll need a basic camp trowel like the Grizzly Peak Backpacking Trowel<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Use a lightweight trowel for digging a cat hole.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Squeeze Water Bottles:<\/strong>\u00a0 Squeeze water bottles eliminate the need for hand splashing on your nether regions.\u00a0 Properly cleaning your groin and surrounding skin will reduce the chance of chafing.\u00a0 It’s like a portable outdoor camping bidet.<\/li>\n
- Soak in The Lake or River<\/strong>:\u00a0 Most campgrounds and parks these days have some form of water feature that you can soak in.\u00a0 Flowing rivers are going to have the least amount of harmful bacteria.<\/li>\n
- Makeup:<\/strong>\u00a0 Hikers look better without all that makeup, maybe that’s just my opinion.\u00a0 Leave the makeup at home there’s nobody out in the woods to see you anyway.<\/li>\n
- Environmentally Safe Dish Soap:<\/strong>\u00a0 You can use dawn dish soap, but I would highly recommend environmentally friendly soap.\u00a0 A friend of mine gave me a bottle of Sierra Dawn Campsuds cleaner<\/a> and I never turned back.\u00a0 The bottle is small, highly concentrated and is unscented so it won’t attract animals.<\/li>\n