Going to the Bathroom
One aspect of life in the woods that is very different from front-country
living is the lack of bathrooms and showers. Spending 5 days in the
wilderness includes learning how to keep clean when there aren't showers
and going to the bathroom in the woods. But don't worry, this trip is
the first time many participants have been in the woods, so your leaders
will explain everything you need to know to be comfortable.
There are some special considerations for hygiene in the woods you
should know before you come on the trip. First, we strongly recommend
that you do not bring deodorant, soap, or scented body lotion with you.
There are several reasons for this. Wild animals in the areas we use,
such as chipmunks, mice and brown bears, are attracted to the same delicious
odors that you enjoy, and if they smell something good, they will bite
through your pack in search of a bite to eat. We provide biodegradeable
soap, which helps keep us clean and has less impact on the environment
than commercial soaps made with perfumes and phosphates. Also, wearing
deodorant when you are hiking every day and not showering is not good
for you because it traps sweat and the toxins it excretes under the
surface of your skin. When this happens for days on end,
it can cause rashes or infections.
Brushing Your Teeth
Oral hygiene is the least daunting part of keeping clean in the backcountry.
While you won't have running water, you can still brush your teeth.
You should still bring a toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste;
your leaders will teach you how to spray the water you rinse your mouth
with to most reduce the impact on the environment. Also, if you are
used to using mouthwash of any sort, you shouldn't bring it with you
as you wouldn't have anywhere to spit it out.
Eye Care in the Woods
Wearing contact lenses on the trip may seem daunting, but it doesn't
have to be. You will not have access to running water on the trip, but
we do provide biodegradable soap. You may also bring a small bottle
of instant hand sanitizer with you on the trip. In this way you will
be able to clean your hands for removing and putting your contacts in.
Also, make sure to bring an extra pair of contacts and/or glasses as
well as plenty of solution for cleaning your contact lenses.
Feminine Hygiene
Dealing with your period in the woods
It may sound like a bummer, but it doesn't have to be. Here are a few
suggestions for making yourself as comfortable and prepared as possible.
1. Be Prepared. Even if you are not expecting to get
your period during the trip, bring adequate supplies anyway. The change
in diet, the strenuous exercise, and spending a lot of time with other
women can all affect your cycle. This is even true if you are on the
pill. Your leaders will not have extra supplies, nor will you have access
to a store, so come equipped!
2. The Backcountry Period Kit. We suggest the following
system for dealing with feminine hygiene in the woods.
Equipment:
-1 small, dark colored, opaque bag or stuff sack
-3 small ziplock bags
-1 travel pack of baby wipes (for cleaning purposes)
-a generous supply of tampons (tampons are much easier to deal with
than pads, but if you have to use pads, go ahead).
Directions:
1. Take the tampons (or pads) out of the box and put them all into one
ziplock bag. (Why carry around a useless cardboard box all week? The
ziplock will also protect your supply from the rain.)
2. Put the travel pack of baby wipes inside a second ziplock bag. (Keep
those vital cleaning supplies moist & protected from the elements.)
3. Keep the third ziplock bag empty to use as a mini-garbage for used
supplies -- all dirty baby wipes, used tampons, and tampon wrappers
should go into the garbage ziplock. (Kind to the environment and to
the group garbage!) If you are a pad user, you may need bigger and/or
multiple ziplocks. If you are concerned about odor, you can put a used
tea bag in the garbage ziplock after breakfast on the trail.
4. Put all three bags inside the opaque bag. Voila: you have a self-contained
period kit! (Oh, so neat and discreet.) On the trail, you should keep
this in an accessible part of your pack.
