Hygiene and Femininity in the Backcountry

The term “hygienic” takes on a whole new meaning the further you are from a sink, shower, and toilet. Learning to redefine your previous understanding of feminine hygiene is important when wandering into the backcountry for any extended period of time, (even one night of camping, for some). Here are a few tips to make this transition a little less shocking. First, be prepared to go au natural – you will be much happier throughout your trip, guaranteed. For some, this information may come as common sense or second nature, but I have actually been a first hand witness to a young girl trying to pack her blow dryer, in addition to six pair of jeans, before heading out on a five night canyon trip. Needless to say, there was a quick, and powerful intervention before we hit the trail! Although I rarely see situations this extreme, it is a good jumping off point for the new backpacker. Usually, women who have decided that they want this type of activity to be a regular part of their life are not too concerned about letting go of the makeup and hairdryers during outings. But, like I said earlier, this is only the first step.

#1. When preparing your “wardrobe” for your trip, save weight!! You are going to end up dirty, stinky and ragged no matter what you do. Don’t bother bringing a fresh outfit for each day. I bring one daytime outfit and one evening outfit no matter how long I’m planning on being gone. I bring an extra t-shirt, so I have something dry to put on the following day, and I trade off wearing these two t-shirts. Depending on the type of climate I’m backpacking in, I might bring an extra pair of shorts, in case my one pair gets wet. Although this topic deserves an article of its own, bring clothes that are designed for backpacking. Avoid cotton and canvas, and try sticking to nylon, Polypropilene, and Capilene. These fabrics are lightweight and quick to dry. Cotton t-shirts, socks, underwear, etc. don’t wick as well, and take longer to dry. Although I pack light, I rarely skimp on socks or underwear. I will bring enough that I can change every day or every other day, again depending on the environment I’m traveling in. I found out the hard way that backpacking in wet, dirty, or stiff socks gives you blisters. All said and done, your clothes should take up less room in your pack than anything else.

#2. Packing your toiletries should take very little time or energy. I highly recommend that you leave all your makeup at home, and that you avoid wearing any before you head out on the trail. Besides the obvious reason of not wanting to sweat and smear mascara all over your face, you should realize the benefits of saving weight and time. I also recommend avoiding antiperspirant/deodorant. This might be a harder one to give up, but trust me when I say you will be much less annoyed by your own aroma than the collected clumps of old deodorant clinging to your pits. My friends and I have a backcountry hygiene, self-cleaning theory. Basically, the belief is that avoiding all the man-made products that change your appearance or natural odor allows the body to purify itself and do its job the natural way. I have found that taking extra products on the trail is more of an inconvenience than a luxury. If you find yourself wanting a moisturizer or lotion for your face or hands, I usually use sunscreen, morning and night. Finally, another topic worthy of its own article, is that of biodegradable soap. Do not bring a traditional soap that can effect or harm the environment. Use a biodegradable soap for all of your washing needs. I recommend Dr. Bronner’s or Camp Suds. My toiletries kit usually consists of a toothbrush, small tube of toothpaste, contact stuff, (unfortunately), biodegradable soap, and a small, quick drying camp towel. I replace a brush with a rubber band and a baseball cap. That’s it, that’s all and that’s the way you save time, energy, and weight! Now, the hygiene question on everyone’s lips: “How do I deal with my personal waste?” The simple answer to a difficult question is, “pack it out.” The finer details can be broken into three categories.

a. Peeing – Squatting in the woods is an art to master! I have perfected squatting and peeing with a fully loaded pack. This has saved me time and afforded me a certain kind of convenience that is only mastered with practice. The number one rule with peeing is stay away from water! You should find a spot at least 200 feet from running or standing water. I like to recommend the drip-dry method, mostly for the sake of the environment. The drip-dry method saves a lot of paper waste as well as time and energy. If you are on an extended trip and choose to drip dry, but have hygiene concerns, I highly recommend bringing sanitary wipes and cleaning yourself whenever you put on fresh underwear. Be conscious of packing these wipes out with you in a zip-locking bag.

b. Pooping – Although constipation is a common backpacking problem, you may have to poop while you are on the trail. When preparing to poop, find a spot at least 200 feet from water. With a small shovel, dig a hole 6 inches deep. Squat, poop and wipe. There are differing opinions on wiping. Some people insist on wiping with anything that is already there in the environment, for instance leaves, bark or dirt. You can run into some problems if you follow this advice, but it is an option. The other obvious choice is toilet paper. Again, there are two camps on toilet paper waste. In areas with rich soil, it is sometimes acceptable to bury a moderate amount of toilet paper in your six-inch hole. I recommend packing all toilet paper out with you. This way you are sure that you are doing the most low impact practice, regardless of your location or situation. If you are in a fragile, desert ecosystem, it is an acceptable practice to smear your poop on a rock instead of burying it in a hole. In this environment you should definitely pack out your paper. After pooping in a hole, cover the hole, making it look as much like you found it as possible.

c. Menstruating – Do not leave used feminine hygiene products in the backcountry. Even when buried, they are often dug up by wild animals, and are bad for the environment. Pack out all waste in double, zip-locked bags. Animals are very attracted to the scent and will be drawn to your pack or tent if they smell menstrual blood, hence the importance of double bagging. Another option that I haven’t had the opportunity to try, is a menstrual cap. A product called “The Keeper” allows you to leave all hygiene products at home. This being the most environmentally sound option, I recommend researching it before you head out on a trip. Keep sanitary wipes handy, and clean your hands thoroughly.

Taking care of yourself while on the trail may seem intimidating at first, but with knowledge and practice is refreshingly easy. You may be blessed with a sense of freedom rarely felt at home. Most importantly, be environmentally conscious in all of your decisions.

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Related articles:

1. Backcountry Gear Checklist
2. Backcountry Nutrition
3. Low Impact Camping Guide