Now that I’ve got you with that fantastic title, it’s time to talk facts about bodily functions on the trail and how you can keep yourself and the outdoors sparkling clean! I am asked about this topic often (usually in private messages, whispered conversations and in the cover of darkness), so I’m bringing it out in the open and sharing some of the tips that have worked for me. Non-menstruating people…please check out the period tips anyway, you never know when you might be able to help someone out like trail legend Dave the Period Fairy.
Weight, comfort and dependability are important on any outdoor adventure. I’ve spent a lot of time chipping away and writing about my pack weight and gear hacks , and that includes my ‘hygiene’ system. Ultimately, what you bring on a trip is a personal decision, but I finally came up with a kit that I felt was the right balance of weight and comfort and recently upgraded my ziplock kit bag to a fancy poop-moji themed Dyneema Bag – because, why not?
“Proper disposal of human waste is important to avoid pollution of water sources, avoid the negative implications of someone else finding it, minimize the possibility of spreading disease and maximize the rate of decomposition.
In most locations, burying human feces in the correct manner is the most effective method to meet these criteria. Solid human waste must be packed out from some places, such as narrow river canyons. Land management agencies can advise you of specific rules for the area you plan to visit.” -LNT
Along with staying dry, clean and comfy….Leave No Trace Principle #3 is to Dispose of Waste properly. Specific guidelines can vary slightly, so check out the Leave No Trace Center for Ethics site for their latest guidelines and be sure to research the regulations of your particular region or trail to learn how to properly pack out ALL of your waste.
Contained in a handy-dandy sandwich sized ziploc bag for freshness: (Upgrade since original post: DCF ultralight poop-moji bag! Srsly. I had to have it.)
- (1) CuloClean Portable Bidet (secret weapon!)
- (1) package of travel sized kleenex (you can use TP, but these were handy)
- (8) 1/2 sheets of VIVA or very strong paper towels
- (1) re-purposed eye dropper filled half-way with Dr Bronners Lavender soap
- (1) tiny bottle of hand sanitizer
- (1) Diva Cup-menstrual cup
- (4) OB Tampons (back up +these have multiple uses, see nose plug)
- (2) panty liner/pads (back up +these can double as first aid items)
Not in the bag, but easily accessible:
- (1) Kula Cloth
- (1) Aluminum tent stake-for digging a 6-8″ deep cathole
- Upgrade since original post: I now have a fancy pants Deuce of Spades Ultralight Trowel! A gift from my smart friend, Pam. She’s the best! Normalize giving poop shovels, bidets and pee cloths as gifts!
- (1) small spray bottle of denatured alcohol (this stuff is great!)
The Heroes of my Hygiene Kit:
“A Kula Cloth™ is the first of its kind – an intentionally (and obsessively) designed reusable antimicrobial pee cloth!” Why would you want a re-usable pee cloth, you may ask? I have been using one since early 2019 and it’s really great to not have to drip dry, or carry in and pack out toilet paper. As a Granite Gear Groundskeeper, one of the most common things I find on the trail is used toilet paper (yes, we pack it out! Gross!) Experienced outdoor women have been using a bandana for this purpose for years and just let the sun’s UV rays dry out/sanitize the fabric. This little gem takes it so much further, with details like:
- Antimicrobial, quick drying fabric. Waterproof on one side, absorbent on the other.
- Ability to Snap shut or leave open- I ditched my bandana mostly because it was dragging around in the dirt every time I set my backpack down. Now I keep my kula clipped to my belt loop (snapped shut or open) for easy access and keeping it clean.
- Awesome prints and details that make it look like “legitimate gear” you can be proud of!
- Community: you would be surprised at how many people have these and the community that it has generated! I love seeing kulas in the wild and knowing that we are generating less waste and staying clean!
Tip: I usually let my kula stay exposed to the sun and rinse it out every day or two, letting it dry overnight. Only use it for #1, never #2 and you’ll be good to “go”.
File under: your new favorite piece of gear you didn’t know you needed. My smart friend, Pam, gave me this nifty portable bidet right before our trip -after at least a year of talking to me about backcountry bidets and sending me this Andrew Skurka video to watch. After a fair amount of giggling, I realized it might be the most wonderful and treasured piece of gear anyone has ever given me. Seriously, thank you Pam. Everyone, buy one for all your friends!
The CuloClean is a nifty little .7 oz plumbing attachment that turns your regular old water bottle into a bidet. Full disclosure: I have never used a front country toilet bidet-but plenty of people all over the world use them every day. This nifty gadget shoots out water in just the right angle and pressure stream to keep everything spiffy clean. On hot, gross days, your body will thank you.
Tip: carry two smart water bottles and make sure to have enough to stay hydrated if you think you are going to use a little extra to stay clean (hot days, etc)
I switched to a menstrual cup for my first backpacking trip around 10 years ago and never went back. Originally, I just didn’t want the hassle of packing out used feminine hygiene products or needing a “special” container for the bear bag as the only female in our Boy Scout Backcountry Crew. I continue to use it today because it’s convenient, requires less frequent changing, is good for the environment and is very economical.
There are a few styles of menstrual cups out there on the market. I went with the Diva cup because its easy to find at Target and your local drugstore.
Tip: there’s a learning curve, so I recommend practicing at home in the shower before you take it on a trip to make sure you get the hang of it.
Thick Paper Towels Instead of Wipes
I ditched bringing wipes after I found out that most brands contain non-biodegradable plastics, and could take up to 100 years to break down. DO NOT BURN, BURY OR PUT YOUR WIPES IN THE LATRINE!
I splurged and bought the thickest paper towels I could find, cut them in half, and like to use them as a washcloth or wipe with water and my Dr. Bronners soap. If you don’t want to wash your face and butt with the same cloth every day on the trail, this is a nice option.
Tip: I bought Viva paper towels and thought they were plenty strong and held up to rinsing, squeezing and saturating with water.
I got this little sample sized Honest Sanitizer spray for free a couple of years ago (pictured in the middle), and I just keep refilling it because I like the bottle size. Gel hand sanitizers are cool, but spray sanitizer is a great multipurpose item that can be used on hands, stinky shirts, surfaces (like the outside of your water bottle after you use it as a bidet) and as a fire starter just to name a few.
Tip: if your bottle is running low, you can add some gel sanitizer to it and it will still spray, just don’t let it get too thick.
I keep my kit, Kula Cloth, trowel/tent stake and hand sanitizer where it can be easily accessed–it’s not going to help you if its in the bottom of your pack!
Step 1:
My bathroom routine consists of taking my bag, water bottle and handy bottle of spray hand sanitizer to the nearest latrine (first choice) or a suitable spot 200 ft away from water, the trail or people. Open your kit and take out the items you need.
Tip: If you are using a cathole, dig a nearby hole after you poop, and use a stick or leaves (not your trowel) to move it into the hole vs, trying to rush or play the “aim game”
Step 2:
Keep your kit handy, do your business and then proceed with your Kula Cloth (for #1 ONLY), TP/Tissue and freshening up the whole area with your backcountry bidet (don’t knock it till you try it). It is VERY important that you have CLEAN HANDS when touching your hygiene kit! This is why I love my little alcohol spray bottle. But loading up your hands with hand sanitizer and trying to only get one hand dirty before you touch your bag, water bottle, etc is a good preventative measure too.
If you are using a Menstrual Cup or applicator-free tampon, this is where you’ll want to use your Dr Bronners soap and water before you insert or remove anything. Alcohol based hand sanitizers and sensitive body parts don’t mix, but you want to make sure everything is clean. Use your backcountry bidet to clean yourself, your cup and hands, being extra careful to keep the exterior of your bottle clean and not let the bidet touch your body. I just spray a little sanitizer on it afterwards just to cover my bases. All menstrual matter goes in the latrine or a cathole, but tampons and pads MUST be packed out.
If you are not using a Menstrual Cup, all items should be packed out and properly stored in a bear bag at night. Here are a few other suggestions, find what works for you:
- Dog poop bags in a larger ziplock (they are opaque, and lightweight)
- A ziploc bag covered in duct tape for privacy with a little baking soda in the bottom
- A peanut butter jar or other hard sided container with duct tape around it
- An old dehydrated meal bag with a zip top.
- Feel free to write “lady stuff, do not open”, “guarded by rattlesnakes”, “POOP”, “PERIOD” or any other helpful information to make sure your campmates don’t confuse your ‘pack it out container’ for anything else.
- Acquire a FREE TOOTHBRUSH from the dentist office (the cheap, single use kind they give you that is preloaded with toothpaste if you forget to brush your teeth the day of your visit). They can be reused, weigh basically nothing and you get to keep your handle! Or this cute little one works too.
- Dried Toothpaste Tabs – You can try making your own in the dehydrator, but mine never turned out. So I bought some toothpaste tabs and and they really leaves my teeth feeling clean.
- Move out of camp, preferably 200 feet, and pretend you are a baby beluga whale SPRAYING your toothpaste as far and as dispersed as you can! No one wants to see your toothpaste spit-blob hanging on a leaf, and toothpaste attracts animals. Plus you and your friends can see who can spit the farthest.
If you only leave with one thing today…
Don’t let pooping in the woods or worrying about how to manage your period ever keep you from an adventure. You’ll figure it out!
Go have fun!
Here are a few more links to mastering the outdoor bathroom experience:
Tips for Peeing Pooping and Periods in the Outdoors -Anastasia Alison Kula Cloth Founder
Ultimate Guide To Eco-Friendly Female Hygiene Outdoors- The Walking Mermaid
Got any tried and true tips to share? Or questions? Shoot em over, I’d love to hear them!
Happy Trails!
~WP