Keep it clean in the backcountry

If you spend time in the backcountry, you’ve likely accepted that a certain amount of dirt is part of the experience. But that doesn’t mean you can forget about hygiene, especially for pee, poop and periods. Planning ahead and having the supplies you need can help you stay healthy and have a more comfortable trip.

Hygiene around menstruation and going to the bathroom outdoors really matters for a few reasons. Anastasia Allison is the creator of the Kula Cloth, a reusable pee rag, and an advocate for talking openly about these issues. She breaks the need for hygiene down into three concerns.

• Hygiene supply list
• ◦ Toilet paper
• ◦ Re-usable pee rag
• ◦ Trowel
• ◦ Small bottle of soap
• ◦ Small bottle of hand sanitizer
• ◦ Bag for toilet paper and other waste
• ◦Wipes
• ◦Travel bidet

First is health. If you’re not careful about cleaning your hands after using the bathroom, you could end up with nausea or diarrhea caused by a virus. That’s especially unpleasant and possibly dangerous in the backcountry.

Second is comfort. If you’re drip drying after peeing, you’re risking uncomfortable chafing. Or if you don’t have menstrual supplies and need them, what you improvise may be unpleasant or ineffective. You’re also putting yourself at risk of an infection, including the potential for a urinary tract infection.

Third is mental state. Being physically or emotionally uncomfortable decreases how much you can focus. This is particularly important on long or challenging trips. If you’re distracted by discomfort while descending from a summit or hiking back to the car after a long backpacking trip, for instance, you’re more likely to lose focus and injure yourself.

Everyone's bathroom kit looks a little different, but the basics are pretty simple. Photo by Jessi Loerch.

Here are some tips for backcountry hygiene to keep in mind for your next trip, or to share with any new hikers you bring with you.

Periods

• If you menstruate, always be prepared with supplies when you head outdoors. Getting surprised by your period can make for an extremely uncomfortable hike. Even if your cycles tend to be regular, it’s possible that the stress on your body and change in routine of hiking or backpacking could change the timing of your period.
• If you are planning a long trip, it helps to pay attention in advance to how many supplies you go through in a cycle. Bring that many — plus a few extra.
• If you’re hiking with a group, you might need a bit of extra time during bathroom breaks. Inform the group or the trip leader in advance that you’ll need a few more minutes, so you’re not feeling rushed or stressed during your stops.
• A menstrual cup or a disc might be a good option — especially for longer trips because it reduces how much you have to pack. But there are a few things to consider. First, test out the cup well in advance. There’s a learning curve and you don’t want to work that out on trail. Additionally, there are different styles and size of cups and discs. If one doesn’t work for you, another might. Second, menstrual blood should be treated like poop in the backcountry. If there is a privy, empty the cup into it. Otherwise dig a cathole. If you’re traveling somewhere where blue bags are required, bring a watertight container you can empty the cup into. Finally, bring a water bottle and soap so you can clean your hands and the cup. (Just remember — any soap must be used at least 200 feet from water.)
• All used menstrual products must be packed out. Have a bag designated for this purpose. For day hikes, a dog poop bag is convenient. For longer hikes, you can coat a plastic bag in duct tape or pack along a paper bag if you want to keep the contents of the bag hidden. Small dry bags also work well.
• Remember that used menstrual products have a scent, so treat them like food or any other scented item and make sure they’re secure from bears or other animals overnight.

If you don’t have access to a privy, you’ll need to dig a cathole at least 200 feet from water to bury poop or to empty menstrual cups. Graphic by Daniela Velazquez.

Pee 

• When you need to pee, look for a place at least 200 feet (about 100 steps) away from camp and water sources. It’s preferable to pee on rocks and sand; try to avoid vegetation. This is especially important in areas with mountain goats, who will tear up vegetation to get the salts from urine.
• A pee rag, such as a bandana or Kula Cloth, can be used for drying after urination. They can be clipped or tied to the outside of your pack as you hike.
• If you use toilet paper, pack it out rather than burying it.

Poop

• Again, you’ll want to be at least 200 feet from camp or water. Pack a lightweight trowel to help you dig a cathole at least 6-8 inches deep. Once you do this, place the trowel somewhere nearby where it won’t accidentally get pooped on. Put all used toilet paper into a bag to pack out. Cover the hole well with soil once you’re done.
• While it is ideal to dig a cathole in advance, sometimes your body might not give you enough warning. If that’s the case, find an appropriate spot and, once you’re done, dig a cathole nearby and use sticks or rocks to scoop the poop into the hole. (Don’t use your trowel — you don’t want to risk contaminating it.)
• A backcountry bidet can help reduce the amount of toilet paper you need and help you get cleaner. You can DIY one or there are simple ones available for purchase. If you use a bidet, you might want to bring a small cloth to dry up afterwards. Just don’t mix it up with your pee cloth.

• For more helpful tips: How to Use the Bathroom Outside

Daily maintenance

Be sure to wash your hands (well away from water) or use hand sanitizer every time you use the toilet.

At least once a day, use a wet wipe or wet cloth to clean yourself off. You’ll be more comfortable and less likely to get chafing or infections. If you use wet wipes, you can dry them out in advance to save a bit of weight, then rehydrate them when you’re ready to use them.

Share the knowledge

Even if you’re already comfortable with all of these issues in the backcountry, remember that someone you’re hiking with might not be. Be prepared to talk openly. And if you’re sending a pre-trip message, linking to useful resources can help newer hikers feel more prepared.

Newer hikers might drink less water or try to hold it in to avoid going outside, which can make them uncomfortable and is potentially dangerous. By offering answers in advance, you can help avoid that.

Here's some sample text for a pre-trip message, courtesy of Anastasia. 

Hygiene is an important part of both staying safe and feeling comfortable while we are on the trail. Proper hygiene can prevent illness and discomfort. If you are not sure how to manage any aspect of your hygiene on trail, please reach out and I will be happy to answer your questions or connect you with additional resources. In order to prepare for things to go right during our time together, I'm going to share information about the toilet "situations" that we will encounter while we are in the wilderness together — as well as resources (link to this article or other resources) on how you can handle your own hygiene properly while on the trail.  The information included in this message details the basics of what might be included in your personal hygiene supplies. (Add in a list of supplies, adjust as necessary based on the trip and participants.) Feel free to customize or modify as needed, based on your specific needs.  

For this trip, peeing and pooping and periods will need to be managed in the following ways:  (List what they will have available to them... i.e. a privy will be available in certain spots, but a cathole will be required in other spots... and/or blue bag will be required).