Backcountry Hygiene

    

Keeping yourself clean in the backcountry doesn’t have to be complicated. There are many ways that hikers who are on extended outdoor trips in remote areas can practice backcountry hygeine, from using something as simple as baby wipes to specialized camper shower systems. It is not just limited to backpackers, bicycle tourists, whitewater rafters, packrafters, car campers, and even canoe campers can use these techniques. Below is a  brief rundown of various methods anyone can use.

       Taking a sponge bath only requires one or two 1-quart water bottles, a  couple of bandannas, and some biodegradable soap. Find a spot at least two hundred feet or more from water sources. Using the spray bottle wet the bandanna and scrub the body,paying attention to your "hot-spots". Use a little biodegrable soap on the bandanna to make it soapy. However, do not pour the soap in the water bottle. Use the second water bottle to rinse-off. In hot, dry areas the body will dry quickly,the second bandanna can be used to dry off. This technique is useful for an individual who wants to get clean,especially before entering a town.

       A backcountry shower is another method for bathing while on extended outdoor adventures. Fill the shower bladder with water, cap it, and let the bladder sit in the sun for a while. This allows the water inside the bladder to warm. Then, hang the bladder from a tree branch. The gravity-fed water will pour from the spot, allowing a camper to take a shower. A backcountry shower is helpful for groups, allowing several people to bath,  before refilling.

        Sometimes it’s not possible to use water in order to stay clean. There may be areas where water is scarce, and is needed for drinking instead. When in this situation, one can use baby wipes to clean certain areas of the body.All you have to do is prepeckage the wipes in doubled ziplock bags, in order to retain moisture and requires little space in your pack. Of particular importance are the armpits and groin to wipe away sweat and dirt. Practicing leave no Trace, be sure to pack out the used wipes for proper disposal. Using wipes may not get the whole body clean, but at least they can clean those important areas of the body.
  
    Bathing in the backcountry does not have to be forgotten, and provides a psycological  boost to your adventure. So go ahead and head out into the backcountry, and know you can both enjoy your time outdoors, and still be refreshed.