How To Stay Clean On Appalachian Trail

So, you lot're off to hike the Appalachian Trail. Yous've bought your gear and prepped your pack with advice from gear experts and hiker pros. But how to broach the subject of keeping clean and preparing for your (hushed tones please) period? Luckily, Julia "Rocket" Sheehan has put together a video (below) of her best tips on managing hygiene while camping ground.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways on how to keep oh-then-clean for anyone planning an overnight trip or a thru-hike on the Appalachian (and aye, there will be mention of penises and vaginas ahead).

Adjusted from a recent video past 2022 Trek Vlogger Julia Sheehan. Apply to be a Trek Vlogger.

Peeing

So basic, yet such a logistical nightmare for those with vaginas. You can squat shamelessly like my dog every morning time on my neighbour's grand (lamentable over again for that time y'all saw and yelled at us to get off your backyard!!) or you lot can use a trusty urinal funnel. Urinal funnels help people without penises pee while continuing, which sounds like a dream come true (the things some people get to accept for granted, tsk tsk).

Of import! Be wary of baste-drying for extended periods of time. Urine sitting on the pare tin crusade irritation similar to diaper rash. Rocket recommends bringing a microfiber towel or a Kula fabric to dab-dry. Make certain to wash all your pee products with lather and water to avoid infections or leaner build upward over time. And if y'all opt for baby wipes for clean up, delight note that they are not biodegradable and need to be packed out.

This could be you if only you had a urinal funnel.

Bathing

Rocket endorses using infant wipes as role of a nightly routine to keep yourself smelling fresh and clean (or at least equally close an approximation as you lot can hope for on a hike). Merely for existent, avoid UTIs and yeast infections by cleaning genital areas in improver to your face and armpits. Rocket'southward favorites are Huggies since they're cheap, available in most convenience stores, and gentle on the skin. Again, pack them out, friends! They are NOT compostable (no matter what the packaging says).

Menstruating

Scar was definitely talking about packing tampons when he told the hyenas to Be Prepared.

Ya hate her, she's a pain in the uterus, and yet she shows up to make a big ol' mess without an invite. Yes, it'south your number 1 frenemy, your period. If you're someone who menstruates, make a plan before she comes for a visit, or else you'll be complimentary bleeding with no convenience store for miles.

Menstrual cups may be the hot fad right now, simply they're maybe not the all-time pick on hiking trips. They require sticking your fingers upwards your vagina to pull them out and boiling them to clean. Since your hands are rarely fully clean and y'all simply have ane pot that y'all also eat from, menstrual cups may non be the most sanitary of choices.

But accept no fearfulness, just throw it back to practiced old fashion pads and tampons. Pack a few extra in instance your flow is especially heavy and a couple of ziplocks – one for clean products and one for (say it with me) packing! them! out! Be sure to carry out EVERY function of the tampon, including the core that absorbs all the blood since they're not biodegradable either.

So now, armed with the cognition on how to proceed yourself clean and comfortable, get out, enjoy your hike, and make clean upwardly later on yourself!

Images courtesy of Jernej Furman, Thirdman, and Alexas Fotos.

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