How to Stay Fresh and Clean in the Backcountry
Zoe Huden
Though only 5 p.m., the forest was dark and snow fell heavily. The eight of us (three wilderness therapy guides, plus five participants) huddled around a fire beneath a tarp staked down with snowshoes—our wet and cold bodies packed onto benches of snow with grand hopes of warmth. Socks hung from lines above the fire and 16 wet and bare feet dangled just over the flames.
It was day 17 of 23. Our “family” had been attempting to weave a winding path through the Oregon Cascades, searching for direction, healing and hope. The teenage participants were mostly there against their will, though some had begun to enjoy themselves.
But 23 days in the wilderness with no showers, no change of clothes, no heater or cooler or dryer and teenagers had taken its toll. You’d think this would be a recipe for ripe smells. And, well... you’re right. Try as we might, we guides were unable to impress a sense of backcountry hygiene on our mostly male population. However, living in the backcountry for over half of each year, we developed a quiver of routines and tricks to keep ourselves healthy and clean.
It was day 17 of 23. Our “family” had been attempting to weave a winding path through the Oregon Cascades, searching for direction, healing and hope. The teenage participants were mostly there against their will, though some had begun to enjoy themselves.
But 23 days in the wilderness with no showers, no change of clothes, no heater or cooler or dryer and teenagers had taken its toll. You’d think this would be a recipe for ripe smells. And, well... you’re right. Try as we might, we guides were unable to impress a sense of backcountry hygiene on our mostly male population. However, living in the backcountry for over half of each year, we developed a quiver of routines and tricks to keep ourselves healthy and clean.
5 Tips for Better Backcountry Hygiene
1. Jump In
Whenever there was an opportunity to get into water, I jumped in. In warm and sunny weather, I’d leave my clothes on—or use them as wash cloths—to give them a clean as well. In cold weather, I’d jump in sans clothes so that I could warm myself easily. Soap is not a huge necessity. It’s amazing what water and a brisk scrub can do.2. Wipe-a-Day
In the absence of water and the inescapable presence of dirt, we have but one ally: baby wipes. I rationed myself to one wipe a day, starting with my face and neck, and then moving onto my hands, armpits, and further south in a logical progression. I burned the used wipes in a fire or, if no fires were allowed, packed them out in my duct tape bag (see below).3. Duct-Tape Hygiene Kit
Before going into the field, I made each female participant a duct-tape “fem" kit. I covered a large Ziploc bag in duct tape and included inside hand sanitizer and two smaller Ziplocs, one containing feminine hygiene products, and another for garbage and used products. These sturdy bags kept smells from escaping and provided privacy for the girls; the duct tape makes the Ziploc so durable that I reused my outside bag for years.
4. Warm Water + Handkerchief
They may be simple, but handkerchiefs are one of the most multi-purpose, essential items in our wilderness kit. Serving as a head garment, a fly swatter, and a water sieve, handkerchiefs are also useful as both wash cloths and towels. In cold environments, I would warm a pot of water over the stove and give myself a bath. The warm water cut grease almost as well as soap. Additionally, a just-used tea bag can serve the same purpose (with a bit of nice scent added as well!)
