I finally have the funds to thruhike the AT. Enough for my gear. Enough for the hike. Enough for bills at home. Enough for bills when I get back. This has been my dream for years and I would like to say I appreciate the content you make. It has helped to put myself into a position to pass the time as i worked over several yeats to make this possible next year. Finally. Thanks again.
For cleaning up after a privy stop, after the toilet paper, try using 1/2 paper towel dampened with dilute alcohol (squeeze out the excess). The paper towel material is perfect and won't disintegrate like toilet paper. Wipe, fold, wipe, fold, etc. I can't recommend this enough, and use it all the time, and it works great. You can adjust the ratio of alcohol/water to your comfort level. This permanently eliminates the problem of carrying around undesirable nastiness all day.
It seems to me that, for sanitary body wipes, a hiker could use the following: Buy a yard (or so) of cloth (whatever texture and color you want) from Walmart and cut it into three foot by six in strips. Fold each strip into six inch by six inch squares and stack them all on top of one another. Next, prepare a (zippered) Ziplock freezer bag with a solution of 50% alcohol and 50% water, say about a cup or so total, just enough to wet the pile of folded cloths. Then stuff the pile of cloths into the Ziplock bag and close it. Just one of these strips is the equivalent of a shower, the three foot length allowing you to clean your back. I used this when cross country trucking, and it gave the equivalent feeling of a shower, which lasted for long enough to get a good night's sleep. Using it again in the morning allows several days of operation without a real bath. Also, they are reusable, so after the trip just wash them. If you carry alcohol fuel, these can be prepared in the field.
In 2018 during my hike, I met a guy named Grizzly. I wound up hiking past him. Later that day I arrived at a 6 person shelter with only 4 people in it. I went to put my pack down when one of them says "Oh that spot is taken, he is just at the privy". I was having a bad day as the frame in my pack was bent in and digging into my hips. I walked uphill to a tent spot set up and went to sleep. The next morning after packing up, I went back down to the shelter to use the privy when I see Grizzly there getting out of the shelter. I asked him how he slept in the shelter since he came after me. He replied that he has met the other 4 people before and they pull this crap saying the shelter is full when it is not so they can have it to themselves. With that said, my rule is, if there is no pad down the spot is free.
Oh, what happened to the good old days of hiker etiquette that said there's always room for one more? A group, no - but then again, groups aren't supposed to stay in shelters anyway. A lone hiker doesn't take up that much room - punting someone out to a tent site unnecessarily is just rude. Sorry for your experience -
I believe attitude is important. unfortunately there are those who have an excess of entitlement and a lack of manners...which hass caused many trail angels to quit helping. in this situation i sense those who had a little of both. i am preparing mentally to deal with the challenges like these with style and grace. life is too short to have a bad attitude on trail.
@@AmericanDrainWorks That experience was the only bad one on the trail. What I left out from that story was that for the three days before that, I was dealing with a broken pack that was digging into my back and hips and all I wanted to do was go to bed so I could get to the NOC the next day to replace it. That did have a negative impact on my mood that day. After that I never had an issue like that again. In fact the bubble I was hiking with joined together to fight those entitled Karens
Hiker etiquette, who has the right of way- another reason for the downhill hiker yielding: the downhill hiker has a full view of the trail and will generally see the hikers coming uphill. An uphill hiker usually only sees the ground in front of them. ❤️
Do whatever is necessary to check for ticks. I haven’t been able to hike (or work, or drive) for 12 years due to severe chronic fatigue and dizziness related to Lyme+. It’s nothing to take lightly.
I'm sorry that you got that crap, my niece got that. I never got it but it was common to get ticks on us during hunting and fishing days. We didn't know about Lyme disease but we did wear a strange concoction on our clothes. It was a mix of oil of citronella, kerosine and alcohol.
Definitely. Remember, it takes a few hours for the bacteria in ticks to get into its saliva so the sooner you check and remove, the more likely you will be safe. Do what it takes and don't wait.
Always had a rain poncho with me that served well as a changing station. Could stand anywhere and totally change clothes without scaring people. Also did laundry wearing nothing but shoes and my poncho, no one was the wiser to my schemes
A poncho is my rain gear. I hammock camp and don't have the privacy of a tent. Wrap my pack in it at night to keep it dry, use it under my hammock to step on, use it to change my clothes under, have used it to do number 2 under when there are a lot of people around, keeps my pack and straps dry when hiking in the rain. Most people don't think about how much water the straps soak up in the rain. You don't sweat near as much as you do in a rain suit. Don't have to take your pack off when it starts raining. Can be used as a quick shelter in a sudden rainstorm or if you need shade. Probably one of the most versatile pieces of gear you can carry.
The best portable bidet I've used is made by Pika Outdoors. It's called the Backwoods Bidet. It screws onto a standard SmartWater bottle, so no messing with O-rings, and is the liggtest weight one.
Bidets: I use a Bidet on trail. One tip that really helps is to "pre wet" the area with the bidet BEFORE going #2. The clean up is much better and faster. You actually use very little water (maybe 1 to 2 oz) and I have used Smart water bottles and Fiji water bottles with no issues. I have used both the Culo Clean and the Holy Hiker bidets and both work well. In fact, I carry both because 2 is 1 and 1 is none and they are very light. The area dries quickly. Most times I don't dry but carry a bandana in my Sh Kit to wipe dry if I feel the need. I do use filtered water and just take my water bottle and insert the bidet. After using, I sanitize my hands and then take out the bidet and put the cap back on. Practice up at home on the toilet. Put the seat up and squat and go and then clean up using the bidet. Believe me, if you practice at home, you will have no issues on trail. I have used the bidet going in a cat hole and also inside a privy. No issues. Peeing in your tent: I use a collapsible 48 oz. Nalgene bottle. (yes that's a lot but I don't want to have it fill up!). Never had an issue but maybe replace it every two years. When I get to town or home, I rinse it out with soapy water and then spray disinfectant into it (if home). John from MI
@@suzannehedderly1331 Well that was quite the typo!!! Thanks for catching that. The banana turned out to be quite slippery so I switched to a bandana. LOL
TICKS! Magnification is sometimes required. I've removed ticks so tiny that I could not see them without strong magnification, they were almost completely dug in because their mouth was so small. A magnifier can also be used to start a fire when it is sunny. I always give my legs a quick check while walking whenever I push through brush or tall grass. Best to find them instantly before they crawl around.
FUD (Female Urinary Device), a wide mouth plastic jar like peanut butter works great for women to pee in without a FUD. The women pilots back in the day used Mason jars. The easiest FUD to use is a oil funnel., a little bulky though. Thank you for another great video, safe travels.
Lots of good advice here. On shaving - I don't like having a beard and carried a simple Bic disposable razor (the yellow ones) on my thruhikes. It weighs next to nothing, don't clog up as easy as more advanced razors and each lasted a couple of weeks. Don't dry shave, but shaved in towns and on trail when necessary and/or convenient. On trail I'd just wet my towel and hold it up to my face for a minute. That's enough to get the skin moist enough for a reasonably pain free shave. No soap required.
Hi Dixie. Love your videos. Here's a technique I learned long ago to have a hot "bath" in a busy New Zealand hiking hut, when it's freezing outside. I heat water to the desired temperature and half fill a large basin or a pot big enough to stand in. I take off my top and put on a long raincoat inside-out without putting my arms in the sleeves and I zip the raincoat closed from the inside. Then I take off the rest of my clothing except for the long raincoat. I step into the basin and get wet, lather up with soap and then rinse off. Next, I take my hiking towel and dry myself off under the raincoat. Then I put on my clean trousers, take off the raincoat and put on a clean top. First time I did this, I got a round of applause from the other hikers. It feels truly great going to sleep after a hot "bath" in a hut.
@@Nynke_K I know the Z-Packs food bags hold water, but I don’t know if they are big enough to stand in. I might try it to see, then it can double as a shower basin.
@@Nynke_K In New Zealand, there are often large cooking pots and basins left in the hiking huts. I'm embarrassed to admit it but once on a long hike I carried an inflatable basin - and it was great. It's a ridiculous luxury, I know, but it's awesome to soak your feet in a hot "bath" at the end of a long day's hiking.
I’ve always found that until your tent endures a decent rain, and the fabrics get a chance to absorb & stretch.. you are at risk for leaks. I’d set up your tent at home first & spray it down with a hose & let it dry. Then spray it again and see if it’s leaking anywhere. Then hit that with a sealant
Here's a video subject I'd be interested in: common trail maladies and how to avoid/identify/treat them, such as chaffing, trench foot, tendinitis, blisters, Lyme’s disease, Hantavirus, Giardia, stress fractures, sprains, sore muscles, dehydration, hypothermia, poison ivy/sumac/oak, stinging nettles, yadda yadda yadda. ... Oh, and bears. Definitely how to treat bear injuries. This keeps me up at night.
I use my "old lady bod" as a weapon while camping. People were walking though my campsite in Joshua Tree and I yanked off my top with a bra on. Oh boy! they stayed away! Ha ha ha..Hey kids? this is your future; wrinkles, saggy skin, bumps and lumps! heh hee
Also as you age you attain a "give a shit" attitude. There are more important things to worry about than whether someone sees you while you're changing clothes or bathing. I've found that baby wipes are essential. Cold water bathing technique: run in get wet, get out and soap up, run back in and rinse off, get back out, towel off and get into the sun.
I"m impressed! I just discovered this channel and find your commentary valuable, well expressed, without being preachy. Thanks, I'll be visiting again soon.
Dentures: We RV a ton and do car travel and for my Moms dentures we just take a small ziplock bowl with a twist lid. You want the twist lid so that the bowl does not leak. This works very well for travel because it is small AND if for any reason it needs to be replaced you can purchase them at any grocery store or wal-mart. There are "travel denture cups" but we found that they do leak. Have fun!
i use my phone in selfie mode (instead of a mirror) to check for ticks. If I can't see clearly, just take a picture, then you can zoom in and see better. Gotta save weight somehow 😁
I got stung by a bunch of bees in the Smokies, and used my phone the same way. I checked to make sure I had the stinger out of my back, and to see how many times I got tagged.
I've got a little experience hiking....been doing it for 30 years....and I have asked a 1000 questions to people who've generously helped me.....it has saved me TONS of headache. The golden rule applies all aspects of life. Love the video Dixie....great work as always.
Regarding the bidet - I just carry a bottle with a sport top and use it to squirt water on my unmentionables at the end of the day. Really helps wash off sweat and salt and, you know, other stuff.
Thanks for sharing all these tips - they (and you) are a great inspiration to my wife and daughter. Regarding bidet vs. paper, let me suggest a combination - which my late mom taught us. Being from/born/raised in SE Asia, washing as opposed to wiping with paper, is quite common. Anyhow, mom's technique was to wipe with some paper the 'excess', then wash (bidet). This makes it less, well, gooey unless you've managed to pack a lot of fiber in your diet... Pat dry with a bit more paper (any of which shall be treated responsibly and thoughtfully!) afterwards. Then wash hands with soap. I'm still trying to convince my ladies about shee-wee and the like, but oh well, one challenge at a time. Thanks for your entertaining and empowering videos. Blessings from Downunder.
As a trail runner, I keep a Frog Togs poncho in my car so I can change out of my wet running clothes before I drive home. I just put it on top of me and change under it (because it's huge). You could do the same on a hike.
Dixie, I'll make a comment about the seam sealing. Might think about it on your rain gear once in awhile too. I recently pulled out an REI rain jacket that I've had for about 40 years and wore it out when we had a very heavy pour down here and found the hood leaking like a sieve!! Used some seam sealer on it and it's like new!! Glad it worked as I've loved that jacket for a long time especially because it's actually hip length which I've not found in a rain jacket since!! Also, because the hood is deep enough to cover any cap brim!
A gallon zip lock bag is SO much easier than a she-wee for me. Just kneel and hold the bag front and back, it gives a lot of space for error. I've been too sleepy to notice how much I had to pee and ..... Backfilled a she-wee before, lots of mess. A gallon bag in my tent has made my camping nights much better, lol. Just seal it up tight!
Just an update, Great Smokey Mountain National Park quit requiring people sleep in the shelters in 2020 with the pandemic. Just hiked that section and tent camped every night outside the shelters.
Dude that south VA accent is great. Even if you didn't know anything about hiking I would still listen to you. I always get the impression that anyone who has that accent I expect them to know everything outdoors lol
These video's are so valuable, thanks for making them! It really helps when you can just talk about the "embarrassing" things because those are exactly the issues people always deal with, because they don't want to ask. :)
Yep, I used the Frechette for ladies from REI on my car camping trip. Saved my life in the desert. But, I needed a roll of paper towels for drying off myself and the Frechette after use before I popped it into its ziplock bag. It's a tradeoff. The only problem was that the pipe part was not long enough and I kept peeing on my shoes until I figured how to use it, which made me irate! Hot desert, stinky shoes, no! Size matters! LOL!
Very happy to hear the others, checking themselves for ticks the way I did ... the front part isn't bad ... back half can be problematic - headlamp being shone on the rear business area, feet in the air, lamp/phone being used in ways I never thought I would. All great info in the video though - thanks!
Oh and I also want to thank you for the "judgement free zone" feeling. I had a person tell me I dont derserve to hike the AT because I couldnt afford better gear. how rude!
I would enjoy telling that person, all my gear is handmade (by me, on the cheap), custom, and way more exclusive. In reality, most of the gear is overpriced, and as long as you have the items you need to be safe, who cares?
That is absolutely ridiculous! I’m sorry you had to hear that. I’ve always (like since I was a little kid) loved camping but my parents (I’m an only child) weren’t into camping at all- their idea of “roughing it” was staying at a 3-4 star chain hotel, if you know what I mean. So I didn’t get to “camp” much, I didn’t ever really “hike” a whole lot- and then I hit my 20’s and that’s when I kept a small backpacking tent in my car at all times (for various reasons- I wasn’t an angel in my 20’s & sometimes I wouldn’t be “welcome” home under certain circumstances lol- luckily I’ve cleaned up my act & learned a lot of lessons!)- I started watching all kinds of videos this year bc I want to “upgrade” my gear- and by “upgrade” I mean- I want to buy myself a new sleeping bag & a new tent lol- then I came across the idea of hiking- and I would literally never be able to afford all of the “name brand” gear, if I wanted to get out and enjoy nature within the next 2 years! Oh, one of those lessons I learned? Humility. Apparently the people you came across missed that lesson. I’m grateful for what I have & I’ll buy what I can afford- use that stuff and if it fails me, I’ll just keep saving $ and repairing until I can afford a better QUALITY setup. Whatever happened to just enjoying nature? I agree with the other person that commented saying “they aren’t true hikers”- if you just want to collect name brand gear, go ahead- but don’t shame people that don’t have it. My store-brand “2-3 person backpacking tent” is over 15 years old & still hasn’t leaked once! Only reason I want to “upgrade” is bc I’d like either a lighter weight tent, or a car camping tent with more room, so I could just pitch it in the back yard if I need to and have my own portable “she shed”.. smh, some people..
@@GypsyGirl317 well put. I do like my pricey gear, but started with dollarama and bargain stuff. My current hammock is from wish lol. Although I would like to get a draumer XL eventually. Starting from the bottom makes you appreciate the really good stuff later and some of the bottom dollar stuff is as good as the stuff that cost 20x more. I particularly like dollar store dry bags. If I get a season out of a $3 dry bag I'm happy. But if my $45 sea to summit bag rips in its 2nd year it hurts my soul.
Yeah, that's garbage. I could probably afford higher-end gear but I'm not interested in spending that much. Plus, some of my cheapest gear is also some of my best (BRS stove, anyone?)
Dixie, my family has been with you since the beginning of the AT. Love your channel. We binge watched your AT series over the weekend. You were gorgeous back then and you are stunningly beautiful now. Your love of life radiates.
Dixie! Your braces are working! You look gorgeous! When you get them off, do NOT forget to wear your retainers at night. I did and lost much of my gains. Don't make my mistake. Great video! So informative! Thanks!
I too had full on metal braces as an adult, I can count the times in one hand I forgot to put my retainers in before sleeping, and I’ve had them off for over two years now! It is a big sacrifice in time, energy, and a huge financial committee for an adult. I didn’t have the luxury of a family who could afford orthodox as a kid, so it meant a lot to me to be able to do this for myself. Best of luck for a beautiful smile.
After almost 10 years of faithfully wearing my retainer, at my last checkup my orthodontist told me, "Oh! You're still wearing that? You don't need to wear it anymore; your teeth should stay fine." He was *wrong*!! Dixie, wear your retainers for the rest of your life! I would have, had I not been told otherwise... Makes me wish I would have skipped that last appointment. 🙄🙄🙄
My small hygiene gear contains a sponge, tp + separate 0,5 liter bottle. That is enough to replace all the wet wipes (which I try to avoid as they are practically waste). I damp the sponge and I use it just as I would use a wet wipe (for armpits, neck, back etc). For private parts I use the water and tp. When there is no water source around to get myself clean this half liter of water gets me comfortable enough to go to sleep.
I didn't know buttcrack chafe was a thing till I nearly thought it was going to kill me one day. Took me too many miles to realize I had a tube of chapstick on me. Ohhhhhhhhmygoodness I don't think I've ever loved chapstick quite so much. It was amazingly helpful.
I just finished the Smokies section of the AT and due to the pandemic folks are not required to sleep in the shelter. Section hikers are still required to tell where they are staying. You must stay around the shelter. I'm plum tickled I could sleep in my tent.
@Eastern fence Lizard I'll try that next time I'm in the Smokies. I really do not want to ever sleep in a shelter. i only saw one ridge runner the 4 days it took me to finish.
I use a bidet. I use about 2 ounces of water per 'job' if things aren't too loose. If things are runny/sticky, pre-wipe before using the bidet to get the majority removed. I use SMOOTH rocks or soft leaves for this. (Know your plants!) You are following up by cleaning anyway, so this reduces water use. Drop your used rocks/leaves in the hole so no one has to encounter them. In dry country (thru-hiking) I carry a few wet-wipes as backup for sections where I need ALL my water for drinking/eating. Note: I setup my bidet and soap bottle (lid off) and grab a couple of rocks before settling down to business. You can practice (without actually pooping) in the shower.
@Just Shane Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used as a mouth rinse (1 part HP to 1 part water) to lessen bacteria and control gingivitis. Also used to clean superficial wounds to prevent infection. And chlorine only bleaches in high concentrations, which *obviously* you wouldn’t want to use on your body. So not sure why you’re going on about “bleaching.” 🙄
In some parts Scandinavia, the huts are "last come, first served". Everyone should have alternative shelter (tent/tarp) and those who arrive early have to give away to those arriving later if there isn't space, with the idea being that those arriving later are probably more tired and have not had so much time in camp to recover and sort their gear.
"Just one person with limited experience". Ha! Like triple crown, 10,000 miles and years trail but "limited". 😉. We'll take your advice over most others any time.
While we're talking about peeing...if you have relieved yourself into a bottle, you can tuck it down in your sleeping bag to help keep you warm through the night. I have had to do this in a near-survival situation before - it doesn't have to be just for the sake of comfort. Just make sure the lid is on tight! My brother and I have also taken to using a beer bong (from the ol' college days) for peeing when sleeping in a roof top tent, but that's a story for another day. Awesome video as usual girl, been doing this for years and I feel like I always learn something new!
I bought an old Nalgene at a garage sale for car camping. It's like the Cadillac of piss bottles - tight lid, nice wide mouth...it's great. I might stick with a powerade bottle for backpacking though due to the weight, not sure yet.
thank you for talking about seam sealing! i live in a dry environment so that kind of thing isn’t something i think about. fortunately my tent is seam sealed, by absolute luck and chance 😂 I always learn something new from these videos
Great vid. I had never heard about right of way on a trail before. Sounds like it follows the right of way with vehicles on a one-lane road. Up hill has the right of way because it is less safe to back up downhill than backing up uphill (you don't rely on your brakes as much going uphill). Thanks for doing this!
Your vids are always chock full of info. Tick borne disease can be serious, overcoming your shyness about a full body visualization could save you a lot of grief. Good job Ms D
Arm and Hammer makes dog poop bags out of corn starch. 15 bags on a roll weigh one ounce. With a back country bidet, put one of those over your hand. Do what you need to with tp, etc. And then tie it up like you do after your dog. A little protective barrier for your "dirty" hand.
I had learned that up hill has the right of way because when hikers are looking at the trail the hiker going downhill has a longer line of site and so will be first to see the other hiker and first to be able to avoid a conflict. Of course the size of your group may change that. And old folks with bad knees like me are happy to step aside and rest going up or down hill.
I had totally forgotten about changing out of wet clothes in shelters on my thru-hike of the 80 a decade ago. There were a lot fewer females on the trail back then. Oftentimes I was the only female in the shelter with a bunch of guys. Without exception, they were all respectful and looked the other way when I asked them to while I changed. Interesting though that not one of them ever asked me to look the other way when they changed. But I was pretty aware and kept my eyes averted anyway.
A sidenote to who has the right of way when hiking, yes people going up have the right of way but if the group of people going down is larger, two or three or more people usually give them the right of way. It is less damaging to the trail for one hiker to move aside than 3 to 4 or more people going off to the side to make room. Great way to hike especially in busy areas such as national parks when there are large groups of people on the trails..
Lots of horses/pack trains where I hike. Etiquette for hiker vs horse is that the hiker moves off trail to the downhill side several feet and stays still until the horses move past.
At the Grand Canyon hikers must move to the uphill side of the trail whether ascending or descending when encountering mules. If a mule stumbles and takes a tumble down the trail or into the canyon it won't take the hiker with it.
At the Canyon, the sign continues to say that when meeting a mule train the hiker should move to the inside of the trail, stop, and follow any instructions from the (mule train) wrangler.
I went for a day hike one Saturday and found a tick on me on Tuesday night. (After it bit me but before it dug in.) Pretty sure it wasn't on me all that time, but shows how you could pick a tick up on gear and transfer it.
22:00 When my daughters ran cross country in high school, the older girls on the team taught them how to do a "cross country change" in which they were able to change their clothes completely in full view (there was often no privacy available on the course) without compromising modesty at all.
About "ticks in your nethers": In 1986 I was backpacking with my friend Tim in rural Honduras. After two nights we had yet several days to go to reach the Mayan ruins of Copan. While stopping for a water break I took off my boots and socks and was horrified to find my foot and legs covered in seed ticks. Tim was in similar shape. We hiked on---what else could we do?---and were fortunate to find some Christian missionaries living in a cabin in a small village. They let us stay with them, and then Tim and I managed to pull the ticks off our bodies. I had 103---yes, one hundred three---and Tim had almost as many. Tim had to pull ticks from my body, and I from his. Not fun.
For bidets- i took parisitology and microbiology: via the nethers: the two issues I can think of are the candiru and urinary tract infection (UTI) causing bacteria. Coliforms like E. coli (causes 85% of UTIs in women) come from feces. So, if a woman accidentally hit the front with pressurized, coliform-containing water, you could, in theory, jet coliform-infested water into the urethra, resulting in UTI. I'd say you'd probably be fine if you urinated right after, but having just pooped, you probably already peed. So, if I was going to use a bidet, I would want the water to be boiled or use a hand to protect the front and maybe finish with a wipe so they don't migrate forward. Easier to just boil or filter.
One way you could change in a crowded shelter is inside your sleeping bag. I've done this many times in crowded 4-6 man tents many times, however there are a few downsides I can think. 1: you'd be getting dirt and possibly bugs inside your sleeping bag. 2: this wouldn't work for women changing shirts and bra's. (I can't think of any other cons, if I do I might add them in later if I remember)
So I am a boyscout heading to philmont next year and they make you youse thare tents should I reup on the sealant bc I don't know when the last time it was sealed
Another note about using filtered water while using a bidet is to prevent UTIs. More important for female anatomy then male but it will help prevent a UTI and trust me that’s NOT something you want on trail!
Another great post . I so look forward to your posts . I think I've seen all your posts in reruns .... I worry a bit about cross contamination in those two lower parts to say it delicate , for ladies using a bidet. But I'm a guy and have never used a bidet . Happy trails and Lord bless you ....
Hello Dixie, greetings from dry perched Northern California. You handled all the questions quite well. The best of good things for you. Stay safe and healthy out there. 🤗
Good job as always. Thanks for sharing the knowledge you have picked up as you have become more experienced and knowledgeable on what works on the trail. Keep up the good work.
As a teenage boy the most intimidating thing was people particularly but not exclusively European men and women who had a different idea of privacy and personal space . Often they would arrive at a hut and change their clothes with out seeking privacy at all, some times while holding a conversation with you , often the hormone levels would just about go right of the scale. Any how the point Im making is the privacy thing is as much about other people as yourself and also different country's have different idea,s about privacy.
"Don't mistake your Pee bottle" reminds me of a scene from "Band of Brothers". Nixon has trouble getting up in the morning, so Winters grabs a jug of "water" to wake him up in a hurry. Turns out it was his pee jug! LOL
Dentures and partials. The Zip-Lock threaded cups are Uber-light and get generic tablets. Winter hiking days are the stankiest but you have to take extra care with hygiene. Years ago, a friend had a large mouth peanut butter screw lid, she used for a pee bucket. Digital cameras are great for video surveys of injury or bug hunts for hard to see regions.
Always a fascinating topic. I've always wondered about bathroom "doo-ties" when hiking in rocky scree and also how one hangs a hammock in treeless/rocky areas. I had been practicing lazy Covid shaving ("I never see anybody") when whoooops! I ended up in the hospital (not Covid!) being told to strip down for a gown in the ER. My hairy legs!! I was so embarrassed as the doctor had to do some tests! Had to convince myself drs. have seen everything so my Bush legs weren't anything. 😊
I decided to try using a hammock when I saw how a person set up their hammock as a bivy. It'd suck to sleep on the ground because when I'm hammock camping I only carry a 1/8" foam pad, but I can do it.
As always a helpful video. I really enjoy watching them, especially now that travelling is quite restricted :) I find it funny and confusing that people seem to care if anybody sees them while changing. On my latest week-end hike I slept by a pond and almost everybody who arrived there after a long day in the burning sun just got butt naked and took a dive. That wasn't the first time things like this happened. And nobody was ever bothered by someone who just changed their clothes. I even hardly know any people who use the changing rooms at public swimming pools or beaches (if there are any). Priorities must be different on the other side of the big pond.
toileting in the night - Shewee or a Peebella. you can get it into a bottle like the fellas and only takes a little bit of practice. I have both, and am finding the peebella a bit easier and less leaky.
Not lightweight but the very best “bidet” I have found is made by Lunatec. Fits a widemouth nalgene. Use it as a shower on kayak overnights and “special areas” on distance hikes.
Uphill has right of way although if it’s 2 groups passing I think it’s a good idea for the smaller group or single hiker to step to the side when passing a larger group. Easier for one to step off than 5 and less trail erosion w only one leaving the track.
I use the GoGirl, and I gotta say that thing has never leaked, and I so appreciate that I don't have to hang my bum out, especially in high mosquito zones! I highly recommend it!
These were good questions and we'll thought out answers. How will people learn if they don't ask as you mentioned most people will answer appropriately and honestly except the know it all and they always give you an answer to a question that no one asked. These people are easy to spot and you quickly learn to stay clear of them.
For me, it's less about mixing up water bottles and more about the idea of "why risk it?" I will never use those water bottle caps as an actual bidet, but I have seen one that had 4 streams of water instead of just 1, and I would actually use that as a showerhead instead, especially if you can rig it to attach to one of those solar shower bags.
I finally have the funds to thruhike the AT. Enough for my gear. Enough for the hike. Enough for bills at home. Enough for bills when I get back. This has been my dream for years and I would like to say I appreciate the content you make. It has helped to put myself into a position to pass the time as i worked over several yeats to make this possible next year. Finally. Thanks again.
I hope you carry you're own shelter so you don't evict fellow humans (Section hikers) 😂😂
Congrats man ! Go and make that dream a reality
Good on you. It's a wonderful experience and I am sure you will enjoy the experience.
Congrats! I'm happy and excited with you. Enjoy the journey
Keep us updated
For cleaning up after a privy stop, after the toilet paper, try using 1/2 paper towel dampened with dilute alcohol (squeeze out the excess). The paper towel material is perfect and won't disintegrate like toilet paper. Wipe, fold, wipe, fold, etc. I can't recommend this enough, and use it all the time, and it works great. You can adjust the ratio of alcohol/water to your comfort level. This permanently eliminates the problem of carrying around undesirable nastiness all day.
It seems to me that, for sanitary body wipes, a hiker could use the following:
Buy a yard (or so) of cloth (whatever texture and color you want) from Walmart and cut it into three foot by six in strips. Fold each strip into six inch by six inch squares and stack them all on top of one another. Next, prepare a (zippered) Ziplock freezer bag with a solution of 50% alcohol and 50% water, say about a cup or so total, just enough to wet the pile of folded cloths. Then stuff the pile of cloths into the Ziplock bag and close it. Just one of these strips is the equivalent of a shower, the three foot length allowing you to clean your back. I used this when cross country trucking, and it gave the equivalent feeling of a shower, which lasted for long enough to get a good night's sleep. Using it again in the morning allows several days of operation without a real bath. Also, they are reusable, so after the trip just wash them. If you carry alcohol fuel, these can be prepared in the field.
In 2018 during my hike, I met a guy named Grizzly. I wound up hiking past him. Later that day I arrived at a 6 person shelter with only 4 people in it. I went to put my pack down when one of them says "Oh that spot is taken, he is just at the privy". I was having a bad day as the frame in my pack was bent in and digging into my hips. I walked uphill to a tent spot set up and went to sleep. The next morning after packing up, I went back down to the shelter to use the privy when I see Grizzly there getting out of the shelter. I asked him how he slept in the shelter since he came after me. He replied that he has met the other 4 people before and they pull this crap saying the shelter is full when it is not so they can have it to themselves. With that said, my rule is, if there is no pad down the spot is free.
Oh, what happened to the good old days of hiker etiquette that said there's always room for one more? A group, no - but then again, groups aren't supposed to stay in shelters anyway. A lone hiker doesn't take up that much room - punting someone out to a tent site unnecessarily is just rude. Sorry for your experience -
I've seen Jackasses setup tents inside shelters for the same reason.
Wow jacked up… ugh people
I believe attitude is important. unfortunately there are those who have an excess of entitlement and a lack of manners...which hass caused many trail angels to quit helping. in this situation i sense those who had a little of both. i am preparing mentally to deal with the challenges like these with style and grace. life is too short to have a bad attitude on trail.
@@AmericanDrainWorks That experience was the only bad one on the trail. What I left out from that story was that for the three days before that, I was dealing with a broken pack that was digging into my back and hips and all I wanted to do was go to bed so I could get to the NOC the next day to replace it. That did have a negative impact on my mood that day. After that I never had an issue like that again. In fact the bubble I was hiking with joined together to fight those entitled Karens
Hiker etiquette, who has the right of way- another reason for the downhill hiker yielding: the downhill hiker has a full view of the trail and will generally see the hikers coming uphill. An uphill hiker usually only sees the ground in front of them. ❤️
Do whatever is necessary to check for ticks. I haven’t been able to hike (or work, or drive) for 12 years due to severe chronic fatigue and dizziness related to Lyme+. It’s nothing to take lightly.
I'm sorry that you got that crap, my niece got that. I never got it but it was common to get ticks on us during hunting and fishing days. We didn't know about Lyme disease but we did wear a strange concoction on our clothes. It was a mix of oil of citronella, kerosine and alcohol.
Definitely. Remember, it takes a few hours for the bacteria in ticks to get into its saliva so the sooner you check and remove, the more likely you will be safe. Do what it takes and don't wait.
@@fyisense9312 sounds like a Russian drink.
3 years in to my lyme disease battle and yes it has completely changed my life and debilitated me and my nerves. Please do tick checks often
@@fyisense9312 While it is pretty safe I wouldn't really recommend contacting kerosene all the time, but it looks like it's working for you
Always had a rain poncho with me that served well as a changing station. Could stand anywhere and totally change clothes without scaring people. Also did laundry wearing nothing but shoes and my poncho, no one was the wiser to my schemes
Brilliant!
I have known a lot of women that could change under a loose dress.
“… no one was the wiser”? That’s what you think! 😄
A poncho is my rain gear. I hammock camp and don't have the privacy of a tent. Wrap my pack in it at night to keep it dry, use it under my hammock to step on, use it to change my clothes under, have used it to do number 2 under when there are a lot of people around, keeps my pack and straps dry when hiking in the rain. Most people don't think about how much water the straps soak up in the rain. You don't sweat near as much as you do in a rain suit. Don't have to take your pack off when it starts raining. Can be used as a quick shelter in a sudden rainstorm or if you need shade. Probably one of the most versatile pieces of gear you can carry.
Now i think of a sexoncho 😂😂😂
Use your cell camera to check for ticks in those hard see spots. Can even magnify them.
The best portable bidet I've used is made by Pika Outdoors. It's called the Backwoods Bidet. It screws onto a standard SmartWater bottle, so no messing with O-rings, and is the liggtest weight one.
Bidets: I use a Bidet on trail. One tip that really helps is to "pre wet" the area with the bidet BEFORE going #2. The clean up is much better and faster. You actually use very little water (maybe 1 to 2 oz) and I have used Smart water bottles and Fiji water bottles with no issues. I have used both the Culo Clean and the Holy Hiker bidets and both work well. In fact, I carry both because 2 is 1 and 1 is none and they are very light. The area dries quickly. Most times I don't dry but carry a bandana in my Sh Kit to wipe dry if I feel the need. I do use filtered water and just take my water bottle and insert the bidet. After using, I sanitize my hands and then take out the bidet and put the cap back on. Practice up at home on the toilet. Put the seat up and squat and go and then clean up using the bidet. Believe me, if you practice at home, you will have no issues on trail. I have used the bidet going in a cat hole and also inside a privy. No issues.
Peeing in your tent: I use a collapsible 48 oz. Nalgene bottle. (yes that's a lot but I don't want to have it fill up!). Never had an issue but maybe replace it every two years. When I get to town or home, I rinse it out with soapy water and then spray disinfectant into it (if home). John from MI
You wipe with a banana????!!!! 😮 The visual!!!! 🙈 Then what do you do with the banana?? 😂
@@suzannehedderly1331 Well that was quite the typo!!! Thanks for catching that. The banana turned out to be quite slippery so I switched to a bandana. LOL
@@littlethislittlethat456 😂😂😂🍌
@NPC 1337 I was commenting on the typo of "wiping with a banana." The typo was corrected. :-)
TICKS! Magnification is sometimes required. I've removed ticks so tiny that I could not see them without strong magnification, they were almost completely dug in because their mouth was so small. A magnifier can also be used to start a fire when it is sunny. I always give my legs a quick check while walking whenever I push through brush or tall grass. Best to find them instantly before they crawl around.
FUD (Female Urinary Device), a wide mouth plastic jar like peanut butter works great for women to pee in without a FUD. The women pilots back in the day used Mason jars. The easiest FUD to use is a oil funnel., a little bulky though. Thank you for another great video, safe travels.
Lots of good advice here. On shaving - I don't like having a beard and carried a simple Bic disposable razor (the yellow ones) on my thruhikes. It weighs next to nothing, don't clog up as easy as more advanced razors and each lasted a couple of weeks. Don't dry shave, but shaved in towns and on trail when necessary and/or convenient. On trail I'd just wet my towel and hold it up to my face for a minute. That's enough to get the skin moist enough for a reasonably pain free shave. No soap required.
Hi Dixie. Love your videos. Here's a technique I learned long ago to have a hot "bath" in a busy New Zealand hiking hut, when it's freezing outside. I heat water to the desired temperature and half fill a large basin or a pot big enough to stand in. I take off my top and put on a long raincoat inside-out without putting my arms in the sleeves and I zip the raincoat closed from the inside. Then I take off the rest of my clothing except for the long raincoat. I step into the basin and get wet, lather up with soap and then rinse off. Next, I take my hiking towel and dry myself off under the raincoat. Then I put on my clean trousers, take off the raincoat and put on a clean top. First time I did this, I got a round of applause from the other hikers. It feels truly great going to sleep after a hot "bath" in a hut.
I would never want to bring any pot large enough for my sizeable feet on a solo hike, but that IS impressive!
@@Nynke_K I know the Z-Packs food bags hold water, but I don’t know if they are big enough to stand in. I might try it to see, then it can double as a shower basin.
@@Nynke_K In New Zealand, there are often large cooking pots and basins left in the hiking huts. I'm embarrassed to admit it but once on a long hike I carried an inflatable basin - and it was great. It's a ridiculous luxury, I know, but it's awesome to soak your feet in a hot "bath" at the end of a long day's hiking.
Dixie you really bright en my day hearing. Your hey y all open ing.
I’ve always found that until your tent endures a decent rain, and the fabrics get a chance to absorb & stretch.. you are at risk for leaks. I’d set up your tent at home first & spray it down with a hose & let it dry. Then spray it again and see if it’s leaking anywhere. Then hit that with a sealant
Here's a video subject I'd be interested in: common trail maladies and how to avoid/identify/treat them, such as chaffing, trench foot, tendinitis, blisters, Lyme’s disease, Hantavirus, Giardia, stress fractures, sprains, sore muscles, dehydration, hypothermia, poison ivy/sumac/oak, stinging nettles, yadda yadda yadda. ... Oh, and bears. Definitely how to treat bear injuries. This keeps me up at night.
Not all are included in this, but most of the common ones :)
ua-cam.com/video/Nia1ZY1DdUE/v-deo.html
I’m almost 70 with all of the wrinkles, sags and bags that come with age. I wish someone sneaking a peek WAS still a problem. 🤣🤣🤣
Amen sister.
I hate to laugh, but you have a real gift with words!
I always say "they'll only look once..." ;-)
I use my "old lady bod" as a weapon while camping. People were walking though my campsite in Joshua Tree and I yanked off my top with a bra on. Oh boy! they stayed away! Ha ha ha..Hey kids? this is your future; wrinkles, saggy skin, bumps and lumps! heh hee
Also as you age you attain a "give a shit" attitude.
There are more important things to worry about than whether someone sees you while you're changing clothes or bathing. I've found that baby wipes are essential. Cold water bathing technique: run in get wet, get out and soap up, run back in and rinse off, get back out, towel off and get into the sun.
I"m impressed! I just discovered this channel and find your commentary valuable, well expressed, without being preachy. Thanks, I'll be visiting again soon.
Dentures: We RV a ton and do car travel and for my Moms dentures we just take a small ziplock bowl with a twist lid. You want the twist lid so that the bowl does not leak. This works very well for travel because it is small AND if for any reason it needs to be replaced you can purchase them at any grocery store or wal-mart. There are "travel denture cups" but we found that they do leak. Have fun!
i use my phone in selfie mode (instead of a mirror) to check for ticks. If I can't see clearly, just take a picture, then you can zoom in and see better. Gotta save weight somehow 😁
Great tip! Will be using
Just be sure to delete after checking - wouldn't want those photos accidentally shared to your blog post...
I got stung by a bunch of bees in the Smokies, and used my phone the same way. I checked to make sure I had the stinger out of my back, and to see how many times I got tagged.
@@HikingPhalkawn wouldn’t want those “tick pics” leaked on accident 🤣
@@HikingPhalkawn 🤣
I've got a little experience hiking....been doing it for 30 years....and I have asked a 1000 questions to people who've generously helped me.....it has saved me TONS of headache. The golden rule applies all aspects of life. Love the video Dixie....great work as always.
Regarding the bidet - I just carry a bottle with a sport top and use it to squirt water on my unmentionables at the end of the day. Really helps wash off sweat and salt and, you know, other stuff.
Hard-core bidet: hand and water. Clean hand with sanitizer. No mess, no stress!
Thanks for sharing all these tips - they (and you) are a great inspiration to my wife and daughter. Regarding bidet vs. paper, let me suggest a combination - which my late mom taught us. Being from/born/raised in SE Asia, washing as opposed to wiping with paper, is quite common. Anyhow, mom's technique was to wipe with some paper the 'excess', then wash (bidet). This makes it less, well, gooey unless you've managed to pack a lot of fiber in your diet... Pat dry with a bit more paper (any of which shall be treated responsibly and thoughtfully!) afterwards. Then wash hands with soap. I'm still trying to convince my ladies about shee-wee and the like, but oh well, one challenge at a time. Thanks for your entertaining and empowering videos. Blessings from Downunder.
As a trail runner, I keep a Frog Togs poncho in my car so I can change out of my wet running clothes before I drive home. I just put it on top of me and change under it (because it's huge). You could do the same on a hike.
Dixie, I'll make a comment about the seam sealing. Might think about it on your rain gear once in awhile too. I recently pulled out an REI rain jacket that I've had for about 40 years and wore it out when we had a very heavy pour down here and found the hood leaking like a sieve!! Used some seam sealer on it and it's like new!! Glad it worked as I've loved that jacket for a long time especially because it's actually hip length which I've not found in a rain jacket since!! Also, because the hood is deep enough to cover any cap brim!
A gallon zip lock bag is SO much easier than a she-wee for me. Just kneel and hold the bag front and back, it gives a lot of space for error. I've been too sleepy to notice how much I had to pee and ..... Backfilled a she-wee before, lots of mess.
A gallon bag in my tent has made my camping nights much better, lol. Just seal it up tight!
Great video! People need to know the difference between 'glamping' and wild camping. Much love, from the UK.
Just an update, Great Smokey Mountain National Park quit requiring people sleep in the shelters in 2020 with the pandemic. Just hiked that section and tent camped every night outside the shelters.
Dude that south VA accent is great. Even if you didn't know anything about hiking I would still listen to you. I always get the impression that anyone who has that accent I expect them to know everything outdoors lol
In Finland that shelter question is quite easy. First in will be first out and that’s it.
These video's are so valuable, thanks for making them! It really helps when you can just talk about the "embarrassing" things because those are exactly the issues people always deal with, because they don't want to ask. :)
Yep, I used the Frechette for ladies from REI on my car camping trip. Saved my life in the desert. But, I needed a roll of paper towels for drying off myself and the Frechette after use before I popped it into its ziplock bag. It's a tradeoff. The only problem was that the pipe part was not long enough and I kept peeing on my shoes until I figured how to use it, which made me irate! Hot desert, stinky shoes, no! Size matters! LOL!
Wow, thanks! I haven’t used mine yet, now I know to be careful of that! 😂👍
Very happy to hear the others, checking themselves for ticks the way I did ... the front part isn't bad ... back half can be problematic - headlamp being shone on the rear business area, feet in the air, lamp/phone being used in ways I never thought I would. All great info in the video though - thanks!
Oh and I also want to thank you for the "judgement free zone" feeling. I had a person tell me I dont derserve to hike the AT because I couldnt afford better gear. how rude!
I would enjoy telling that person, all my gear is handmade (by me, on the cheap), custom, and way more exclusive.
In reality, most of the gear is overpriced, and as long as you have the items you need to be safe, who cares?
Gear snobs are not genuinely authentic hikers. They are fashionistas... 🤦🏻♀️
I go for safety and durability over prices and fashionable items. ❤️
That is absolutely ridiculous! I’m sorry you had to hear that. I’ve always (like since I was a little kid) loved camping but my parents (I’m an only child) weren’t into camping at all- their idea of “roughing it” was staying at a 3-4 star chain hotel, if you know what I mean. So I didn’t get to “camp” much, I didn’t ever really “hike” a whole lot- and then I hit my 20’s and that’s when I kept a small backpacking tent in my car at all times (for various reasons- I wasn’t an angel in my 20’s & sometimes I wouldn’t be “welcome” home under certain circumstances lol- luckily I’ve cleaned up my act & learned a lot of lessons!)- I started watching all kinds of videos this year bc I want to “upgrade” my gear- and by “upgrade” I mean- I want to buy myself a new sleeping bag & a new tent lol- then I came across the idea of hiking- and I would literally never be able to afford all of the “name brand” gear, if I wanted to get out and enjoy nature within the next 2 years! Oh, one of those lessons I learned? Humility. Apparently the people you came across missed that lesson. I’m grateful for what I have & I’ll buy what I can afford- use that stuff and if it fails me, I’ll just keep saving $ and repairing until I can afford a better QUALITY setup. Whatever happened to just enjoying nature? I agree with the other person that commented saying “they aren’t true hikers”- if you just want to collect name brand gear, go ahead- but don’t shame people that don’t have it. My store-brand “2-3 person backpacking tent” is over 15 years old & still hasn’t leaked once! Only reason I want to “upgrade” is bc I’d like either a lighter weight tent, or a car camping tent with more room, so I could just pitch it in the back yard if I need to and have my own portable “she shed”.. smh, some people..
@@GypsyGirl317 well put. I do like my pricey gear, but started with dollarama and bargain stuff. My current hammock is from wish lol. Although I would like to get a draumer XL eventually. Starting from the bottom makes you appreciate the really good stuff later and some of the bottom dollar stuff is as good as the stuff that cost 20x more. I particularly like dollar store dry bags. If I get a season out of a $3 dry bag I'm happy. But if my $45 sea to summit bag rips in its 2nd year it hurts my soul.
Yeah, that's garbage. I could probably afford higher-end gear but I'm not interested in spending that much. Plus, some of my cheapest gear is also some of my best (BRS stove, anyone?)
Dixie, my family has been with you since the beginning of the AT. Love your channel. We binge watched your AT series over the weekend. You were gorgeous back then and you are stunningly beautiful now. Your love of life radiates.
Dixie! Your braces are working! You look gorgeous! When you get them off, do NOT forget to wear your retainers at night. I did and lost much of my gains. Don't make my mistake. Great video! So informative! Thanks!
Thank you! It’s been a long time coming.
I too had full on metal braces as an adult, I can count the times in one hand I forgot to put my retainers in before sleeping, and I’ve had them off for over two years now! It is a big sacrifice in time, energy, and a huge financial committee for an adult. I didn’t have the luxury of a family who could afford orthodox as a kid, so it meant a lot to me to be able to do this for myself. Best of luck for a beautiful smile.
I agree. I am 25 with my braces on for the second time and it's not worth it to not wear your retainer.
After almost 10 years of faithfully wearing my retainer, at my last checkup my orthodontist told me, "Oh! You're still wearing that? You don't need to wear it anymore; your teeth should stay fine."
He was *wrong*!!
Dixie, wear your retainers for the rest of your life!
I would have, had I not been told otherwise...
Makes me wish I would have skipped that last appointment. 🙄🙄🙄
My small hygiene gear contains a sponge, tp + separate 0,5 liter bottle. That is enough to replace all the wet wipes (which I try to avoid as they are practically waste). I damp the sponge and I use it just as I would use a wet wipe (for armpits, neck, back etc). For private parts I use the water and tp. When there is no water source around to get myself clean this half liter of water gets me comfortable enough to go to sleep.
Love your lack of filter on topics. Very refreshing and incidentally, useful 😁
I didn't know buttcrack chafe was a thing till I nearly thought it was going to kill me one day. Took me too many miles to realize I had a tube of chapstick on me. Ohhhhhhhhmygoodness I don't think I've ever loved chapstick quite so much. It was amazingly helpful.
I just finished the Smokies section of the AT and due to the pandemic folks are not required to sleep in the shelter. Section hikers are still required to tell where they are staying. You must stay around the shelter. I'm plum tickled I could sleep in my tent.
@Eastern fence Lizard I'll try that next time I'm in the Smokies. I really do not want to ever sleep in a shelter. i only saw one ridge runner the 4 days it took me to finish.
@Eastern fence Lizard I completely agree about not wanting to sleep around strangers or deal with the mice.
I use a bidet. I use about 2 ounces of water per 'job' if things aren't too loose. If things are runny/sticky, pre-wipe before using the bidet to get the majority removed. I use SMOOTH rocks or soft leaves for this. (Know your plants!) You are following up by cleaning anyway, so this reduces water use. Drop your used rocks/leaves in the hole so no one has to encounter them. In dry country (thru-hiking) I carry a few wet-wipes as backup for sections where I need ALL my water for drinking/eating. Note: I setup my bidet and soap bottle (lid off) and grab a couple of rocks before settling down to business. You can practice (without actually pooping) in the shower.
As a kid, living in the countryside, i used to use leaves when going to the "toilet"
I use filtered water with bidets because of two things: parasites and if you do have a wound or chafe then it can be a source of infection.
Just ad a little chlorine or hydroperoxide...cheap and very safe!
@Just Shane Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used as a mouth rinse (1 part HP to 1 part water) to lessen bacteria and control gingivitis. Also used to clean superficial wounds to prevent infection. And chlorine only bleaches in high concentrations, which *obviously* you wouldn’t want to use on your body. So not sure why you’re going on about “bleaching.” 🙄
@Just Shane it's about the same amount of chlorine as a pool, even less probably
@Just Shane As soon as you say something that’s actually funny, then we’ll all laugh. Meanwhile, keep your day job. 😉
@@gertvanpeet3120 Hydrogen peroxide is actually really bad for wounds it kills off healthy tissue and cells
In some parts Scandinavia, the huts are "last come, first served". Everyone should have alternative shelter (tent/tarp) and those who arrive early have to give away to those arriving later if there isn't space, with the idea being that those arriving later are probably more tired and have not had so much time in camp to recover and sort their gear.
Kudos to you for mentioning the unmentionables!
12:49 = "Dirty stinky hiker" = herd of sheep running away = LOL!
"Just one person with limited experience". Ha! Like triple crown, 10,000 miles and years trail but "limited". 😉. We'll take your advice over most others any time.
Good coverage. Thank you Dixie
Some delicate subjects for new hikers. You handled the questions well while respecting decency.
While we're talking about peeing...if you have relieved yourself into a bottle, you can tuck it down in your sleeping bag to help keep you warm through the night. I have had to do this in a near-survival situation before - it doesn't have to be just for the sake of comfort. Just make sure the lid is on tight! My brother and I have also taken to using a beer bong (from the ol' college days) for peeing when sleeping in a roof top tent, but that's a story for another day. Awesome video as usual girl, been doing this for years and I feel like I always learn something new!
I shit in a zip lock back- works the same. Just as good! Until it busted open.
I bought an old Nalgene at a garage sale for car camping. It's like the Cadillac of piss bottles - tight lid, nice wide mouth...it's great. I might stick with a powerade bottle for backpacking though due to the weight, not sure yet.
thank you for talking about seam sealing! i live in a dry environment so that kind of thing isn’t something i think about. fortunately my tent is seam sealed, by absolute luck and chance 😂 I always learn something new from these videos
Great vid. I had never heard about right of way on a trail before. Sounds like it follows the right of way with vehicles on a one-lane road. Up hill has the right of way because it is less safe to back up downhill than backing up uphill (you don't rely on your brakes as much going uphill). Thanks for doing this!
I really love the time stamps Dixie! Super handy to skip the content I know the answer too.
Your vids are always chock full of info. Tick borne disease can be serious, overcoming your shyness about a full body visualization could save you a lot of grief. Good job Ms D
Maybe mentioned, for checking for ticks, I've heard said that use a lint roller, pass/roll it over those hidden spots you can see..
I used to hike, camp, bike, and backpack alot when I was younger. We never once put our deet into a bear bag....
Lol, Dixie and her "limited experience" 😂
Arm and Hammer makes dog poop bags out of corn starch. 15 bags on a roll weigh one ounce. With a back country bidet, put one of those over your hand. Do what you need to with tp, etc. And then tie it up like you do after your dog. A little protective barrier for your "dirty" hand.
I had learned that up hill has the right of way because when hikers are looking at the trail the hiker going downhill has a longer line of site and so will be first to see the other hiker and first to be able to avoid a conflict. Of course the size of your group may change that. And old folks with bad knees like me are happy to step aside and rest going up or down hill.
I always let people go first if they’re hiking uphill. Because like Dixie said, they’re carrying the weight and have that momentum.
should i just let everyone have the choice to pass? i feel like with all the controversy that's the best call.
@@alexis4637It's 59/50 so you can't go wrong either way.
I had totally forgotten about changing out of wet clothes in shelters on my thru-hike of the 80 a decade ago. There were a lot fewer females on the trail back then. Oftentimes I was the only female in the shelter with a bunch of guys. Without exception, they were all respectful and looked the other way when I asked them to while I changed. Interesting though that not one of them ever asked me to look the other way when they changed. But I was pretty aware and kept my eyes averted anyway.
Dixie, I used to bidet on the Appalachian trail
There are two kinds of people people who use bidets in people who walk around with poopy butts
A sidenote to who has the right of way when hiking, yes people going up have the right of way but if the group of people going down is larger, two or three or more people usually give them the right of way. It is less damaging to the trail for one hiker to move aside than 3 to 4 or more people going off to the side to make room. Great way to hike especially in busy areas such as national parks when there are large groups of people on the trails..
Can’t they walk in each other’s path though? I just move but I think groups just assume they don’t need to.
Lots of horses/pack trains where I hike. Etiquette for hiker vs horse is that the hiker moves off trail to the downhill side several feet and stays still until the horses move past.
At the Grand Canyon on the major trails inside the canyon, signs state that mules have the right of way.
At the Grand Canyon hikers must move to the uphill side of the trail whether ascending or descending when encountering mules. If a mule stumbles and takes a tumble down the trail or into the canyon it won't take the hiker with it.
That makes sense in the canyon. In the Frank Church, we move downhill because the stock can see you without craning their necks and losing the trail.
And please say hello! Sometimes they need to hear you to know you’re a person!
At the Canyon, the sign continues to say that when meeting a mule train the hiker should move to the inside of the trail, stop, and follow any instructions from the (mule train) wrangler.
I went for a day hike one Saturday and found a tick on me on Tuesday night. (After it bit me but before it dug in.) Pretty sure it wasn't on me all that time, but shows how you could pick a tick up on gear and transfer it.
I once found one in my car two days after a hike, I guess it had been hanging out in the car since the hike.
22:00 When my daughters ran cross country in high school, the older girls on the team taught them how to do a "cross country change" in which they were able to change their clothes completely in full view (there was often no privacy available on the course) without compromising modesty at all.
glad to hear someone address the issues of partials or dentures, i think this is a major question that a lot of people don’t know how to ask.
About "ticks in your nethers": In 1986 I was backpacking with my friend Tim in rural Honduras. After two nights we had yet several days to go to reach the Mayan ruins of Copan. While stopping for a water break I took off my boots and socks and was horrified to find my foot and legs covered in seed ticks. Tim was in similar shape. We hiked on---what else could we do?---and were fortunate to find some Christian missionaries living in a cabin in a small village. They let us stay with them, and then Tim and I managed to pull the ticks off our bodies. I had 103---yes, one hundred three---and Tim had almost as many. Tim had to pull ticks from my body, and I from his. Not fun.
@S M So true! But so embarrassing!
@S M Both. Tim and I had a good laugh about this for years!
For bidets- i took parisitology and microbiology: via the nethers: the two issues I can think of are the candiru and urinary tract infection (UTI) causing bacteria. Coliforms like E. coli (causes 85% of UTIs in women) come from feces. So, if a woman accidentally hit the front with pressurized, coliform-containing water, you could, in theory, jet coliform-infested water into the urethra, resulting in UTI.
I'd say you'd probably be fine if you urinated right after, but having just pooped, you probably already peed. So, if I was going to use a bidet, I would want the water to be boiled or use a hand to protect the front and maybe finish with a wipe so they don't migrate forward. Easier to just boil or filter.
I loved my bidet. I’d put a drop of Bronners soap in the bottle. Worked perfectly. Just used a sheet to dry.
One way you could change in a crowded shelter is inside your sleeping bag. I've done this many times in crowded 4-6 man tents many times, however there are a few downsides I can think.
1: you'd be getting dirt and possibly bugs inside your sleeping bag.
2: this wouldn't work for women changing shirts and bra's.
(I can't think of any other cons, if I do I might add them in later if I remember)
So I am a boyscout heading to philmont next year and they make you youse thare tents should I reup on the sealant bc I don't know when the last time it was sealed
Thanks for sharing your perspective about these topics, really appreciate your insight!
I have used Culo Clean at home now for this last C19 year and LOVE IT!!!
So informative, thanks for sharing. These delicate subjects need to be discussed…
Another note about using filtered water while using a bidet is to prevent UTIs. More important for female anatomy then male but it will help prevent a UTI and trust me that’s NOT something you want on trail!
Another great post . I so look forward to your posts . I think I've seen all your posts in reruns .... I worry a bit about cross contamination in those two lower parts to say it delicate , for ladies using a bidet. But I'm a guy and have never used a bidet . Happy trails and Lord bless you ....
Hello Dixie, greetings from dry perched Northern California. You handled all the questions quite well.
The best of good things for you. Stay safe and healthy out there.
🤗
Haha! .Culo is Spanish slang for “asshole”
I’ve never met anyone who has used a bidet while backpacking. This is new to me
i used a bidet before anything else
I'm a recent convert. It feels so much cleaner.
I just got a "Reign Chill" bottle which is a water bottle/splasher, and it would 120% work as a bidet.
Good job as always. Thanks for sharing the knowledge you have picked up as you have become more experienced and knowledgeable on what works on the trail. Keep up the good work.
Love your videos!! I learn so much and it’s so fun watching you!! Thanks for all you do
As a teenage boy the most intimidating thing was people particularly but not exclusively European men and women who had a different idea of privacy and personal space . Often they would arrive at a hut and change their clothes with out seeking privacy at all, some times while holding a conversation with you , often the hormone levels would just about go right of the scale.
Any how the point Im making is the privacy thing is as much about other people as yourself and also different country's have different idea,s about privacy.
Although products that are "unscented" to us are not necessarily unscented to bears...
Exactly. I always make sure the bear is referenced in the products I buy that make such claims.
"Don't mistake your Pee bottle" reminds me of a scene from "Band of Brothers". Nixon has trouble getting up in the morning, so Winters grabs a jug of "water" to wake him up in a hurry. Turns out it was his pee jug! LOL
I really appreciate your warts and all approach in your videos. I'm sectioning the Bibbulmun Track and I've picked up some awesome tips. Thank you
Dentures and partials. The Zip-Lock threaded cups are Uber-light and get generic tablets. Winter hiking days are the stankiest but you have to take extra care with hygiene. Years ago, a friend had a large mouth peanut butter screw lid, she used for a pee bucket. Digital cameras are great for video surveys of injury or bug hunts for hard to see regions.
Always a fascinating topic. I've always wondered about bathroom "doo-ties" when hiking in rocky scree and also how one hangs a hammock in treeless/rocky areas.
I had been practicing lazy Covid shaving ("I never see anybody") when whoooops! I ended up in the hospital (not Covid!) being told to strip down for a gown in the ER. My hairy legs!! I was so embarrassed as the doctor had to do some tests! Had to convince myself drs. have seen everything so my Bush legs weren't anything. 😊
I decided to try using a hammock when I saw how a person set up their hammock as a bivy. It'd suck to sleep on the ground because when I'm hammock camping I only carry a 1/8" foam pad, but I can do it.
As long as you wear pretty, sexy, or funny panties, nobody will notice your legs! LOL!
i feel like saying "don't look" before you don't want people to look instead of during, is always sound advice in any situation.
🤣🤣 facts!
4:53. Awesome pun work!
Dixie provides top videos and has been responsible for my preparation of my thru hike...as well as Jeremy Springer...
Great video! I always enjoy these, thanks!!! Happy day!!
As always a helpful video. I really enjoy watching them, especially now that travelling is quite restricted :) I find it funny and confusing that people seem to care if anybody sees them while changing. On my latest week-end hike I slept by a pond and almost everybody who arrived there after a long day in the burning sun just got butt naked and took a dive. That wasn't the first time things like this happened. And nobody was ever bothered by someone who just changed their clothes. I even hardly know any people who use the changing rooms at public swimming pools or beaches (if there are any). Priorities must be different on the other side of the big pond.
It is indeed different in the US. In Europe this wouldn't be a big topic, as you describe.
toileting in the night - Shewee or a Peebella. you can get it into a bottle like the fellas and only takes a little bit of practice. I have both, and am finding the peebella a bit easier and less leaky.
Not lightweight but the very best “bidet” I have found is made by Lunatec. Fits a widemouth nalgene. Use it as a shower on kayak overnights and “special areas” on distance hikes.
Uphill has right of way although if it’s 2 groups passing I think it’s a good idea for the smaller group or single hiker to step to the side when passing a larger group. Easier for one to step off than 5 and less trail erosion w only one leaving the track.
Ah, good point!
I love the she wee, never looked back…it’s great to be like a guy while hiking with a big load!
I use the GoGirl, and I gotta say that thing has never leaked, and I so appreciate that I don't have to hang my bum out, especially in high mosquito zones! I highly recommend it!
These were good questions and we'll thought out answers. How will people learn if they don't ask as you mentioned most people will answer appropriately and honestly except the know it all and they always give you an answer to a question that no one asked. These people are easy to spot and you quickly learn to stay clear of them.
For me, it's less about mixing up water bottles and more about the idea of "why risk it?" I will never use those water bottle caps as an actual bidet, but I have seen one that had 4 streams of water instead of just 1, and I would actually use that as a showerhead instead, especially if you can rig it to attach to one of those solar shower bags.
Very informative thanks. ✌️👊
Very help, gonna try the bidet😬