Equipment
Personal Hygiene
This page covers the basics of personal hygiene when camping and backpacking in canyon country.
Camping is often just a scaled down version of living at home, so bring what you need, but don't get excessive. Bring along only those items that you might really need while you are out in isolated areas. Some of these items might be tampons or sanitary napkins, any special lotions or ointments, or other special items that might help you to enjoy the outdoors. Again ... planning ahead is the key here as with most items on this page.
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Toilet Paper and Trowel
These are good items to have along whether you are out for a day hike or on a longer backpacking trip, where they are a necessity. It's not unusual for rest rooms at trailheads and within parks to be short on this commodity, especially during prime tourist season and out in the more remote areas. And out in the backcountry, if you run out of toilet paper you may find yourself using leaves or grass ... a less than optimal experience. Take enough to get you through the entire hike, plus a little extra ... just in case. The trowel is for digging your "cat hole" to bury your waste, unless you are require to remove all waste. See also Trash and Human Waste.
Wash Cloth and Towel
If you're going to be washing up on the trail you may want to take along a small, lightweight face cloth, hand towel, and/or a bath towel. The standard home-style towels work okay, if weight and space are not major considerations, but, if they are, there are lightweight towels available at your local camping goods store. They are generally rugged, durable, and dry quickly, especially in the arid canyon country air.
Comb or Brush
If you want to look good for the mountain lions and coyotes out on the trail, or if you want to make sure that cute park ranger takes notice when he checks your backcountry permit, you might consider taking along a small comb or hair brush. Hair ties can also be handy for those with longer hair. Sometimes pulling long hair back into a pony tail helps keep the back of your neck cool.
Lotions
There are a wide variety of commercial sun screens, tanning oils, and skin lotions on the market. Find a sun screen that works well for you and avoid the tanning oils. The sun in canyon country can be relentless and a good coating of sun screen can go a long way toward protecting your skin from its harmful rays, although, there is no liquid sun screen that will protect you completely.
If you are especially susceptible to the negative effects of the sun, you should wear a hat, a long-sleeved cotton shirt, and long pants to protect yourself. Apply sun screen to all other exposed areas and stay in the shade as much as possible. If your skin dries out during a long hike, apply a generous amount of skin cream or lotion to the dry areas. But avoid scented lotions and sun screens. The perfume tends to attract mosquitoes and other insect pests.
Razor and Blades
For men who like to shave every day, even on a backpack trip into the middle of nowhere, a razor is the only way to go. Women who wear shorts and prefer to keep their legs shaven over the course of a long backpack trip will want to take along a razor as well. The self-contained disposable type is your best bet. Just remember ... if you pack it in, you must also pack it out.
Soap, Shampoo, and Conditioner
On backpacking trips you'll want to wash your hands before preparing meals and after digging that cat hole for human waste. A small bar of hand soap, like those you collect in motel rooms, or a small bottle of liquid biodegradable body soap, like Purel, work well.
If you are going to be out for a number of days, and if extra water is available, you may want to wash your hair. There are several biodegradable shampoos available in small pack-sized plastic containers. If your favorite comes in a glass bottle, transfer it to a plastic container to avoid breakage in the backcountry. A busted bottle of shampoo or liquid soap could make quite a mess in your pack.
You may also want to bring along a few cotton tipped swabs for cleaning ears and for any other use that needs a clean applicator.
Tooth Brush, Tooth Paste, and Floss
There are a variety of compact collapsible toothbrushes available at most sporting goods stores. Or, if you're attached to your regular toothbrush, there are cases available that hold most models.
A sample size tube of toothpaste is the best bet for a compact tube, and a small container of dental floss can also come in handy, not only for cleaning your teeth, but as an emergency source of tough string.
Rest Room and Shower Facilities
Most campgrounds, especially those within our national parks and monuments, have public rest rooms and gray water dump stations. Many have running water, some have electricity, several have modern composting facilities, while others have old-fashioned pit toilets. In all cases, follow any posted instructions concerning use of the facility, especially when it comes to dish washing and bathing. Be considerate of others. Don't waste supplies, don't hog the sinks and mirrors, follow normal hygiene practices, and, if you make a mess, clean up after yourself.
Books and Resources
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