How to be less gross outdoors

The Sea to Summit guide to personal hygiene when camping and hiking

When we first enter the world of hiking and camping, we’re kind of like giant babies. We need to relearn pretty much everything we know about keeping clean. But as grown humans, we work hard to hide our true identity as someone who poops.

However, it’s important to know how to take care of business out on the trail. While it’s no big deal to stink, it’s another thing to end up with a nasty stomach bug in the middle of nowhere because you didn’t know any better.

So, we’re going to do you a solid (pun intended). Let’s run through all the personal hygiene situations you’ll need to troubleshoot on the trail.

Contents

1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
3. Dispose of waste properly
4. Leave what you find
5. Minimise campfire impacts (be careful with fire)
6. Respect wildlife
7. Be considerate of traditional landowners and other visitors

Whether you’re on your first or fiftieth hiking trip, we can all learn more about being more hygienic and responsible outdoors. Carry around the right products and don’t be afraid to ask more experienced hikers and campers dumb questions about poop.

Source
Sea to Summit Blog