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| Some of us do not require a brush or comb by default! |
- Shampoo/conditioners
- Face wash
- Moisturiser
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Mouthwash
- Shaver
- Shaving cream
- Body wash/soap
- Antiperspirant/deodorant
- Hand wash/sanitizer
- Toenail clippers
- Hand Nail clippers
- Emery board
- Nose hair trimmer/ tweezers
- Flannel for washing
- Toilet paper
- Q tips/ ear buds
- Brush/ combs
- Hair dryers/ curler
- Cologne/ perfume
So lets get real about what that would weigh. Even if you used your shampoo as a body wash, face wash, moisturiser, shaving cream, hand wash/sanitizer you are still carrying some real weight!
When Tim & I head out for our 40 days in the Australian Alps we want to be carrying around 42kilos combined so we need to be really mindful of how much pack weight we are willing to allocate to hygiene.
We are hoping to have a river bath every couple of days when the opportunity presents itself but to be honest we are going to smell. We will have one change of clothes for each weather type ( hot or cold) so even if we are smelling like fresh mountain water from the river, our clothes are going to be putrid. After the first week Tim & I won't probably be able to smell ourselves anymore, the only way we will really know how bad we smell is by the speed in which all manner of living creature tried to flee our presents in the bush.
Lets cross off the easy to eliminate from the above list....remembering I have no hair & Tim will be getting a good trim before leaving. Lets remove shampoo/conditioner, face wash, moisturiser, mouthwash, shaver and shaving cream, toe and hand nail clippers, emery board, nose hair trimmers, Q tips, brush/comb, hair dryer or curler and cologne. Those were easy, no real sacrifices made..... but now we start having to think a little deeper.
Flannel is light weight and can be stuffed into almost any air gap in the pack but surely using my hand to scrub up in the river will do, Okay lets drop the flannel.
Floss is small, light weight and crucial to keeping my dentist happy..... but based on the idea that we will have 1 rest day on day 11 our wives and kids, we will let them bring the hygienic extras and forgo good dental hygiene on the trail.
Antiperspirant/deodorant is not small but it is light, it may make that first 20 minutes of every morning bearable..... but of course the lovely fragrance emitted by these products will disappear 20 minutes down the trail so it really isn't going to effect our overall sanity...... its out!
Lets move onto the keepers then. Toothpaste & toothbrush and body wash/soap, have both made the final 4 with very little surprises there but lets talk about the hand sanitizer.... necessary? A small bottle is going to be one of my luxury inclusions in my pack. I have read a number of article from various sources who have been through these areas and some have found the water made them sick, some found that if they drank the water after washing their hands the water was fine.... expecting the individuals got sick from the germs on their hands not the water source. Its a easy insurance policy I think. Nothing will be more shattering then getting into the trip and having to pull out and go home due to illness.
So item number 4 on my list of hygiene must brings...... of course toilet paper. I am not as hard core as the guys in the below video clip! I do however believe I will use some of their tips to reduce the amount of paper I will bring.
I will not be scrapping my ass with a rock, or bark, or a fern. We are roughing it but some things I am happy to add pack weight for. A small travel pack of inter-folding toilet paper will not break my back. That being said I am converted to the outdoor baday, great idea and highly hygienic.
I'll be interested in everyones comments of further hygiene tips while on the trail, so please make comments in the field provided below.
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