Sanitation and Hygiene

Sanitation and hygiene are somewhat difficult to maintain and sad to say are ignored by some .Hiking is dirty, sweaty business and keeping your self and your clothes city clean is next to impossible.

Generally, you can use a bandanna and some water to wipe yourself down every night. In order to protect the environment use of soap, even biodegradable kind) is kept to a minimum. This is not the same as a thorough bath or shower but it does remove most of the grime. Some use baby fresh wipes on their underarms and groin area. Hair washing generally waits till your next town overnight stay (once a week or so). Some try to shave but most wait till they get into town. Tooth brushing is accomplished quite regularly though some environmentalists frown on the use of toothpaste.

Not much can be done for your clothes, especially in cold weather. The same clothes are generally worn each day and they get quite salt encrusted and smelly. Washing them is not practical in cold weather as they would freeze rather than dry. They are washed when the hiker gets into town.

When the weather warms up a hiker may dive into a creek or stream with his clothes on and give the body and clothes a thorough but soap less soaking. He will then either hike till they dry or if the weather is particularly nice find a place to lie in the sun till they dry.

Most meals are boil and serve so there is only one pot and 1 spoon to wash. These are usually washed without soap. Since little or no fat is used in cooking soap less washing works very well. Many hikers are switching to titanium pots and utensils. Titanium is very expensive but it does naturally inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Latrines are found at fairly regular intervals along the trail and it is strongly suggested that the hiker make use of them. Quite frankly, if you get caught between privy's finding a place to go would be difficult. You should leave the trail and find someplace out of sight from it, dig a small hole. take care of your business and then fill the hole. Since the trail is mostly either going up or down a mountain or going along a ridgeline , finding a place that qualifies is a job indeed.