The doing dishes task is one of dread for many backpackers because cleaning often involves finding and collecting more water. And after cleaning, you have to walk a few more steps away from the camp area to scatter the wastewater. Sometimes it is not a matter of laziness, but of circumstance. It might be that you are rationing your water because there is no water anywhere around you, and you don’t know where the next water source is. Other than hoping for rain, or packing up a dirty kitchen set, more options do exist. We always encourage backpackers to use […]
Clean
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If you wear contact lenses, chances are you have bad eyesight and dislike wearing glasses. Is there any reason to stop using your contact lenses while backpacking? The answer is no. It is possible to wear and sanitize your contact lenses successfully in the wilderness, but you must pay careful attention to maintaining lens hygiene. Are Glasses really Necessary? Consider how confident you would be if you were to lose your contact lenses for any reason. It’s wise to bring glasses, especially if you struggle to see clearly enough to determine whether that thing nestled inside your shoe is your […]
Brushing your teeth in the wilderness is a different experience than standing in front of a bathroom sink with freely flowing tap water. We researched a few options for you to consider as part of your cavity & plaque prevention in the woods. Toothbrush Options Standard – pack out the same toothbrush you use at home. Pack it in a zip-top bag. No extra expense is required. You can also purchase a plastic vented toothbrush cap for about $1 to keep the brush dry and clean. Travel Size – use a standard 2-piece travel-sized toothbrush where the brush fits securely in a plastic capped […]
A review of UV Water Sterilization using the SteriPEN Journey Collecting water from a nearby river, stream or spring can often mean the water is contaminated with a host of bacteria, parasites and other organisms resulting from animal waste or decay. Fortunately, sterilizing water using ultraviolet (UV) light is quick, easy, and works without the use of any chemicals. This portable UV sterilizing device is perfect for treating water while backpacking or foreign travel. How does it work? The SteriPEN (manufactured by Hydro-Photon) is equipped with an optical grade quartz lamp which emits a shortwave germicidal ultraviolet (UV) light to […]
Grubby fingers? Foul breath? Food bits stuck in your teeth? Soiled Dishes? Backpacking without soap can leave you feeling uncomfortable and grimy. Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 organic hemp castile soap solves all these problems. We love this stuff – it is naturally scented, completely organic, biodegradable, highly concentrated, and serves a multitude of uses. Use Sparingly You only need a small amount of this soap since it is a highly concentrated oil. Cleaning Camp Dishes You may not even need it at all if you are consuming dried foods (dehydrated/freeze-dried). These meals are already pre-cooked and dried, so you are not actually cooking […]