staying clean in the backcountry

[Alabama]

What do you guys use to stay clean on 5-7 day hunts? Take some type of wipes and just tough it out? Bathe in a creek at mid-day? I know it will be different if truck camping but what do you use there? My hunting partner has bought a 3 gallon solar heated shower bag with a small spigot that he wants to take along (for truck camping). Please share your tricks for staying clean and relatively scent-free in the backcountry whether spike, base or truck camping. Is the shower a crazy idea like I think it is? Thanks!

 

[siwulat]

Those showers are nice. It doesn't need to be overly hot for them to warm up either! They're slick little units!

 

[Matthoek21]

I usually take one backcountry type shower on a 5-7 day backcountry bivouac hunt. I just get in whatever creek or pond is available. I usually carry a small hotel bottle with a scent-free soap. The rest of the time I use wipes of different sorts. I have to have wipes for swamp a$$. Can't stand that. Other than that I use merino wool socks and base layers, which really reduces stink. Smartwool/merino wool and no cotton has really reduced body odor for me.

 

[buckbull]

I bought a tent/shower from Cabelas on sale years ago. Having the ability to take a shower really helps. It also doubles as a place to take a crap.

 

[CrossCreeks]

I agree with " siwulat " those small solar showers work, and even if it's a small shower you take in the back country not a whole lot feels much better !

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Lots of baby wipes for me. Get in your ten strip down and get after it. Sure can make a guy feel a lot better getting cleaned up after a few days of sweating.

 

[tim]

you can also fill your solar shower with creek water and than boil a pot of water and stick in the solar shower if you need to get a couple of people done quickly.

 

[Work2hunt]

Unscented baby wipes!!!!!

 

[badgerbob]

I have tried just about everything and have come to the conclusion that nothing beats soap and water. In cold weather I have filled my shower bag with water from a teapot heated on a camp stove. It really doesn't take much water to make a big difference. I have even taken cold showers.....it only hurts for a little while.

 

[Laddy]

Backcountry Ditty Bag Conents (for 7 days):

2 of these.....



1 of these....



....and a small Dial soap bar cut into quarters.

 

[Retterath]

i use dead down wind wipes. It says on the package the next best thing to a shower. I guess you will have to decide that for yourself. I like them.

 

[Finsandtines]

Unscented baby wipes every night, small bottle of scent away scent free soap and a facecloth in a creek every other day. Those and 2 sets of merino base layers got me through 5 days in 80 degree weather. Merino is a must to avoid the must!

 

[Catahoula12]

Those little black shower bags work great. Even just a quick rinse works wonders. I always have unscented baby wipes on hand also. Buy em at Walmart.

 

[25contender]

I use the Dead Downwind wipes. I also bring a washrag and boil water in the Jetboil then wipe down with the washrag. 2 cups of hot water in the Jetboil goes a long way.

 

[Iron Mike]

Unscented baby wipes for me also. At least once a day. Way cheaper then the hunting wipes and seem to work great. I carry some in my hunting pack and if I have time I will wipe down after lunch or nap (need them sometimes in the mountains!) taking care to make sure my feet are cleaned also. when wilderness hunting for a week or more you are screwed if your feet go. I use a little soap and water when time permits. I also use Merino's and have started switching out every day and hanging the worn one to air out for a day.

 

[Kevin Root]

I wear Merino wool shirt and underwear. So the stink is not as bad with that or at least manageable for a week or even two. But getting refreshed or cleaned up a bit just helps a lot on week + trips to get a recharge. So, the soap and water for a solar shower or just wet wipes is the reason to do for me more for the recharge it gives me.

I also use a small bottle of Purell for my hands, along with the wet wipes and toilet paper for my behind after going to the outdoor bathroom. Keeping the small cuts and abrasions clean as possible helps on long trips and keeping them from getting infected and healing quicker. I also think many times when folks get sick out there, more times than not it was it was due to bad hygiene more than it was from drinking bad water or bad food.

 

[grant_stricklin]

Old metal pop corn bucket and fish fryer if close to truck and no weight issue. Heat water in 5 minutes cup it out stand on a rug feels good!!

 

[geargrinder]

Try to hunt near one of these.

 

[Alabama]

Try to hunt near one of these.

Haha those aren't that common but it would be nice

 

[JMSZ]

EZ Wipes, they come like little pills, put a little water on the them and you have a damp wipe to work with.

http://www.amazon.com/Towel-Durable-Tube-Packaging-Pieces/dp/B005JWQY40

I don't like baby wipes, in the few times I tried them, they just smear the dirt around and leave me feeling sticky in a way that I'd rather just stay dirty.

With the little towels, I can do just a water wash up or add a drop of soap and clean up the naughty bits a little better.