Cleaning up on a backpack hunt?

[Tim in WY]

After a long sweaty pack-in or a long day of climbing, what's the best way to clean up before getting in the sleeping bag after dark? I've always used no scent body wipes but I'm wondering if there are any better ideas nowadays?

 

[PantherCity]

Camp soap bath in the stream. Do it midday so you don't get too cold.

 

[mallacootasmoothie]

I think your already doing it. Baby wipes.

 

[Violent Hippie]

Personal preferences vary . I usually set up camp near a water source and love rinsing off in ice cold mountain streams or lakes. If no water available I use the unscented baby wipes .

 

[mtnwrunner]

Turn your underwear around


Actually baby wipes work great or as someone else said, mountain water somewhere.

Randy

 

[dirtytough]

I've used a stream and baby wipes. I prefer baby wipes myself

 

[Wyatt G]

Skinny Dipper? Or Face Washer? - YouTube

 

[Tim in WY]

Thanks, guys. Looks like body wipes and no rinse liquid soap are still my go-to options.

 

[CorbLand]

I use these and love them
No Rinse Cleansing & Deodorizing Bathing Wipes | Walgreens

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Use of soap in the backcountry is becoming increasingly regulated and can buy you a citation in Calif. I'll sit in a stream or jump in a lake for a quick bath but in winter its wipes and merino base layers.

 

[Matthoek21]

I prefer skinny dipping but also go both ways (LOL) depending on air temperature.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

I've considered this but have yet to try it. I already have the pump bag and it's only a 1.2 oz penalty.

Exped Shower Schnozzel | Personal Hygiene | BackcountryGear.com

 

[neverquit]

Wow I feel disgusting now. I seldom do anything other than brushing my teeth.

 

[freebird134]

Wow I feel disgusting now. I seldom do anything other than brushing my teeth.

x2. In a >10 day trip to the back country, I might wash in a creek twice.

 

[Ben]

I've never done any bathing or laundry, and brush my teeth only every other night. I wear the same merino boxers for 5+ days and often forgot to change my socks at the halfway point. I got stuff do to, no time for 'hygiene'

 

[CorbLand]

Wow I feel disgusting now. I seldom do anything other than brushing my teeth.

I did too, until I tried taking a "bath" at the end of the day. Its amazing.

 

[Colberjs]

I've learned that at 6' 3"/260#, I can take a shower with 2 liters of water. I'll heat a couple cups in my Jetboil and add it to my water pouch of my gravity filter and can take a quick "navy" shower. Nothing more refreshing than a shower before bed. I can sleep like a baby when I'm clean. Can hardly sleep at all dirty.

 

[charvey9]

And here I thought a backpack hunt was just a good cover for not having to "clean up" for a few weeks. Sometimes I think the best part is coming home rank as hell to see my wife run in the opposite direction, yet my dog is all up in my business. Thats how you know what true love is.

 

[Jeff Martin]

We pack a packable camp shower - several light weight options and worth the weight penalty. I have found it even changes my attitude...just getting clean.

 

[Tim in WY]

I have a nylon stand alone water carrying bag that is weightless and wads up to nothing. It has 2 handles you can loop over a low limb to keep it from spilling out.
I also cut the bottom 3" or so off a plastic gallon milk jug and used it for a sink... lightweight and compresses to fit in my pack. Also have a collapsible 10L Sea to Summit Kitchen Sink in a zippered pouch I bring backpacking with my daughters so they have a nice basin to wash hair etc....
With these choices, I bring a small squeeze bottle filled with no-rinse liquid soap and a small fleece 'chamois' for a washcloth and a bigger one for a towel.
It does make me feel better to get cleaned up before hitting the sleeping bag for a night's rest.