SO, today is international WOMEN'S day! With that in mind and having watched Moxie on Netflix last night, I decided maybe I should do a post about women in the backcountry. MEN, Be aware, I will be talking about menstruation and feminine hygiene in the backcountry. If this makes you uncomfortable, then I suggest skipping this post. The biggest issue for women in the backcountry happens in their private areas. This can be from hygiene to safety. Since most women I know are concerned with hygiene in the backcountry, I will start there.
Because women do not have genitalia that hangs out for all to see, it ends up being a warm, moist, dark place, and what do many of us know about those conditions and bacterial growth? It's ideal! So, big concerns in an environment of not showering for days on end can be a bacterial infection like a yeast infection. Add to that, the shy bladder hiker that has problems peeing in the woods, and now you have a urinary tract infection as well. Those alone can end a hiking trip...or at least delay things for a while. So, how as a women in the backcountry do we manage this aspect?
On every long distance hike, I carry at least 1 bandana and 1 buff. Either of these items can be used with a little water to cleanse. If you're lucky, then you are camped next to a stream and that makes this process a little easier. For those not concerned about pack weight, then carrying a small bottle of Dr Bronner's can be your best friend. Not only can you wash your private parts, but you can wash dishes, brush your teeth, and shampoo your hair (please be sure to do all of this 100yards away from the water source so as not to contaminate your/everyone's drinking water - Giardia increases the chance of ending your hike sooner than planned). If pack weight is an issue, then using just water is good as long as you are gently scrubbing versus just pouring water over your privates and calling it good. Another option is feminine hygiene wipes sold near maxi-pads/tampons in the grocery store/pharmacy. They can be packaged in a ziploc such that you have 1-2 for each night that you are out. Typically, taking the time each night to cleanse this area can help reduce the chance of infections. With that said, keeping in mind to wipe/clean from front to back so that you are not spreading anything from the back to the front.
The other fun thing we women get to manage in the backcountry, if we have not yet passed gracefully through menopause or had a hysterectomy, is that monthly blessing reminding us that we can bring life into this world...our menses. How do we not attract bears during that time of the month, and what do we do with the waste? Yes! There is always a concern about blood attracting wild animals. In my 34years of being outdoors with this issue, I have yet to have a problem with wildlife in relation to my period blood. If you are using maxi pads/tampons, place used ones in a ziploc bag with a tea bag. This neutralizes the odor, and is less apt to attract animals. For those who use something like the diva cup, be sure to dig a deep enough hole far enough away from your campsite to empty the contents (usually about 6inches, the same as burying fecal matter). Remember to practice great hand hygiene as well as feminine hygiene while inserting and removing the diva cup, or you will end up with a horrible infection that takes you off the trail.
Having discussed the hygiene aspect, let me touch on the safety aspect of being a woman in the backcountry...especially if you are hiking solo. First and most important thing is to always be aware of your surroundings. Notice that strange man watching you across the street. Say hello to the snake spread out sunning itself on the trail before you step on it. And know what's happening in the areas into which you are adventuring. One of the stories I tell is the night I am walking home by myself in the dark from the lightrail station 1.5 miles from my home. Two girls run up behind me and ask if they can walk with me. Their response to my question of why is because there was a weird guy on the train. I questioned where the weird guy was at that moment. The duo stated they did not know. Did he get off the train? They did not know. This is a prime example of not paying attention to your surroundings. If the man gets off the train, you quickly jump back on hoping he is too slow to make it back on before the train leaves the station. If he gets back on, at least there are people and an emergency button on the train. Do NOT get off the train unaware of the weird guy's location and then look to walk with a stranger along a dark path. This leads to my next point...DON'T tell strangers what you are doing or where you are going.
When preparing for the Appalachian Trail, I read Bill Bryson's book, A Walk in The Woods. In that book, he mentions a case of 2 ladies having been killed in their tent along the trail. The way he tells the story, it sounds like the ladies had gone in to town, gotten dinner and some drinks, met a person, and then returned to their tent. It is uncertain whether they said anything to the person about where they were camping, but that is a possibility, and exactly what I am suggesting one does NOT do. While on the AT, I had the opportunity to return to Damascus Trail Days, a huge celebration of the Thru-hiker population. I opted out of going back to a place where I would be camped in a field full of people drinking and partying, thus increasing my potential of being attacked/raped. These are the choices we as females have to make in the backcountry to keep ourselves safe.
So, stay aware, don't let people know your exact location, and remember your spidey sense. If something doesn't feel right, it probably is NOT right. If on the side of a road and someone sketchy pulls up offering you a ride, talk to them from a distance...do NOT approach a vehicle putting yourself close enough to be in harms way...feel free to tell them your hiking partner is coming along shortly, and even hike back into the woods to go "look for your partner." If after all of this you are still uncertain of your safety on the trail, then maybe look at carrying pepper spray, mace, or taking a self-defense class.
I hope this post has helped many feel more comfortable going into the backcountry for long periods of time. Educate yourself and stay alert. Women can enjoy the backcountry safely. Happy International Women's Day. I hope to see many more women in the backcountry doing amazing things! It's NOT just a man's world anymore!
Cheers!
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