| You don't want to carry ten pounds of clothes | | | | guidelines: |
| when backpacking. In fact, for us lightweight | | | | |
| backpackers, anything more than a few pounds | | | | - Carry the clothes and water away from the |
| is too much. This means washing clothes on | | | | stream or lake (200 feet). |
| the trail at some point. Here are some tips | | | | |
| on how to do it right. | | | | - Get the clothes just wet enough to lather |
| | | | them up with detergent. |
| Here's the easy solution for short | | | | |
| backpacking trips, those that are three days | | | | - Add soap, scrub and then squeeze out as |
| or less: just don't wash your clothes. That | | | | much detergent and water as you can. |
| is, unless they really need it. In that case | | | | |
| proceed to the next paragraph. | | | | - Slowly pour rinse water over them, stopping |
| | | | when they are wet enough, and squeezing more |
| Try to make your backpacking clothes less | | | | detergent and water out of them. |
| stinky. In other words, don't sweat too much. | | | | |
| Actually this is a good idea for another | | | | - Repeat this until they are sufficiently |
| reason. If you get your clothing wet with | | | | rinsed. |
| sweat, later you may have a problem staying | | | | |
| warm. It cools dramatically at night in the | | | | It is better for the environment and simpler |
| mountains and desert, for example, and the | | | | too, if you just avoid using detergent. To do |
| evaporative effect from your damp clothing | | | | this, you can follow the above guidelines |
| can chill you dangerously at times. | | | | without detergent. You can also swim in a |
| | | | lake or stream with your clothes on to wash |
| The best plan, then, is to remove layers | | | | them. Do this just before the heat of the |
| before you start to sweat. You can also | | | | day, so they will dry on you as you hike. |
| prevent sweaty feet - and therefore stinky | | | | Avoid doing this in small ponds that may be |
| socks - by applying antiperspirant to the | | | | affected by the soap, deodorant and such that |
| bottoms of your feet for several days before | | | | inevitably washes off your body. |
| you go backpacking. Letting clothing air out | | | | |
| on tree branches in camp can remove some | | | | Socks and small pieces of clothing can be |
| odors as well. | | | | hung on your pack to dry as you hike. In |
| | | | camp, you can hang clothes on spruce trees to |
| Washing Clothes | | | | help impart a better odor to them. If your |
| | | | clothing supply is limited when backpacking |
| Of course at some point, especially on the | | | | (isn't it always?), wash it early, so you'll |
| longer backpacking trips, you will need to | | | | be able to dry it before the cold night |
| wash your clothes. Detergent, however, is bad | | | | comes. Shake the clothing and fluff it up |
| for streams and lakes. If you feel you | | | | once dry. It will insulate better this way, |
| absolutely must use it, follow these | | | | keeping you warmer. |