Winter Hygiene

Everybody poops and you'll still need to poop in the winter.  If you are on deep snow, you shouldn't just bury your poop in the snow and leave it as a surprise for spring hikers.  So for deep snow, you'll need to bag your poop, just like you would for your dog in the park. 

Winter Personal Hygiene Kit

• • Hygiene Bag

    • Quart Size Freezer Bag

  • Toothbrush 

    • Ideally with cap

  • Toothpaste

    • Small tube

    • Tablets

  • Soap 

    • Soap sheets are easy to pack 

      • Sea to Summit Pocket Wilderness Wash

    • Hand Sanitizer 

      • is great - but does NOT deactivate norovirus 

      • It should not freeze in the winter

        • If it freezes, it has low alcohol content and should be disposed of

        • Although it should not freeze, you should warm in pocket before use as it can get cold enough to cause frostbite

      • Don't use in extremely cold environment where extreme cooling will occur when sanitized hands are exposed to air

        • Only use when you can warm hands

      • Purell seems to do better than generic brands that separate at very low temperatures

Human Waste Bag

When it comes to your human waste bag, you have several options. 

Choose one of the following:

• Some bag systems come with a mylar outer bag

  • Mylar bag blocks odor, has a zip closure and are more durable than thinner plastic bags

  • We break Poo Bags into 2 different groups:

    • Simple Poo Bag Systems

    • Mylar Poo Bag with Zip Closure

Simple Poo Bag Systems:

• • These use thin plastic bags instead of heavier duty mylar outer bags

  • Lighter weight options for backpackers

  • National Parks provided "Blue Bag" 

    • Used by Mt. Rainier National Park, parts of North Cascades and Olympic National Parks

    • Minimalist system 

      • Thin inner blue bag

      • Outer clear bag feels like around 3 Mill?

      • Twist tie (sometimes 1 and sometimes 2)

    • This works, but other systems are better

    • A gallon Freezer Bag can be used as an upgrade for the outer bag

  • Cleanwaste Go Anywhere Toilet Kit

    • aka Wag Bag

      • “WAG” (Waste Alleviation and Gelling) 

    • If you are carrying a backpack, this is the preferred system

      • Lightweight designed for backpackers

      • Weight: 71g

    • Contents:

      • Light Gray biodegradable plastic inner bag

        • Contains Poo Powder 

      • Dark Gray biodegradable plastic Outer bag with zip closure

      • Small roll of toilet paper (similar to MRE TP)

      • Hand sanitizer wipe

    • Requires good aim or picking up waste like dog poo

    • Need to tie bag to close

      • This makes this a one time use thing, unless you are good at knots and don't mind fuss

    • Sold at REI

  • DIY Human Waste Kit

    • Human waste bags get expensive, especially if you are outfitting an entire troop

    • There are places to skimp and this isn't one of them

    • Thickness of your bag matters:

      • Recommend: 3+ Mil for outer bag

      • Kitchen trash bag around 0.9 Mil

      • Green Elephant

        • Popular 8-gallon biodegradable bags

        • 1 Mil thick (that's a bit thin)

        • Weight: 340g - big and heavy for single use

        • Designed to fit over toilet

        • Best used for long term or group campsite use when composting is desired

      • Heavy duty trash bag 1-2 Mill

      • Ziploc Brand sandwich bag is 1.5 Mil

      • Trash Compactor Bags 2+ Mil

      • Ziploc Brand freezer bags are about 3 Mil

      • Husky Contractor Bags (sold at Home Depot) are 3 Mil

      • Costco sells both medium grade bags (0.6 Mil) and contractor bags (3 Mil)

Mylar Poo Bag with Zip Closure:

• • These come with a heavy duty mylar out bag

    • Extra durability is nice if you are hauling a lot of gear

    • These are preferred if you are packing gear in a pulk or raft

  • Restop2

    • Reststop1 is for LIQUID waste - this is NOT what you want

    • Reststop2 is for SOLID waste - this is what you want

    • Weight: 85-90g

    • Drawstring closure makes it easier to use bag more than once 

    • Gas-impervious Mylar outer pouch

    • Made for rafters

    • Is little heavier than non-mylar bag options

  • Nice Climbs El Crap Waste Bag

    • 5-gallon bag pink inner poop bag

    • Contents

      • Pink 5-gallon inner bag

      • Silver odor-proof disposal bag

        • Concern for possible holes where bag is folded

        • May not be such as issue if left outside in freezing temperatures

      • Gelling and deodorizing poop powder packet

      • Minimal TP - expect dirty fingers or butt

      • Antiseptic wipe

    • Lightest system

      • Weight: 70g

    • Intended for climbers who poo a lot and need a 10 pack

    • El Crap can hold around 3 big poops

    • Nice Climbs says to put coffee grounds in bag to reduce odor and to pee before use

  • Biffy Bag

    • Weight: 72g 

    • Wear it like diaper

    • Poop is funneled into mylar zip bag

    • Full squat not required

    • This system allows you to use bag in a tent or snow shelter

      • Do so ONLY in an emergency or right before leaving

      • The smell lingers for a LONG time and is NASTY!

Poop Tube

• Optional piece of gear

• Protects your poop bag from exploding

• Options:

  • Poop Tube 101 

  • Waste Case

  • Peanut butter jar (bring extra lid)

  • PVC contraption