Came across this article and just figured I'd post it...Sorry if it's useless info...

http://andrewskurka.com/2013/female-hygiene-guide-tips/

Hi all! I'm getting laid off in August so I figured what better time to start a solo section hike! I'm not super worried about going alone, but my dad threw the old "young lady in the woods" bit at me and I'm looking for a way to console him. Seeing as I'm 23 and he's the one who taught me to love the outdoors and to shoot a gun, I'm not sure why he's so worried.

I'm debating bringing my 90 lb hunting Labrador retriever with me, but since I'll be starting so late in the season I'm not even sure how many people there'll be on the trail, and I don't know if I want the extra burden of a dog. I'm not necessarily worried about going alone, but I can be shy around new people, and all the trail narratives I've been reading include at least one "creeper" tale whether it's on the trail or in town. Some of the authors even seem unnecessarily attentive to young women they encounter on the trail, so I guess there's that to look forward to :/

Any advice here on consoling my dad and being safe on my own?

My wife just had her first backpacking experience and well I love getting nice and funky for 4-5 days, she was a little uncomfortable by the end of the trip with the smell and dirtiness especially down there. She asked if next time if she could bring baby powder along to help. Of course I said NO I"M NOT CARRYING ANY EXTRA WEIGHT!!! ;) But in all seriousness is there any risk (I'm thinking mostly smell related) with using/bringing a small bottle of baby powder? I asked her if she would prefer something else, but that seemed like it would work for multiple things for her so whatever she wants is fine with me - I just want to be sure its safe and see if maybe there are some better options out there from more experienced female backpackers. Is it safe to leave out at night or should it go in the bear bag? Thanks in advance.

Any others out there? I'm 54, have had a life long dream of hiking the AT. Well, actually since I found out about it in college, which was a long, long time ago! I also have Multiple Sclerosis. Since I don't know what the future holds for me I don't want to wait any longer. I don't want to get to the end of my life and have the regret of never having attempted it. I may not make it out of GA but at least I will have tried! So I'm going for it. I'm trying to get in shape, researching gear and reading everything I can. I've read so many books and journals I feel like an armchair expert, but that's the only kind of expert, lol! I've done a little backpacking and a lot of camping. I'd love to know other women who are hiking next year. Oh, and Butterfly isn't my trail name. I don't have one. I'll just let the trail give me one, however that happens. I just absolutely love Monarch butterflies and have studied and "grown" them. So that's the reason for my profile name.

Thought this was an inventive solution for those who like to keep a bit of extra cash separate from their wallet.

From: http://shialabeowulf.tumblr.com/post...ur-life-easier

Any ladies out there interested in the Diva Cup? I'm giving one away free to a lucky reader on my blog! Feel free to check it out http://www.backpackingengineer.com/blog.php/17. The review is specific to hikers.

Good luck!

I hope this isn't a stupid question. I might be concerned about nothing but I wanted to ask. Let's say you treat your clothes with permethrin using the soaking method and you don't wear underwear while hiking. Will the permethrin come into contact with your lady parts, especially when you wear the same running tights (not pants) day after day, and you sweat (a lot)?

Oh woe is me. I can not seem to get any sleep on my REI Women's Sleeping Pad. It's the Lite - Core 1.5. Worse yet, it's leaking air so I need to figure that out.

With any pad I've tried, inflatable or not, my hips hurt as I tend to sleep on my side, and I wake up with a sore back as well. Sometimes it's so sore it's hard to roll over during the night. Some thru hikers told me on last section hike that it would go away and I would adjust over time. But I'm not a thru hiker and don't have time to get used to it. I'll be out a lot this summer for one and two nights at a time.

I really need to get some sleep out there. I need some cushion under me that will protect my hips a bit.

What do you other gals use?

My sister told me today: "isn't anyone else worried about you hiking alone?" I don't feel afraid hiking by myself, but I am cautious. Just wondering how other women deal with this. Do you take mace or a taser to make family feel better? My sister is insisting I carry a taser...I love that she loves me and may buy one just to ease her mind.

I'm having a ton of trouble locating new hiking shorts that I like, so I'm hoping somebody out there has the same preferences as I do and has found a suitable solution that they can share. I'm being really, really picky about this, but I think it's just because I know exactly what I want and it's frustrating that I can't find it. The shorts I have now are perfect, but I bought them in 2007 and they are finally wearing out (and one of the two pair got lost, oh, if only I could find that pair I would be all set for my thru!).

Things I like about them: they have a 6" inseam (by my measuring) and come to mid-ish thigh. I'm 5'8", with some butt, long legs, and definitely-not-skinny-thighs. The shorts are loose fitting, but not baggy. They are 100% polyester, and move smoothly without getting caught on each other or anything. Despite having such a modest inseam, they do not come up to my belly button, with the waist sitting at a far more comfortable place between there and low rise.
That is what I want.
I do not want anything with buttons or zippers or which requires a belt to hold it up. I don't need pockets with zippers or anything. I've been to REI as well as Target/Walmart/Old Navy/various other places in the area that sell activewear, and the shorts tend to either be really short and/or skintight running or biking shorts, or longer "hiking" shorts with tougher fabric that are just heavier and sturdier-seeming than what I want (with six years of solid use mostly Ultimate Frisbee and hiking, my plain sports shorts have clearly been sturdy enough!) I would just get guys' shorts, but then the waist is just way too tall. Any ideas? There's got to be something really obvious out there that I just haven't managed to find.
I am considering switching to a skirt or skort, but I have similar issues with those- either too heavy or too short or not made for someone with a butt so they either ride way up in the back or must sit at my belly button.

TL;DR: anybody know of some good running/athletic shorts with more than a 3" inseam? (or even just a website that allows me to sort by inseam length so I don't have to look at every single pair to figure out they're too short?) I am getting so tired of shopping around, but I want to find some before my current ones completely wear out.

Hi all,
I'm trying to figure out the most ideal base layers for petite ladies. I am 5'0" and 106 lbs. I am seeking something lightweight, both in terms of warmth and physical weight of the shirt/pants. Also, something good at wicking sweat/moisture. Something odor resistant would be nice as well, but I can deal with being smelly. Any suggestions? I was considering ordering 3/4 length thermal pants due to my shortness.

Hello...I'm a female, 54 years-old, looking for a buddy to do a section hike with. I'd like to start at Davenport Gap but I'm flexible with the starting point. I'd like to go past Hot Springs...maybe Erwin, TN. But, again, I'm flexible with that. The part that is hard is I've had this window of opportunity open up to leave Fri, May 17, and so I'm here scrambling for someone to hook up with. I had a bad encounter last year on the AT with a fella so my husband really wants me to have a partner. Let me know if you're interested! PM me and we'll work it out.

I'm easy to get along with, consider myself a moderate paced hiker...not the fastest, but not the slowest either. Moderate physical shape, experienced backpacker. Thanks!:sun

"I walked all of Maine 20+ years ago with a slightly spoiled grandson (he had been raised by a single mother, mostly in a households of single women)"

Post #17 here

I know that there are a lot of threads about sports bras out there, but none of the ones I have seen seem to face the particular problem I do. I love sports bras and obviously hope to where one on the trail. However, much to my dismay, I'm pretty busty. I've tried several brands of bras, but I always face the same problem. As I wear them throughout the day, sometimes they last two, the fabric stretches out until there is absolutely no support and they're pretty much useless. Has anyone faced a similar problem and can help me out by recommending a brand that's going to keep supporting me for 4+ days before I get to wash it? Thanks for any help!

I am having a heck of a time finding a backpack that fits right. I have an Osprey Kestrel 58 I bought at the end of last year in preps for some backpacking this summer. I love this pack, except the shoulder straps do not fit right plus rub my neck, and the hip belt is probably too short but would be okay. Shoulder straps are not curving around my shoulders, just pulling back on my collarbone. Hip belt is not removable, harness is. I brought home an Ariel and an Aura. The Ariel really pulls away from my back when fully loaded, but the harness is great. I took it out and put it on the Kestrel, thought I had a solution until realizing the load lifter straps on the Ariel harness are too wide for the Kestrel's buckles. The Aura doesn't fit right at all. I tried the Viva and it was fairly comfortable but very hot against the back (no mesh). I tried a Deueter, didn't fit right at all. I'd really like to try a Gregory Deva 60 and having trouble finding one in my area. I know they are heavier but if it fits right I am good with that.

I think it's my shape that is the problem: I am pear shaped--small rounded shoulders, hippy, torso measures 19". I'm 5'9, 165 lbs.

Anyone have similar issues, suggestions, ideas? I'm getting pretty frustrated.:confused: