View Full Version : As a female, what do you wish you'd been told?
ShoelessWanderer
03-22-2011, 12:35
This weekend I'm teaching a backpacking 101 class with two other (male) instructors. Over half the students are going to be female, so I'm having a special "Girls Only" session...so, I wanted to know....
As a female, what are things you'd wished you'd known when you were first getting into backpacking?
Blissful
03-22-2011, 12:38
Love to teach it with you! haha I'm sure they will want to know about hygiene, personal safety, animals and bugs
I wish all instructors would tell women to stop leaving dainty little piles of TP everywhere. Either learn ways to not have to use TP or else pack it out or bury it.
GracefulRoll
03-22-2011, 12:55
Talk to the doc about going on BC nonstop without the week break, eliminating periods while on the trail. No one wants to pack out tampons or pads.
ShoelessWanderer
03-22-2011, 12:56
I wish all instructors would tell women to stop leaving dainty little piles of TP everywhere. Either learn ways to not have to use TP or else pack it out or bury it.
One of my pet peeves as well and will definatly cover that as part of the personal hygiene section.
You are Piper? The writer Piper??
ShoelessWanderer
03-22-2011, 12:58
Talk to the doc about going on BC nonstop without the week break, eliminating periods while on the trail. No one wants to pack out tampons or pads.
Will definatly cover that, along with correct LNT for pads & tampons for those of us who sadly can't use BC.
Creek Dancer
03-22-2011, 13:28
Not just for women, but here are a few things I learned on my own:
A small pack of baby wipes are a girl's best friend. Unscented works fine.
Leave the deodorant at home. Doesn't work well enough to cover the funk in your clothing after you have been out a few days.
If you have trouble falling asleep, follow the same routine you would at home and do things in the same order. Ear plugs are helpful.
Always keep a pair of clean and dry socks just for sleeping. Store them in your sleeping bag.
This a little graphic...butt...if you are having trouble going #2 in the woods, sit on a log to give yourself balance and go on the other side of the log. Oh, and bury the stuff please.
Absolutely do not leave any TP in the woods. Carry it out or burn it later in the campfire. Some people rationalize leaving TP in the woods because it's biodegradable. Doesn't matter. Nobody wants to see that in the meantime.
Take the opportunity to allow others in your group to hike ahead, or you hike ahead of them. Experiencing the trail alone feels great and you get a completely different perspective than you would with a group. There will be no chatter from others and you will be able to see the trial in all of her glory - not just the back of the person in front of you.
And lastly, relax. Just relax. :)
That the things you need to really worry about are not bugs, animals or people - you need to learn to navigate for yourself and not get hurt or dehydrated. Top priority.
Bug bites are a nuisance - true, ticks are dangerous, so are skeeters in some places - but a head net and bug repellent (permethrin on pant legs helps a ton!) and nightly tick checks will take care of the problem. Animals, look and stay far clear, keep your hands/feet out of holes in the ground, they'll not bother you (usual caveats for not going alone and/or without bear spray in grizzly territory). People - hike right on by, be friendly, and if someone sets off your internal alarms don't be afraid to yell at them, blow whistles, wave a trekking pole... Don't be out there by yourself either. Statistically you're safer on trail than down the block from the grocery store.
Wet wipes are a good remedy for the sticky icky feeling at the end of the day. Change into warm dry stuff when stopping for the night, use a wet wipe - if you are careful about the order you wash parts you can get away with using a single wipe per day - and get comfortable before the sun sets and temps drop. Don't get chilled, mind your layers and prevent being cold to avoid the problem of getting warmed up again...
One of my pet peeves as well and will definatly cover that as part of the personal hygiene section.
You are Piper? The writer Piper??
Ha ha. Never thought of myself as a writer, but yeah, I made my trail journal into a self-published book. My mom's idea.
ShoelessWanderer
03-22-2011, 15:32
Ha ha. Never thought of myself as a writer, but yeah, I made my trail journal into a self-published book. My mom's idea.
I have one of your quotes on my facebook page that a fellow whiteblazer posted. So glad to finally find the author!
"It's an evil trail. I'm sure of it. It is not a benevolent entity. It calls people then it treats us like jealous lovers. It breaks up with you, wants you back, spits you out, pines for you and basically does absolutely nothing for the you that lives in normal society. And even with all that, here I go again."
Creek Dancer
03-22-2011, 15:36
Great quote! That just about sums it up!
Blissful
03-22-2011, 15:37
That the things you need to really worry about are not bugs, animals or people - you need to learn to navigate for yourself and not get hurt or dehydrated. Top priority.
While that is true, the above mentioned are also what women new to backpacking are concerned about. (are there bears, snakes, spiders) You need to look at it from their viewpoint and address other likely concerns also. Which is good.
Unfortunately in many cases, you cannot prevent getting hurt trailwise. You can stumble and fall. You can get blisters. You can twist an ankle or develop a knee issue downhill. They could probably use a first aid course on top of basic backpacking tips.
Ladytrekker
03-22-2011, 16:40
I am the organizer for a hiking/backpacking meetup group in Florida and I have alot of women that are new to backpacking. The things that I have really had to hammer home on is hydration for some reason water is not thought of as a necessity. I have had women bring diet cokes instead of water on an overnight hike insisting that they cannot live without their diet cokes. So, I make sure if they are hiking with me they have water and a way to get water.
Women who watch calories need to realize how many they are burning and that they need to give back to their bodies while doing so much exercising especially when adding a pack and carrying the extra weight.
Bathroom issues comes up alot for women. I carry biodegradeable wipes that I use each and everytime to keep clean only a woman will understand this.
Also women are less likely wanting to drink or cook with filtered water have had to work with them on that and once they see you don't roll over and die they will try it but I have had a few that carry excessive water to avoid filtration.
Please tell your newbee lady hikers that you can get a huge change in menstration with the increase in excercise and diet change. Even post menapausal ladies can get hit with a nasty, unexpected period that can ruin your plans if you're not prepared. Happened to me:(
ShelterLeopard
03-22-2011, 17:32
This weekend I'm teaching a backpacking 101 class with two other (male) instructors. Over half the students are going to be female, so I'm having a special "Girls Only" session...so, I wanted to know....
As a female, what are things you'd wished you'd known when you were first getting into backpacking?
That my period might stop for several months because of the sudden amount of physical activity.
Will definatly cover that, along with correct LNT for pads & tampons for those of us who sadly can't use BC.
If it's appropriate for your group, mention the Keeper/Diva Cup. I wish I'd known about that so many years ago, and being comfortable with it enables me to plan trips whenever the heck I want.
Maybe you could mention something about women trying to pack their packs in different ways.
I was packing my backpack with all the heavy stuff near my shoulders, because that's what men told me to do. Then a fellow female hiker told me to put the heavy stuff at the bottom of the pack because our center of gravity is lower. She said, "It's like how we hold babies: men hold babies on near their shoulders, women hold babies on their hips."
I'm sure this doesn't apply to everyone, but it saved me a lot of aches once I started putting weight at the bottom, and the advice always stuck with me. So it might be an idea to suggest that they experiment with the weight arrangement.
While that is true, the above mentioned are also what women new to backpacking are concerned about. (are there bears, snakes, spiders) You need to look at it from their viewpoint and address other likely concerns also. Which is good.
Unfortunately in many cases, you cannot prevent getting hurt trailwise. You can stumble and fall. You can get blisters. You can twist an ankle or develop a knee issue downhill. They could probably use a first aid course on top of basic backpacking tips.
I've had wilderness first aid courses. Generally, don't hike alone is at the top of the list of priorities. There's just not a lot you can do out there beyond getting help. The ideal group size is four - one to stay with the injured, two to go for help....
Oh, I know the viewpoint - women ask me all the time, they join my hiking group just to learn how to backpack. They want to know what I worry about and that's pretty much what I tell them. And then the conversation turns to the bears and snakes and so forth, and I am letting them know exactly how many times in last year's 600 miles of hiking I encountered those things. It's not that anyone should dismiss the concerns, it's that we need to let people know there are more pressing ones that have a higher risk factor. Like bee stings, if you're allergic, or turning hypothermic.
stonedflea
03-24-2011, 07:59
my first backpacking trip was back in decemeber. a friend of mine and i did the foothills trail in south carolina to get my feet wet.
i wasn't concerned about bugs or snakes or anything. i don't really recall being concerned about anything except being cold. i'm a very cold sleeper and in past camping situations, my experience has been ruined or very bad because i would always wake up shivering in the middle of the night. i knew if i couldn't sleep or get warm, it wouldn't matter how great the trip was otherwise. maybe talk to them about how women are generally colder sleepers than men, and what different sleeping pad options there are out there.
maybe discuss temp ratings, compression size, etc. before i started researching things for my thru-hike, i thought my coleman sleeping bag was amazing. when i got on REI and other websites, i had no idea what the +20 meant beside the bag's product name. i think i actually had to google it. then i found out that my coleman was a 5 lb. hunk of +40 synthetic goodness that would never be good for a backpacking trip because i'd never be able to get it in a stuff sack that would fit in my pack.
when one of my non-hiking friends learned that i sleep w/a sleep pad, she jokingly said that it wasn't real camping then. perhaps people new to backpacking have the idea that you're just roughin' it, and while we are, there are still a few luxuries that we allow ourselves.
the friend i hiked with was an experienced hiker, but he was well aware that, that was my first time backpacking. tell them not to expect to keep pace with someone who's used to carrying 30# packs up and down a lot of mountains. if it's your first time out, there's no shame in being the slowest one. :)
also, i'm not sure who mentioned it, but +1 on how to pack a pack. i just crammed everything into mine when we went, and each day i would spend at least an extra ten minutes in the morning figuring out where to put everything when we were ready to head out.
oh! and i think it might have actually been here that i saw it, but on the baby wipes... if they're going out on a multiple-day hike and are concerned about weight, they can always dehydrate the wipes prior to leaving and then just use a tiny bit of water to rehydrate them as needed.
ShelterLeopard
03-24-2011, 11:42
Leave the deodorant at home. Doesn't work well enough to cover the funk in your clothing after you have been out a few days.
Ear plugs are helpful.
Always keep a pair of clean and dry socks just for sleeping. Store them in your sleeping bag.
Take the opportunity to allow others in your group to hike ahead, or you hike ahead of them. Experiencing the trail alone feels great and you get a completely different perspective than you would with a group. There will be no chatter from others and you will be able to see the trial in all of her glory - not just the back of the person in front of you.
And lastly, relax. Just relax. :)
I agree with all of your comments, but especially the things above. Deodorant often makes you smell much worse in combination with days of trail grime. And after a while, you're so used to natural smells that "rain forest fresh" makes you want to gag.
And definitely let people hike alone. It is a completely different experience from hiking with other people.
Creek Dancer
03-24-2011, 11:50
That's true about how deodorant and soap smell REALLY strong after we have been on the trail a few days. There have been many times that I could smell the perfumed soap of day hikers coming up from a road crossing before I could actually see them!
ShelterLeopard
03-24-2011, 11:55
Me too creek! I was hiking in VA and I thought I could smell tide detergent (and thought I must be hallucinating), and several minutes later, and dayhiker came hiking towards me, and indeed, her clothing all smelled like tide! I had no idea that stuff smelled so strong. (This woman was slightly alarmed when I stopped to smell her clothes...)
Creek Dancer
03-24-2011, 12:05
LOL...yup! You can always tell a long distance hiker from a day hiker by the strength of their funk.
Seems that all of our senses become exaggerated on the trail. The colors of early spring bloomers appear so bright against the brown of winter. We see these colors all day long off-trail, but they are more beautiful when we see them on trail. Same goes for our hearing. Perhaps we pay attention more to sounds around us. And don't get me started on how things taste! There are foods that taste absolutely delicous on the trail, that seem so bland at home.
ShelterLeopard
03-24-2011, 12:07
I know! I feel so much more alert and in tune with my body. I can tell which food will make me feel good (as opposed to which food I would usually crave, but would make me feel slow and lethargic), etc... I love it!
ncalcamper
03-25-2011, 20:38
I'd wish I'd known more about lightweight gear selection. I'm by no means a gram weenie, but I appreciate backpacking so much more by keeping my pack weight down under 25lbs. Women really have to be smarter with their gear choices.
lmattson
03-26-2011, 08:55
Make sure these women know how to set up their own gear. It makes me sad when I see women stand back while the guys in the group take over setting up their tent for them. The trail is one of the few places in this world where we can be as smart, as strong, and as independent as men. To rob women of that empowerment is wrong, wrong, wrong.
This a little graphic...butt...if you are having trouble going #2 in the woods, sit on a log to give yourself balance and go on the other side of the log. Oh, and bury the stuff please.
:)
Don't forget to tell them to check for snakes in the leaves that are around the log. Sucks to hear them after you've sat.
SassyWindsor
03-26-2011, 21:49
As a female, what do you wish you'd been told?
Answer: "How many pairs of panties to take" :D
Hey ladies. I'm hiking the trail with my hubby in June for the first time and I've got some questions:
1. how many panties should I take?
2. what method of birth control should I use in order to skip my period?
3. how many warm & cool outfits should I take?
4. how do I stay healthy as far as food goes along the AT?
5. should I cut my hair short?
6. what kind of bra should I get & how many should I take?
Well, that's it for now. Thanks in advance.
ShelterLeopard
04-01-2011, 12:39
I was tempted to shave my head. But it turned out to be quite easy to keep my hair from strangling me in my sleep- I just kept it braided most of the time. If it stayed in a solid form without a hairtye I'd wash it in a stream. If there were things living in my hair, I'd even use a tiny drop of campsuds. That was a treat. You'll figure it out. It's a good idea to bring a small, cheap comb and comb your hair every night. Or you'll have one large dreadlock at the end.
ShelterLeopard
04-01-2011, 12:42
Hey ladies. I'm hiking the trail with my hubby in June for the first time and I've got some questions:
1. how many panties should I take?
2-3
2. what method of birth control should I use in order to skip my period?
I didn't, but I ended up skipping it anyway because of the sudden physical change in my body- I missed it for 2 months.
3. how many warm & cool outfits should I take?
When are you hiking? I took shorts and a tee for hiking, and comfy pants, long sleeved shirt and a sweater for in camp. I had more clothing in the winter though.
4. how do I stay healthy as far as food goes along the AT?
Bring good food, not little debbies.
5. should I cut my hair short?
6. what kind of bra should I get & how many should I take?
Sports bra, 1.
Well, that's it for now. Thanks in advance.
Responses in BOLD. (except the hair thing. I'd wait to cut it until after the hike)
HmongGirl
04-01-2011, 12:51
This is Mrs. Blass. Finally made my profile. Thanks for the tips. I will surely use them.
HmongGirl
04-01-2011, 12:57
Hey ladies again. This is my first time hiking the AT. We are going to start in first wk of June from Maine to Georgia. I hate to admit this, but I've been mostly a city girl most my life and I am so used to having make-up on. I don't use a lot, but just cover under eye, eyebrows & eyeliner. Should I take a small amount with me or is this completely stupid of me to do? My hubby's coming with me so I want to look nice for him. Please give me your suggestions. Thanks a bunch.
ShelterLeopard
04-01-2011, 12:59
Hey ladies again. This is my first time hiking the AT. We are going to start in first wk of June from Maine to Georgia. I hate to admit this, but I've been mostly a city girl most my life and I am so used to having make-up on. I don't use a lot, but just cover under eye, eyebrows & eyeliner. Should I take a small amount with me or is this completely stupid of me to do? My hubby's coming with me so I want to look nice for him. Please give me your suggestions. Thanks a bunch.
It's completely stupid. After a couple days on trail, I'm willing to bet that you'll think so too.
ShelterLeopard
04-01-2011, 13:00
As for being a city girl, I know many city girls who have adapted very well to life on the trail. Some are just set free by not having to shower and put on make-up and smell nice all the time- you may have trouble adjusting back to the city! :D
HmongGirl
04-01-2011, 13:05
Cool, just the answer I was hoping to read. I thought it'd be stupid. Ok, no make-up then. I am so looking forward to this. I hope u are right that I'll have trouble adjusting back to the city life. Thanks!
ShelterLeopard
04-01-2011, 14:31
Good luck and have fun!
ShoelessWanderer
04-01-2011, 22:34
Thank you gals for all the awesome feedback. The class was a great success, with about 75% of students being female. Their trip is the end of April, so we'll see how they do!
ShoelessWanderer
04-01-2011, 22:36
Make sure these women know how to set up their own gear. It makes me sad when I see women stand back while the guys in the group take over setting up their tent for them. The trail is one of the few places in this world where we can be as smart, as strong, and as independent as men. To rob women of that empowerment is wrong, wrong, wrong.
Me too! They are all responsible for their own gear. First time I'll help them, second time I'm there to instruct if they need it...after that they should know how to do it. (That goes for the men & women in my group)
I lead at least a once yearly female-only trip...it's amazing the number of females that say they won't go because they don't feel they can handle it without the guys. To hell with that...what can the boys do that I can't? And if they had a little motivation they'd say the same thing.
Talk to the doc about going on BC nonstop without the week break, eliminating periods while on the trail. No one wants to pack out tampons or pads.
This is the way to go without having to screw with your cycles and hormones OR pack tampons and pads:
http://www.divacup.com/
ShoelessWanderer
04-07-2011, 10:43
I have had women bring diet cokes instead of water on an overnight hike insisting that they cannot live without their diet cokes. So, I make sure if they are hiking with me they have water and a way to get water.
Women who watch calories need to realize how many they are burning and that they need to give back to their bodies while doing so much exercising especially when adding a pack and carrying the extra weight.
Bathroom issues comes up alot for women. I carry biodegradeable wipes that I use each and everytime to keep clean only a woman will understand this.
Also women are less likely wanting to drink or cook with filtered water have had to work with them on that and once they see you don't roll over and die they will try it but I have had a few that carry excessive water to avoid filtration.
The burning calories is definatly an important one, thank you!
I wish I had known about the Diva cup. I might have been able to forgo a hysterectomy a while longer. I will say that if you are eligible for a hysterectomy, it's quite liberating from a backpacking point of view. But it does mess with your drive.
Not just for women, but here are a few things I learned on my own:
A small pack of baby wipes are a girl's best friend. Unscented works fine.
Leave the deodorant at home. Doesn't work well enough to cover the funk in your clothing after you have been out a few days.
If you have trouble falling asleep, follow the same routine you would at home and do things in the same order. Ear plugs are helpful.
Always keep a pair of clean and dry socks just for sleeping. Store them in your sleeping bag.
This a little graphic...butt...if you are having trouble going #2 in the woods, sit on a log to give yourself balance and go on the other side of the log. Oh, and bury the stuff please.
Absolutely do not leave any TP in the woods. Carry it out or burn it later in the campfire. Some people rationalize leaving TP in the woods because it's biodegradable. Doesn't matter. Nobody wants to see that in the meantime.
Take the opportunity to allow others in your group to hike ahead, or you hike ahead of them. Experiencing the trail alone feels great and you get a completely different perspective than you would with a group. There will be no chatter from others and you will be able to see the trial in all of her glory - not just the back of the person in front of you.
And lastly, relax. Just relax. :)
Great list! Thanks for sharing.
Fussymary
04-26-2011, 18:44
I thought I could pee in a bottle at night like some guys do - but that didn't work out so well. Don't even bother trying.
Ditto creek dancer.
Take care of your feet. Clean them at night and treat a hot spot as soon as you get it.
Male posting here in the interest of full disclosure.
This is really my (and my fiancee's) first time hitting the trail, but we do other activities far from civilization pretty often. With all the mention the Diva Cup has been getting I thought I'd point out the pee-funnel ( http://thepstyle.com/ and others)
Great for peeing standing up I'm told, but my lady friends tell me the best part is that it makes late night pee bottle use an option if you don't want to leave the tent in the dark.