I have a couple of "staying clean" questions.
I've been fairly resigned on past trips to just being dirty, but I'm trying to work out a system to keeping reasonably clean while hiking. I'd like to know what others have tried and how my plan sounds.
I'm not trying to live just like at home. I know I'm not going to be lilacs and baby powder. I'm looking to clean up not at the beginning of the day, but at the end so I'm going to bed reasonably clean.
First, I figure I can do the old camp towel wipe down with soap and water at the end of the day. I can get clean enough to be happy like that.
Second, the clothes. I think it's worth the weight to have a lightweight set of camp clothes, just some running shorts and a sleeveless shirt. As far as my hiking clothes, if I carry two pairs of shorts and two shirts, I figure I can wash them every two days or so.
What I'm thinking is carrying one of those silnylon water bags that holds like a gallon of water. I figure I can fill that up and use it as a basin to wash up. I thought for my clothes I could put them in a gallon Zip-Loc and agitate them, then use the water in the water bag to rinse them after I'm done cleaning myself. Something like that.
Also, I don't want to get my hiker badge taken away or anything, but I'd like to be using deodorant as well.
Anyone use a similar system with good results or start doing it but find it didn't work?
How far do I need to be from streams, etc? I figure washing myself every day is important, but I can save washing clothes for when camp is reasonably near water. If I'm like a hundred feet from the stream anyway, am I good washing in camp and dispersing the used water there? I always use Dr. Bronner's. It says biodegradable and all that. Is it safe to just toss my used water or is there other stuff I should be doing or watching out for?
What else should I be thinking of? I know, I know, hiking is sweaty, hikers smell, you get used to it, you don't even think of it after a while, etc. I'm hoping there's a shot of putting that into the backpacks have to weight 60 lbs category, though. I'm not trying to be clean enough to go have high tea or anything. I just don't want to be reeking all day and I don't want my stuff to either.
Thanks for reading. I look forward to hearing what everyone has to say.