this post was submitted on 21 Jun 2023
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backpacking

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submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by Gamera8ID to c/[email protected]
 

I'm mostly a day-hiker. I'd rather hike farther than carry more.

I'm slowly Passage-hiking the Arizona Trail, and there are stretches where overnights will be unavoidable.

I'm not going to cut down my toothbrush, but I do want to carry as little as possible.

I hear positive things about backpacking bidets, but the concept seems (to put it delicately) "optimistic" to me.

I may attempt the "try it afterwards in your shower at home" advice I've seen elsewhere, but that seems...gross.

Am I missing something, or is my risk tolerance misaligned with the reality of roughing it?

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 years ago (1 children)

A bidet is a game changer. On trail or off it makes everything better. Like others have said never try out new fear on the trail.

The best explanation I’ve heard is if you get shit on your hands are you satisfied with cleaning them off with just a paper towel?

[–] Gamera8ID 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

if you get shit on your hands are you satisfied with cleaning them off with just a paper towel?

This makes sense to me if there's scrubbing involved, but my understanding is that the instructions for backpacking bidets are pretty much just "squirt and go." I was also under the impression that backpacking bidets are supposed to replace tp/wipes and not be used in combination with them? Maybe the issue is my understanding.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago (2 children)

You don't want the first time you use any peice of gear to be when you are out on a trail and need it.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 years ago

This is why I practice by shitting in my neighbors yard.

[–] Gamera8ID 2 points 2 years ago

True, and backpacking bidets are inexpensive enough that I bought one before being convinced that I'm going to bring it along. I just haven't been to bring myself to try it.

I suppose what I'm looking for is the adoption ratio of people who have tried them, if that makes sense.

Like, there are some people who will throw out any food that touches the floor. Then there are the majority of folks who believe in the "5-second rule." And there are some who would eat an M&M they discovered off the floor of a dive bar bathroom. I'm personally a "5-second rule."

I figure bidet adoption probably has a similar spectrum, and I'm asking for input from folks at neither extreme who have tried them.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Solves both itchy ass syndrome and reduces the risk of running out of shit tickets when you don't have a resupply. I'm not for the branded stuff but a typical lab grade gooseneck squirter can do the job just fine.

If its only a 48 or 72 hour trip, very little chance of running out.

[–] Gamera8ID 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

shit tickets

I have never of tp being called this, but I am totally stealing it

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I always heard it called Mountain Money

[–] Gamera8ID 1 points 2 years ago

Also stealing.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago

I'm like ... Halfway there. I got a Culo Clean but have yet to obtain the correct bottle to attach it to. In the meantime, I use TP to wipe and then a wetted cloth to clean. I wash the cloth with biodegradable soap every evening on the trail. I prefer it to wet wipes because those tend to screw up my bio balance down there (I'm female).

Hopefully I'll get a Smart Water bottle soon to try out the Culo.

[–] Hikermick 1 points 2 years ago

Haven't tried one yet but get by just fine with individually wrapped moist towelettes. The ones with aloe are easier on the sphincter. In the US Walgreens carries their brand, it works best for me. Unlike toilet paper you gotta pack em out. I just stuff it back into the wrapper it came in

[–] mcpheeandme 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Never used it, but I could see it being nice. I'll never really get used to carrying out used toilet paper in a Ziploc bag. Just feels kinda gross and weird. But the time in the wilderness is always worth the price of admission.

[–] Gamera8ID 1 points 2 years ago