Oh thank goodness someone else was thinking the same thing. If it was accidental, maybe a different question was in order for the second part of the video. 😂
Haha, that poop to peanut butter transition, priceless. My favourite deuce dropping trick is to dig the cat hole close to a tree on its uphill side. Then you can lean your back against said tree & move your heels uphill of the drop zone. You might just be fertilizing that tree & it’s less likely others will be walking there too. (unless they use the same trick & the same tree)
Solid trees are your friend. Just don't grab a bendy tree. Also, trees can have poison ivy, so check closely for vines growing up the tree before grabbing or leaning. If you are flexible enough to do deeper squats, I usually found that not dropping your drawers too far and squatting to where your butt is below your shorts is fairly fool proof if you can keep your feet spread and not too far back. But that requires some flexibility, strength and balance (the tree).
The only logistical problem: The closer to (some) standing trees, the more - and thicker - roots/rootlets you have to dig through. If you can find two fallen trees, you can brace/counterbalance, hanging your "delivery system" over the excavated "drop zone".
For the young lady asking about post-mastectomy hiking, it is absolutely possible without discomfort. I would be glad to answer any questions if she wants to reach out privately. But you will not have to give up your passion. 💕
Same thing if you have a lung removed. I had 3 lobes of lung removed and I gave myself a few months of just walking before I got back to backpacking. Don't give up your passion. You have to get used to "the new normal".
@@DumpTrump4TRE45ON One item to check out if you're finding pressure points uncomfortable is in the automotive section...look for the lamb's wool pieces that you get to wrap around a seat belt that rubs too much. Put them on your straps where you might have the issue. The upside is they dry quickly, are washable, and provide a lot of padding. They usually are fastened to themselves with velcro, so easy to attach.
@@rumblechick73, thank you for that idea. I’ve been trying to find a way to fix my backpack straps that rub between my arm pit and breast. I’m a chubby woman so I have lots of extra fat to rub against.
That makes much more sense. I misheard and thought it was a man asking about backpacking after a vasectomy, and I thought, "why are your backpack straps in your groin? Vasectomies heal fast, just wait a week."
My cheapo Casio watch is probably one of my favorite pieces of gear! I use it primarily for its hourly chime function. It is much easier to set-up than my iPhone. Since it is so easy for me to lose track of time on trail, that hourly chime reminds me to drink more water, eat, and start cold soaking meals.
No shame. No judgment. It can be hard to ask question for fear of looking stupid. Thank you Dixie for creating this video and continuing to help the backpacking and outdoors community. ☮️❤️🤝
As a rule of thumb when it comes to "stupid questions" a valuable lesson I learned countless years ago and it's done me well through the years, there's only 'one' stupid question, the one (s) not asked, after all isn't this the way we humans 'learn' from others who have 'been there done that.'
Lots of good advice - especially for beginners. I started using a backpacking bidet and find it very nice to use instead of using a lot of toilet paper. During my last backpacking trip I used maybe 1/4 of the toilet paper I would normally use. I learned a valuable lesson when I was 16 that one should never poop on a step hill. The "log" rolled right over my hand. My best friend who I was with almost died from laughter. He still kids me about it to this day - 50+ years later.
Re: Backpacking after mastectomy (this is my personal experience) I agree with the OR nurse. Listen to your body. Its a huge surgery and it will take you some time to adjust. I would recommend (if it's prophylactic) to wait until after the main backpacking season to get the surgery and use the off time to recover. Long term you will have no issues, but the first year you may have to take it easy and possibly troubleshoot your gear (like finding a comfortable bra). Also, scars can burn and turn a darker shade of pink I think so for best healing you're going to want to stay covered from sun exposure. On the plus side, I rarely wear a bra as I do not feel like my implants require it and I just hate feeling constricted so you might find that your new body has its perks too! Happy trails!
I did a thru-hike in 2017 a few years after receiving a defibrillator and pacemaker. I know it's not nearly as rough as a mastectomy, but just to let you know that I didn't have any problems with a big hunk of metal with wires going into my heart. Just give yourself time to heal and adjust your pack straps as needed. It may take some time but it's worth it!! Good luck!!
To whoever asked the peanut allergy question, yes it can be done. I'm allergic to all nuts and did 1200 miles of the PCT last year with no reactions on trail. Of course, everyone's threshold to trigger a reaction is unique, but that was my experience. I carried 2 Anapens and operated on the assumption that everyone else was eating nuts, therefore all communal food or utensils were probably contaminated. Meant I missed out on occasional shared food or drink options, but not often.
The host of the channel Tara Treks also mentions that she is allergic to peanuts and has done long thru hikes including the AT specifically. th-cam.com/video/muHIYSK-044/w-d-xo.html
I found education to other people is a must- I let people know! I am allergic to cinnamon (cloves and allspice) and if you are chewing cinnamon gum near me, my lips are already swelling. Any shared food and I ASK, loudly and clearly, if there are any ingredients that I should be wary of, and yes, it means missing out on shared food if I have any doubts (that damned word "spices" is my mystery trigger-I've called companies and confirmed they don't list cinnamon on the ingredient list, but it's there nevertheless, under the word spices). I ask to read ingredients, trusted chefs should be aware of cross confirmation. (don't allow someone to make cinnamon rolls in a frying pan and then just cook pancakes in it without washing it inbetween, etc.) I make my apologies for my own health sake, and eat separately. It means giving up a lot, but I tell people that I've been to the emergency room before because my mouth and throat were swelling, I don't care to repeat the experience. If I have to use Benedryl as an emergency antidote, I've got a migraine and my next day is complete shot. Most people understand and let me be the careful consumer of my own food. The assumption that all communal food or utensils were probably contaminated is a wise one. My experience is that once people know and care about you, they are checking for you, and protecting your health whenever possible. So hiking with the same people gives you better odds that someone else will catch your allergen before you do and head off danger if they can. (hey, they are cooking with something cinnamon, you might want to keep your distance.)
It's doable with allergies, takes extra planning, preparation, ongoing diligence. Know your comfort level for risk. Have a good allergy management plan, which may include carry two (or more) epinephrine auto-injectors. Keep them protected from extreme heat/freezing . 2+ epinephrine is because one is none, and none is dead. Carry a SOS device and know how to use it. Don't share foods. Don't trust anyone really knows what's in their food (yes the lack of awareness by others to what they made, brought, are eating is real). Only eat foods you bring, read label, or don't eat it. Say no new foods on the trail. Research where you will zero to see if you can eat the food - not just for your allergen, also because of the cross contact risk. When in doubt, don't eat out. Limit touching shared surfaces, wash hands after. If needed, stay in your own tent versus shared shelters. Tell others what you are allergic too, many people are genuine and look out for one another. Let others know your allergy emergency plan so they can help you when you are in distress.
Peanuts are not nuts, they are legumes, totally different thing, so I'd watch out for whatever advice you would give to someone when not understanding the differences between these two things.
She's saying she hasn't had every experience, such as in the mastectomy question. Recovering after a major surgery is such a personal experience. My mom had radiation burns on her breast and armpit after cancer removal, so how long that takes to heal and would accept a backpack straps is something that I wouldn't want to experience firsthand.
Other uses for the Garmin or similar "smart" watches: as you mention, the alarm function, flashlight, elevation, sunrise/sunset times, barometer (with storm alerts), compass, temperature, altitude acclimation status and other health-related functions. Most important to me on my Garmin Fenix is the ability to set specific alarms that go off to warn me when my heart rate and pulse ox numbers are getting out of whack (particularly when backpacking at high altitude). There are lots of additional "apps" and functionality in the Garmin watches these days that are really helpful. For me, the Garmin inReach is an emergency device. My watch is an everyday tool.
I am a breast cancer thrivor! 🙌🏽 I had a double mastectomy in May of 2022, and this summer am finally physically able to hit the trail again! It can be done! I’m hoping that traveling with a lighter pack will ease some of the stress in the shoulder/armpit area as I also had lymph node positive breast cancer so some lymph nodes were removed. And yes I agree that probably some tweaks to gear, or even custom gear could be of benefit 💕✨🥾
I wear a watch on trail partly to use as a sun compass. In the Northern Hemisphere, you point the hour hand toward the sun, and halfway between it and 12 is south; or, during Daylight Savings Time, halfway between the hour hand and 1 is South. In the Southern Hemisphere, use the same technique, but substitute North for South.
About the epinephrine, always carry 2. Also, if you have to use your epinephrine, you are not out of the woods(sic). You must seek medical treatment ASAP. It’s not like you take it and all is ok. Learned this the hard way a couple of years ago. Not fun.
Agree that the bidet is a good option. Been using one for a couple of years now. Takes care of the toilet paper issue as well as helping with “butt funk” 🙄 a little bit.
I had a double mastectomy and stayed flat. I skipped reconstruction because nothing about it gets me back outside being active. There's definitely a period of adjustment from getting your nerves used to your "new" body, your lymphatic system figured out (if you had some of those removed), to the hormonal changes. In my experience, there were healing milestones where the recovery all of a sudden got significantly easier. 6 weeks, 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years. I'm 3 years out and I've got my strength back, the weirdness of nerve re-growth is gone, the fatigue. I hope the woman who wants to backpack after preventative surgery is back at it.
I got stung 8 times in five events. The wasps lived in holes along trail side so I didn't notice them until I was stung. Then it was a race to get away from the nest. Fortunately, it only hurt for a while without a reaction to the sting. When asked what I feared the most, my response was stinging insects and gravity.
*Pack out your toilet paper*, even if you are allowed to bury!!! Paper takes a lot longer to break down, and trails usually see folks using the same areas. I hate digging up someone else's paper (even with dookie decomposed).
For people who've had mastectomies and for those who have some back issues or other structural issues, it would be worth checking out the Six Moon Designs Swift V backpack which comes with the option of adding on a vest style shoulder strap system. The wider vest design in lieu of traditional, narrower shoulder straps should help disperse pack weight and potential hot spot zones to the chest for people with any scarring or sensitivity in those areas. It may not work for everyone but may be just the thing for some. It was designed following the company's owner having had cancer, though I'm not sure if it was breast cancer. Regardless, please share this information with those who need it and who might benefit from it. As a thru hiker requiring some unique approaches to it, due to my own debilitating chronic health condition, I'm all about sharing any information that might help others in taking an adaptive approach. I want the trail and healing powers of nature to be accessible to anyone who desires the experience! Also, another consideration for choosing trail toothpaste is what ingredients are in it. Xylitol is used in many toothpastes these days, including in many "natural" pastes. It is extremely toxic to dogs- deadly, in fact, and therefore is likely toxic to other wildlife. Dogs and wolves have an exceptional sense of smell and can root out the faintest of odors left in toothpaste residue. I'm happy you suggested digging a hole to bury your toothpaste, which at least creates one more physical barrier that might prevent poisoning animals in their natural habitats. I make sure to choose natural tooth tablets and pastes that are Xylitol-free. And finally, another thru hiker in my tramliy on the IAT, did accidentally poop on his own pants one time when he was swatting away clouds of mosquitos while doing his business! So it's a valid concern from the person who sent in that question! Thanks Dixie!
Soap/hygiene...check out Aloevesta "body wash and shampoo" (vs. some of their other products.). Rinse not necessary... Which is nice when it's cold or you are short on water. I use a quarter teaspoon in 4 oz of water and wash off nightly. I find it safe for the nether-regions as well. An RN who worked with geriatrics and burn patients recommended it to me. Been using it for years.
Talk about pooping. Here is some mountain engineering. I make a "Cheek Spreader" when I need to go. A cheek spreader is two branches, 4-5 feet long, placed parallel about 3 inches apart, one end of parallel branches up on a log (or rock) and other end on the ground, creating around 30 degree angle. Sit on the parallel branches facing the dirt end and you have a normal sitting position like you are on a toilet. You go in between the branches. It is called a "Cheek Spreader" because when you sit on parallel branches, your body weight causes your cheeks to spread out. Recently, came up with "Cheek Spreader V2.0". I was at a shelter and someone had cut some firewood. Grabbed 2 pieces of firewood about 3-4 inches diameter and about 15 inches long, placed them parallel about 3 inches apart, then placed behind a tree. Dug a trench in between the 2 fire logs. Then I sat on the logs using tree as a backrest, logs keep my body above the trench and the cold wet ground. Very comfortable position to do my business.
I would love for you and Mama Doctor Jones (OBGYN) to do a video together about hygiene, undergarments, etc. on trail. She might also be able to give some suggestions on hiking after a mastectomy and things of that nature.
I wore a watch to give me a quick idea of how far I had walked. I tended to check quite often and it was much easier to just check my wrist quickly than to take my phone out or maneuver my garmin to check.
I tried a watch thinking it would save battery life from lighting up my phone every time I wanted to check the time. Ultimately couldn't find a good secure way to attach it to a shoulder strap, and I don't like it on my wrist, so I ditched it.
In general with getting rid of waste in the woods, there seem to be two contradictory theories: 1) Dilution and away from camp and trail & 2) Concentrate it so as not to spoil more wilderness. To that end, my partner and I tend to spit our toothpaste into fire pits when they exist at camp sites, then stir the fire pit/coals up. The assumption being that the fire pit already smells like human stuff and will get burned again anyway.... It's not perfect but there doesn't seem to be a perfect answer. We also use powdered toothpaste or toothpaste pills when backpacking, which are significantly less frothy and less scented than paste versions.
Well I'm a bow hunter not a hiker but I lurk on Dixie's channel for the low down on equipment and tactics if I have to sleep on the ground/ can't make it back to camp for what ever reason.. (I ride mules and sleep in a wall tent with a wood stove if it is cold but having a light weight set of gear in my backpack could literally be a life saver if things go far enough sideways.) I have always wanted to do the AT since I was a kid but I hunting will always be my first choice. If I ever do just a walk in the woods for fun and not to bring back food I want to have a pin that says Dixie Made Me Do It , This Is All Dixie's Fault, I Blame Dixie, Another Dixie Victim......etc. well I'm sure someone will come up with the right slogan but it has to give Dixie the credit due.
I carry an analog watch because the batteries last "forever" and at a pinch I can use it as a compass for navigating. Electronics die easily on trail, although the in-reach is fairly robust. But I'd never trust to just my phone! It's why I also take paper maps (whole or photocopied sections).
Not the same, but related to the mastectomy question. I needed a heart pacemaker but put it off for years, thinking it would end my backpacking due to interference with the shoulder strap. Then after I couldn't put it off any longer, I found that it wasn't a real problem. Some straps didn't lay on top of it, others I could pad with a rolled up sock or bandanna tied to the strap above the pacemaker and it didn't interfere. My cardiologist said that as long as it doesn't hurt I am OK. So I continue to hike and backpack, yay!
Dixie, as always, I love your subtle humor….telling how we backpackers have a hard time getting enough protein while showing your hand reaching for a lizard. Classic! I know it takes you a lot of thought and effort sneaking these little bits in but in my opinion, it really sets you apart from others. Hope our paths cross someday. Would love to share some trail-miles with you. When you did the CDT, we were a week apart in the San Juans. Last year when you did the Devil’s Thumb loop, I was walkin the ridge above you but didn’t know until I got home and saw your posting that you were there. Thanks much for all you do to encourage and educate others about the love and benefits of what we do. Your high-country yeonderin Colorado fan.
In regards to yellow jackets. Spent over 30 years hiking, camping, playing outside. Never once stung. First time I got stung was when a yellow jacket fell from the ceiling/light onto me at an indoor restaurant.
About backpacking after surgical procedures, here is my experience. I had my prostate removed in 2020. Two weeks after surgery I started walking short distances. Three weeks after surgery I started with a small day pack and added weight each day. One month after surgery I started a six day backpack trip and had no problems. My surgery was robotic, so had five small holes in me that healed fairly quick. I didn’t ask my doctor for permission but went slowly with the recovery efforts. Anyone after surgery should consult with their doctor before long hikes. Hope this helps. The hike I did was dropping down into Hells Canyon in Idaho, a drop deeper than the Grand Canyon.
Regarding the watch. I have not done any long distance backpacking, but whenever I travel I like to wear a "manual" watch that doesn't change with the time zones like the phone does. I keep it on "home" time so that I know what time it is at home. That way I know what time family members are getting my text or phone call.
Regarding backpacking after surgery: I had emergency open heart surgery after an accident during an outpatient procedure last June. I've only started carrying a pack again about 2 months ago and I think that could have been too soon for me. I go out a few times a week for day hikes and I have been having pain where they cracked me open. I'm planning on going on a short backpacking trip next weekend, then I'm probably going to switch hiking with a lumbar pack and stick to day hikes again until things have healed up a bit better. Kind of a bummer, because I had some plans for the summer, but hopefully I just need a couple more months of healing then I can get back at it.
You may experience set backs, but keep on truckin'. It may take awhile. Remember they cut you open so listen to your body. Good luck and enjoy the outdoors.
@@rodneyslattum379 Thanks. It's a long road to recovery and it isn't linear. I actually feel my best when I'm out there putting miles behind me, I just need to figure out a way to make that work with my upper body until it's ready.
Did you have to go from the pooping question STRAIGHT to the dripping peanut butter question? Brilliant segue, BTW. And a side note: referencing backpacking after a mastectomy, I had a bowel resection (a REALLY BIG part of my colon removed), and while I healed from the surgery in just a few weeks, it took a year to "recover" and for my remaining innards to "rearrange" and fill in the extra area. And while I still poop in the traditional way, the shorter colon means that my body "processes" the waste less efficiently... bring extra TP.
Yellowjackets can be an issue. They are more aggressive in the fall. Last fall on the MTS, I was stung 27 times when I stepped off the trail to sit on a log. They’re not usually an issue if you stay on the trail because of all the traffic. I was about 4 feet off the trail. I’ll always be sure to keep an eye out for them from now on! Not a pleasant experience!!
You can't just go anywhere and find someone discussing this stuff (thank goodness lol). Really important to keep in mind that human waste is dangerous to carry around. Make sure toilet paper is carried safely and separated by baggie etc. from contact with everything else. Gotta try the bidet. Thanks again.
🤣Bumping uglies... haven't heard that in forever. I've been camping for more than 50 years with a fair bit of what I guess is now called section hiking. I have to admit to hearing some incriminating noises coming from tents late at night. It was always at campgrounds with a largely day hiker, base camp population. The funniest ones were always the ones where one or both were shhhing the other saying, "you're making too much noise." The backpacking I've done I would have to misquote the popular line to, "Ain't nobody got energy for that." Plus as answered in one of your other questions, about staying umm fresh. You would have to be VERY, VERY attracted to someone for that to be overcome. I would tend to think that hooking up would be almost exclusively associated with town days with a hotel, shower and privacy. That said I did come across a very embarrassed looking couple coming out of some trees and embarrased smiling with extremely self incriminating looks giving away that they had been up to something fun.
A friend of mine touring through Laos and Cambodia was in a hostel. During the day there was a middle aged British couple that decided to do the nasty when he was in the open shared bedroom. Disgusted, my friend let out the loudest, nastiest fart he could. The couple looked at him, offended, then he walked out. 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks!. you’ve done a very good job bringing help to so many people that are beginning backpacking, including myself. I heard your description of sensitivity/rash and thought I would contact you to explain. I am a board-certified neurologist, living in Panama City Florida. I enjoy solving difficult cases when I heard your description of light sensitivity I looked it up and discussed it with SLE patients, I believe the issue with light coming through the windshield is a phenomena secondary to systemic lupus, erythematous. Another patient reported that she had the same problem when she put her arm out the window while driving. I saw the rash on your legs and it is my opinion that also is secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus. I will get back with you on the sleep apnea. It is odd that you would have obstructive sleep apnea unless there’s some upper airway obstruction issue which would need an ear nose and throat scope to discern. If it is central sleep apnea (the kind that comes because of a neurological condition) when we have to question whether SLE is associated.
Never pooped on my pants while squatting. Pee, yes. For either one I grab my pants and pull forward. For peeing, wider stance is needed. Also so the pee doesn't spread to your shoes.
The best poop was off of driftwood on a beach at sunset. Yeah, I know, too close to the water, but anywhere in the trees and the skeeters and flies would have eaten my butt off! Pyrethrin wouldn't even stop those skeeters! Getting into the car brought a good hundred in with me!
About the wearing of a watch: about 50 years ago when I was in Boy Scouts my Troup leader taught us a way by which to determine which way is North by pointing the hour hand at the sun and then looking to see which way the minute hand will be pointed at the top of the hour
Funny: I interpreted the pack size question the other way: Measure C7 to top of Iliac Crest. Add up to two inches if plan to carry heavy. Pack Volume: It's hard to have too much volume for your first pack. Focus on carry comfort; that is much more important. 65 liters is a good guess for your first pack; although I actually wished for larger. After some experience you will learn what works best for you.
Regarding glutes and hiking, I've hiked thousands of miles and bagged hundreds of peaks. When I had to go to physical therapy the therapist said my glutes were so weak that my body had quit using them, and getting them to engage was one of the primary goals of my therapy. Your results may vary. Regarding teeth brushing, I use baking soda and swallow it. Not as bad as is sounds, there's no spitting, and my mouth feels remarkably fresh after.
So tired of women thinking they need a giant fat butt. Sorry, but a small nice butt looks better. Quit listening to black guys, they have screwed up the way you see your body.....
For the watch question, I like to have a watch if I'm hiking near a time zone boundary. May not be an issue for Garmin's or if your phone is in airplane mode, but I've definitely gotten home much later than expected from a day hike thanks to my phone picking up signal from a different time zone. 😊
Perhaps bringing an ultralight backpacking chair like helinox would be a good option if you are nervous about sitting at picknick tables due to a peanut allergy.
My ultralight chair has become a must-have comfort device. I have an injured lower back, and after a long day of hiking, sitting only on the ground is a bit rough. The added weight is absolutely worth it!
I took a backpacking and rock climbing class in college. Late 80s in the central valley of California. We always just buried the toilet paper. As for cotton, it was all I had, so that what I wore... Wranglers and a tee shirt. We learned about wool and nylon. But I grew up on a small dairy farm and we needed clothes that were tough. The trips we took were only a few days. Also, I used cheap army surplus Vietnam style combat boots (that's what we called them). I couldn't afford much back then and we used them for hunting also. I have had many different styles since. Nothing is as good as they were, even my $200 Danner hunting/ hiking boots.
I didn’t have a mastectomy but I did have a herniated disc that required surgery. I’m currently fashioning my own pack that I carry on my legs. I’m also going ultralight. It’s different and a little weird but I refuse to give up backpacking as well.
Re undergarments, i either use nothing under or using a Speedo. That helped especially with hiking with women and there is a heavy duty river crossing.
When hiking I use only clothes made of Merino Wool - it keeps me comfortable, is extremly lightweight and needs very few room - and needs long time to get stinky and is easy to wash and dries extremly quickly
Wow... What an incredible journey. 👏 🎉❤🍻 The ending brought tears of joy and happiness to my eyes for you. Not sure if it was the perfect choice of music as a FT curtain call, the obstacles you overcame, or the bond thru hikers have for the amazing respect for the trail and wilderness. I enjoyed every episode, even your short break up to the AT. Great Job Kelly!
The cotton question is interesting. When I was younger I could walk all day with no issues, never thinking about what clothes I had on or undies. Nowadays the chaffing can occur so quickly that it is the first thing I think about when getting ready and I'm only two sizes bigger overall than I was at 18 years of age.
On a weekend in the desert used a wide mouthed plastic bottle to spit in after brushing my teeth. I made sure not to breath in when I opened it up to do so but definitely left less trace
Regarding undies for hiking, I prefer merino. They are more expensive but last a long time and (supposedly) have less stink than synthetic. (I do wear cotton for daily wear and save the expensive merino for hiking.) I have done an experiment with day hiking in cotton undies vs. merino undies and the cotton was much less comfortable. The Branwyn merino undies are great quality and stay in place -- I tried the Ex Officio synthetic undies and they just kept sliding off my derriere!
On pack size, first be sure the torso frame fits you. When I was younger, I always wanted the size L for the larger volume capacity. Once I went down to a size M - loosing some volume - the pack fit so much better. You can always get by with less (though it may not seem like it). A more comfortable, proper fitting, pack is a much better benefit than more volume.
From a perspective of soil ecology and water quality, it would be better to bury the toilet paper along with a couple handfulls of leavs and twigs The carbohydrates in the form of lignins in the paper and wood will adsorb nutrients in the waste. This keeps them safer within the topsoil and eventually available to plants. This also keeps the nutrients out of the aquifer.
For many folks that don’t know, an analog watch is a very useful item to have while on trail or just out and about. With a little practice and homework you can navigate day or night with an analog watch. Just like a compass. I will say, that if you learn how to use a sundial, its more accurate than most compasses for determining direction. (Daytime) of course. Happy Hiking 👍🏻
one reason to wear a watch, specifically with analogue hands. is that can double as a compas on sunny days. all you need is a small stick to cast a shadow
Regarding wristwatches: I do not hike, although I have camped some in the past. I have two mechanical watches with tritium glow tubes. If I were hiking, I would take one with me. As _rare_ as it might occur, electronics can fail. A wind-up wristwatch, unless it is damaged, will just _keep on truckin'._
When I do a particularly sudden/strenuous weekend backpack - with lots of Uphill - I mostly get initial complaints from my piriformis (lateral, pear-shaped) muscles in my upper butt. But I remember, one time: My legs just went Off On Their Own, Eating Up the Topography, like on Auto-pilot. It was Amazing.
That transition from pooping to peanut butter had me laughing. No way that was accidental lol
I was like wait is that pb or did she just really ruin that wrap.
Oh thank goodness someone else was thinking the same thing. If it was accidental, maybe a different question was in order for the second part of the video. 😂
A squirty one.
😂😂😂😂 I was thinking the same
I laughed and hoped I wasn’t the only one to catch that 😂
Haha, that poop to peanut butter transition, priceless.
My favourite deuce dropping trick is to dig the cat hole close to a tree on its uphill side. Then you can lean your back against said tree & move your heels uphill of the drop zone. You might just be fertilizing that tree & it’s less likely others will be walking there too. (unless they use the same trick & the same tree)
I do this too! I recommend this for older backpackers especially.
@@DumpTrump4TRE45ON older = wiser
Solid trees are your friend. Just don't grab a bendy tree. Also, trees can have poison ivy, so check closely for vines growing up the tree before grabbing or leaning. If you are flexible enough to do deeper squats, I usually found that not dropping your drawers too far and squatting to where your butt is below your shorts is fairly fool proof if you can keep your feet spread and not too far back. But that requires some flexibility, strength and balance (the tree).
That was a glorious transition! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
The only logistical problem: The closer to (some) standing trees, the more - and thicker - roots/rootlets you have to dig through.
If you can find two fallen trees, you can brace/counterbalance, hanging your "delivery system" over the excavated "drop zone".
For the young lady asking about post-mastectomy hiking, it is absolutely possible without discomfort. I would be glad to answer any questions if she wants to reach out privately. But you will not have to give up your passion. 💕
Same thing if you have a lung removed. I had 3 lobes of lung removed and I gave myself a few months of just walking before I got back to backpacking. Don't give up your passion. You have to get used to "the new normal".
@@DumpTrump4TRE45ON One item to check out if you're finding pressure points uncomfortable is in the automotive section...look for the lamb's wool pieces that you get to wrap around a seat belt that rubs too much. Put them on your straps where you might have the issue. The upside is they dry quickly, are washable, and provide a lot of padding. They usually are fastened to themselves with velcro, so easy to attach.
I treated mastectomy patients at a medical cannabis dispensary and was told that topical THC/CBD rubs were life changing.
@@rumblechick73, thank you for that idea. I’ve been trying to find a way to fix my backpack straps that rub between my arm pit and breast. I’m a chubby woman so I have lots of extra fat to rub against.
That makes much more sense. I misheard and thought it was a man asking about backpacking after a vasectomy, and I thought, "why are your backpack straps in your groin? Vasectomies heal fast, just wait a week."
My cheapo Casio watch is probably one of my favorite pieces of gear! I use it primarily for its hourly chime function. It is much easier to set-up than my iPhone. Since it is so easy for me to lose track of time on trail, that hourly chime reminds me to drink more water, eat, and start cold soaking meals.
Big thanks to showing that dripping peanut butter while talking about pooping.
Your ability to be vulnerable and honest in the pursuit of service to your community is unique and extremely valuable. Please never lose that ability.
No shame. No judgment. It can be hard to ask question for fear of looking stupid. Thank you Dixie for creating this video and continuing to help the backpacking and outdoors community. ☮️❤️🤝
As a rule of thumb when it comes to "stupid questions" a valuable lesson I learned countless years ago and it's done me well through the years, there's only 'one' stupid question, the one (s) not asked, after all isn't this the way we humans 'learn' from others who have 'been there done that.'
Lots of good advice - especially for beginners. I started using a backpacking bidet and find it very nice to use instead of using a lot of toilet paper. During my last backpacking trip I used maybe 1/4 of the toilet paper I would normally use. I learned a valuable lesson when I was 16 that one should never poop on a step hill. The "log" rolled right over my hand. My best friend who I was with almost died from laughter. He still kids me about it to this day - 50+ years later.
Re: Backpacking after mastectomy (this is my personal experience) I agree with the OR nurse. Listen to your body. Its a huge surgery and it will take you some time to adjust. I would recommend (if it's prophylactic) to wait until after the main backpacking season to get the surgery and use the off time to recover. Long term you will have no issues, but the first year you may have to take it easy and possibly troubleshoot your gear (like finding a comfortable bra). Also, scars can burn and turn a darker shade of pink I think so for best healing you're going to want to stay covered from sun exposure. On the plus side, I rarely wear a bra as I do not feel like my implants require it and I just hate feeling constricted so you might find that your new body has its perks too! Happy trails!
I did a thru-hike in 2017 a few years after receiving a defibrillator and pacemaker. I know it's not nearly as rough as a mastectomy, but just to let you know that I didn't have any problems with a big hunk of metal with wires going into my heart. Just give yourself time to heal and adjust your pack straps as needed. It may take some time but it's worth it!!
Good luck!!
Go with merino wool undies! Super comfy, insulate even if damp, and are naturally anti-microbial (less stinky).
As a fellow alabamian thank you for saying britches to the world. All the Young folks at work laugh at me for it lol
Some of us in WV say britches, too! :D
Try saying breeches instead.
It's so bad 😬
We rock britches in GA!❤
MS here. Common word here as well😂
Dixie, you're the best. I'm a solo male hiker, and you have provided good advice and honest opinions. Really appreciate the great work you do.
To whoever asked the peanut allergy question, yes it can be done. I'm allergic to all nuts and did 1200 miles of the PCT last year with no reactions on trail. Of course, everyone's threshold to trigger a reaction is unique, but that was my experience.
I carried 2 Anapens and operated on the assumption that everyone else was eating nuts, therefore all communal food or utensils were probably contaminated. Meant I missed out on occasional shared food or drink options, but not often.
The host of the channel Tara Treks also mentions that she is allergic to peanuts and has done long thru hikes including the AT specifically. th-cam.com/video/muHIYSK-044/w-d-xo.html
thank you for the motivation
I found education to other people is a must- I let people know! I am allergic to cinnamon (cloves and allspice) and if you are chewing cinnamon gum near me, my lips are already swelling. Any shared food and I ASK, loudly and clearly, if there are any ingredients that I should be wary of, and yes, it means missing out on shared food if I have any doubts (that damned word "spices" is my mystery trigger-I've called companies and confirmed they don't list cinnamon on the ingredient list, but it's there nevertheless, under the word spices). I ask to read ingredients, trusted chefs should be aware of cross confirmation. (don't allow someone to make cinnamon rolls in a frying pan and then just cook pancakes in it without washing it inbetween, etc.) I make my apologies for my own health sake, and eat separately. It means giving up a lot, but I tell people that I've been to the emergency room before because my mouth and throat were swelling, I don't care to repeat the experience. If I have to use Benedryl as an emergency antidote, I've got a migraine and my next day is complete shot. Most people understand and let me be the careful consumer of my own food. The assumption that all communal food or utensils were probably contaminated is a wise one. My experience is that once people know and care about you, they are checking for you, and protecting your health whenever possible. So hiking with the same people gives you better odds that someone else will catch your allergen before you do and head off danger if they can. (hey, they are cooking with something cinnamon, you might want to keep your distance.)
It's doable with allergies, takes extra planning, preparation, ongoing diligence. Know your comfort level for risk. Have a good allergy management plan, which may include carry two (or more) epinephrine auto-injectors. Keep them protected from extreme heat/freezing . 2+ epinephrine is because one is none, and none is dead. Carry a SOS device and know how to use it. Don't share foods. Don't trust anyone really knows what's in their food (yes the lack of awareness by others to what they made, brought, are eating is real). Only eat foods you bring, read label, or don't eat it. Say no new foods on the trail. Research where you will zero to see if you can eat the food - not just for your allergen, also because of the cross contact risk. When in doubt, don't eat out. Limit touching shared surfaces, wash hands after. If needed, stay in your own tent versus shared shelters. Tell others what you are allergic too, many people are genuine and look out for one another. Let others know your allergy emergency plan so they can help you when you are in distress.
Peanuts are not nuts, they are legumes, totally different thing, so I'd watch out for whatever advice you would give to someone when not understanding the differences between these two things.
“my limited experience”
says Dixie. Gee, what more experience can anyone have.
She's saying she hasn't had every experience, such as in the mastectomy question. Recovering after a major surgery is such a personal experience. My mom had radiation burns on her breast and armpit after cancer removal, so how long that takes to heal and would accept a backpack straps is something that I wouldn't want to experience firsthand.
The way you transitioned from pooping to peanut butter was sheer artistry. 👏
"Ain't nobody wanna be hearing all that"
This is why we love you.
"a lot of hikers struggle with getting enough protein on trail" to clip of failed attempt to catch small lizard. You are funny, girl!
Switching to the peanut butter squeezing on to the taco while still in the pooping narrative. 😂. Genius.
Britches...true southern girl and we don't use that word near enough anymore!
I'm not southern and it was always Britches
Other uses for the Garmin or similar "smart" watches: as you mention, the alarm function, flashlight, elevation, sunrise/sunset times, barometer (with storm alerts), compass, temperature, altitude acclimation status and other health-related functions. Most important to me on my Garmin Fenix is the ability to set specific alarms that go off to warn me when my heart rate and pulse ox numbers are getting out of whack (particularly when backpacking at high altitude). There are lots of additional "apps" and functionality in the Garmin watches these days that are really helpful. For me, the Garmin inReach is an emergency device. My watch is an everyday tool.
I am a breast cancer thrivor! 🙌🏽 I had a double mastectomy in May of 2022, and this summer am finally physically able to hit the trail again! It can be done! I’m hoping that traveling with a lighter pack will ease some of the stress in the shoulder/armpit area as I also had lymph node positive breast cancer so some lymph nodes were removed. And yes I agree that probably some tweaks to gear, or even custom gear could be of benefit 💕✨🥾
I wear a watch on trail partly to use as a sun compass. In the Northern Hemisphere, you point the hour hand toward the sun, and halfway between it and 12 is south; or, during Daylight Savings Time, halfway between the hour hand and 1 is South. In the Southern Hemisphere, use the same technique, but substitute North for South.
This is my first time seeing your videos- I love how you talk about really sensitive topics with such grace !
Most entertaining Q&A I have seen on TH-cam.
You had me at "Bumpin Uglies". Wahahaha!
About the epinephrine, always carry 2. Also, if you have to use your epinephrine, you are not out of the woods(sic). You must seek medical treatment ASAP. It’s not like you take it and all is ok. Learned this the hard way a couple of years ago. Not fun.
The peanut butter dripping was great timing for both those questions 🤣🤣 nice
Agree that the bidet is a good option. Been using one for a couple of years now. Takes care of the toilet paper issue as well as helping with “butt funk” 🙄 a little bit.
There’s no stupid questions. It’s better to find out before you do something stupid that could danger you or someone else.
1:20…oh thank god you’d changed the subject to peanut butter, I thought it was a demonstration for a second :)
Me too.
🤣
My first thought was bad poop day...
I had a double mastectomy and stayed flat. I skipped reconstruction because nothing about it gets me back outside being active. There's definitely a period of adjustment from getting your nerves used to your "new" body, your lymphatic system figured out (if you had some of those removed), to the hormonal changes. In my experience, there were healing milestones where the recovery all of a sudden got significantly easier. 6 weeks, 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years. I'm 3 years out and I've got my strength back, the weirdness of nerve re-growth is gone, the fatigue. I hope the woman who wants to backpack after preventative surgery is back at it.
I got stung 8 times in five events. The wasps lived in holes along trail side so I didn't notice them until I was stung. Then it was a race to get away from the nest. Fortunately, it only hurt for a while without a reaction to the sting. When asked what I feared the most, my response was stinging insects and gravity.
A buddy with me swung his poles outward while turning around & stirred up a bees nest - he got stung multiple times luckily I did not.
Gravity? I'm guessing you mean falling/hitting the ground, otherwise, I've got news for you!
*Pack out your toilet paper*, even if you are allowed to bury!!! Paper takes a lot longer to break down, and trails usually see folks using the same areas. I hate digging up someone else's paper (even with dookie decomposed).
For people who've had mastectomies and for those who have some back issues or other structural issues, it would be worth checking out the Six Moon Designs Swift V backpack which comes with the option of adding on a vest style shoulder strap system. The wider vest design in lieu of traditional, narrower shoulder straps should help disperse pack weight and potential hot spot zones to the chest for people with any scarring or sensitivity in those areas. It may not work for everyone but may be just the thing for some. It was designed following the company's owner having had cancer, though I'm not sure if it was breast cancer. Regardless, please share this information with those who need it and who might benefit from it. As a thru hiker requiring some unique approaches to it, due to my own debilitating chronic health condition, I'm all about sharing any information that might help others in taking an adaptive approach. I want the trail and healing powers of nature to be accessible to anyone who desires the experience!
Also, another consideration for choosing trail toothpaste is what ingredients are in it. Xylitol is used in many toothpastes these days, including in many "natural" pastes. It is extremely toxic to dogs- deadly, in fact, and therefore is likely toxic to other wildlife. Dogs and wolves have an exceptional sense of smell and can root out the faintest of odors left in toothpaste residue. I'm happy you suggested digging a hole to bury your toothpaste, which at least creates one more physical barrier that might prevent poisoning animals in their natural habitats. I make sure to choose natural tooth tablets and pastes that are Xylitol-free.
And finally, another thru hiker in my tramliy on the IAT, did accidentally poop on his own pants one time when he was swatting away clouds of mosquitos while doing his business! So it's a valid concern from the person who sent in that question!
Thanks Dixie!
Soap/hygiene...check out Aloevesta "body wash and shampoo" (vs. some of their other products.). Rinse not necessary... Which is nice when it's cold or you are short on water. I use a quarter teaspoon in 4 oz of water and wash off nightly. I find it safe for the nether-regions as well. An RN who worked with geriatrics and burn patients recommended it to me. Been using it for years.
Thank you, Dixie! You’ve created such a lovely community.
Dixie, there’s GOOD advice and there’s PERFECT advice … and you are simply Perfect
I now use bamboo undies and socks. Natural and quick drying, though not as quick as synthetics.
Thanks, for being so candid in your videos. It really is very helpful.
Talk about pooping. Here is some mountain engineering. I make a "Cheek Spreader" when I need to go. A cheek spreader is two branches, 4-5 feet long, placed parallel about 3 inches apart, one end of parallel branches up on a log (or rock) and other end on the ground, creating around 30 degree angle. Sit on the parallel branches facing the dirt end and you have a normal sitting position like you are on a toilet. You go in between the branches. It is called a "Cheek Spreader" because when you sit on parallel branches, your body weight causes your cheeks to spread out.
Recently, came up with "Cheek Spreader V2.0". I was at a shelter and someone had cut some firewood. Grabbed 2 pieces of firewood about 3-4 inches diameter and about 15 inches long, placed them parallel about 3 inches apart, then placed behind a tree. Dug a trench in between the 2 fire logs. Then I sat on the logs using tree as a backrest, logs keep my body above the trench and the cold wet ground. Very comfortable position to do my business.
I would love for you and Mama Doctor Jones (OBGYN) to do a video together about hygiene, undergarments, etc. on trail. She might also be able to give some suggestions on hiking after a mastectomy and things of that nature.
Awww...MDJ! I love her!
I wore a watch to give me a quick idea of how far I had walked. I tended to check quite often and it was much easier to just check my wrist quickly than to take my phone out or maneuver my garmin to check.
As an older person, I'm just used to checking my wrist for my watch. Sheer habit.
I tried a watch thinking it would save battery life from lighting up my phone every time I wanted to check the time. Ultimately couldn't find a good secure way to attach it to a shoulder strap, and I don't like it on my wrist, so I ditched it.
I always enjoy an episode of "silly questions"! 😂
In general with getting rid of waste in the woods, there seem to be two contradictory theories: 1) Dilution and away from camp and trail & 2) Concentrate it so as not to spoil more wilderness.
To that end, my partner and I tend to spit our toothpaste into fire pits when they exist at camp sites, then stir the fire pit/coals up. The assumption being that the fire pit already smells like human stuff and will get burned again anyway.... It's not perfect but there doesn't seem to be a perfect answer.
We also use powdered toothpaste or toothpaste pills when backpacking, which are significantly less frothy and less scented than paste versions.
I keep my toothpowder well away from my foot kit lol, minty feet are okay but talc doesn't do anything up top :-D
01:20 The shot of peanut butter oozing out just as Dixie was finishing up the topic of pooping just kinda put me off my dinner, I’m afraid! 😳
😂 ha ha ha! I went and made myself a peanut butter and honey wrap 😂
I figured she had to have put it in there on purpose. It was hilarious.
The lizard protein visual and the cows! I love the comedic visual clips! 😂
Well I'm a bow hunter not a hiker but I lurk on Dixie's channel for the low down on equipment and tactics if I have to sleep on the ground/ can't make it back to camp for what ever reason..
(I ride mules and sleep in a wall tent with a wood stove if it is cold but having a light weight set of gear in my backpack could literally be a life saver if things go far enough sideways.)
I have always wanted to do the AT since I was a kid but I hunting will always be my first choice.
If I ever do just a walk in the woods for fun and not to bring back food I want to have a pin that says Dixie Made Me Do It , This Is All Dixie's Fault, I Blame Dixie, Another Dixie Victim......etc. well I'm sure someone will come up with the right slogan but it has to give Dixie the credit due.
"Hey this ain't no time for humpin'! That's probably your mama" imagine saying this to those exhibitionists 😂 great info as always!!
I carry an analog watch because the batteries last "forever" and at a pinch I can use it as a compass for navigating. Electronics die easily on trail, although the in-reach is fairly robust. But I'd never trust to just my phone! It's why I also take paper maps (whole or photocopied sections).
The video for the peanut butter segment overlapping with the audio for the poop segment is comedy gold. Thank you for making my day.
Not the same, but related to the mastectomy question. I needed a heart pacemaker but put it off for years, thinking it would end my backpacking due to interference with the shoulder strap. Then after I couldn't put it off any longer, I found that it wasn't a real problem. Some straps didn't lay on top of it, others I could pad with a rolled up sock or bandanna tied to the strap above the pacemaker and it didn't interfere. My cardiologist said that as long as it doesn't hurt I am OK. So I continue to hike and backpack, yay!
Dixie, as always, I love your subtle humor….telling how we backpackers have a hard time getting enough protein while showing your hand reaching for a lizard. Classic! I know it takes you a lot of thought and effort sneaking these little bits in but in my opinion, it really sets you apart from others.
Hope our paths cross someday. Would love to share some trail-miles with you. When you did the CDT, we were a week apart in the San Juans. Last year when you did the Devil’s Thumb loop, I was walkin the ridge above you but didn’t know until I got home and saw your posting that you were there.
Thanks much for all you do to encourage and educate others about the love and benefits of what we do. Your high-country yeonderin Colorado fan.
In regards to yellow jackets. Spent over 30 years hiking, camping, playing outside. Never once stung. First time I got stung was when a yellow jacket fell from the ceiling/light onto me at an indoor restaurant.
About backpacking after surgical procedures, here is my experience. I had my prostate removed in 2020. Two weeks after surgery I started walking short distances. Three weeks after surgery I started with a small day pack and added weight each day. One month after surgery I started a six day backpack trip and had no problems. My surgery was robotic, so had five small holes in me that healed fairly quick. I didn’t ask my doctor for permission but went slowly with the recovery efforts. Anyone after surgery should consult with their doctor before long hikes. Hope this helps. The hike I did was dropping down into Hells Canyon in Idaho, a drop deeper than the Grand Canyon.
For the breast cancer question, look into the backpacks that incorporate a vest style system instead of shoulder straps.
Regarding the watch. I have not done any long distance backpacking, but whenever I travel I like to wear a "manual" watch that doesn't change with the time zones like the phone does. I keep it on "home" time so that I know what time it is at home. That way I know what time family members are getting my text or phone call.
Regarding backpacking after surgery: I had emergency open heart surgery after an accident during an outpatient procedure last June. I've only started carrying a pack again about 2 months ago and I think that could have been too soon for me. I go out a few times a week for day hikes and I have been having pain where they cracked me open. I'm planning on going on a short backpacking trip next weekend, then I'm probably going to switch hiking with a lumbar pack and stick to day hikes again until things have healed up a bit better. Kind of a bummer, because I had some plans for the summer, but hopefully I just need a couple more months of healing then I can get back at it.
You may experience set backs, but keep on truckin'. It may take awhile. Remember they cut you open so listen to your body. Good luck and enjoy the outdoors.
@@rodneyslattum379 Thanks. It's a long road to recovery and it isn't linear. I actually feel my best when I'm out there putting miles behind me, I just need to figure out a way to make that work with my upper body until it's ready.
Did you have to go from the pooping question STRAIGHT to the dripping peanut butter question? Brilliant segue, BTW.
And a side note: referencing backpacking after a mastectomy, I had a bowel resection (a REALLY BIG part of my colon removed), and while I healed from the surgery in just a few weeks, it took a year to "recover" and for my remaining innards to "rearrange" and fill in the extra area. And while I still poop in the traditional way, the shorter colon means that my body "processes" the waste less efficiently... bring extra TP.
* leans in*. I just love a good poop story.
Although I've hiked the AT, I usually learn new things from you. Awesome advice for newbies as well as non newbies. You're the best.
Yellowjackets can be an issue. They are more aggressive in the fall. Last fall on the MTS, I was stung 27 times when I stepped off the trail to sit on a log. They’re not usually an issue if you stay on the trail because of all the traffic. I was about 4 feet off the trail. I’ll always be sure to keep an eye out for them from now on! Not a pleasant experience!!
You can't just go anywhere and find someone discussing this stuff (thank goodness lol). Really important to keep in mind that human waste is dangerous to carry around. Make sure toilet paper is carried safely and separated by baggie etc. from contact with everything else. Gotta try the bidet. Thanks again.
😂 editing the PB shot into the end of the poop talk made me laugh sooooo hard!
🤣Bumping uglies... haven't heard that in forever. I've been camping for more than 50 years with a fair bit of what I guess is now called section hiking. I have to admit to hearing some incriminating noises coming from tents late at night. It was always at campgrounds with a largely day hiker, base camp population. The funniest ones were always the ones where one or both were shhhing the other saying, "you're making too much noise." The backpacking I've done I would have to misquote the popular line to, "Ain't nobody got energy for that." Plus as answered in one of your other questions, about staying umm fresh. You would have to be VERY, VERY attracted to someone for that to be overcome. I would tend to think that hooking up would be almost exclusively associated with town days with a hotel, shower and privacy. That said I did come across a very embarrassed looking couple coming out of some trees and embarrased smiling with extremely self incriminating looks giving away that they had been up to something fun.
A friend of mine touring through Laos and Cambodia was in a hostel. During the day there was a middle aged British couple that decided to do the nasty when he was in the open shared bedroom.
Disgusted, my friend let out the loudest, nastiest fart he could. The couple looked at him, offended, then he walked out. 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks!. you’ve done a very good job bringing help to so many people that are beginning backpacking, including myself.
I heard your description of sensitivity/rash and thought I would contact you to explain. I am a board-certified neurologist, living in Panama City Florida. I enjoy solving difficult cases when I heard your description of light sensitivity I looked it up and discussed it with SLE patients, I believe the issue with light coming through the windshield is a phenomena secondary to systemic lupus, erythematous. Another patient reported that she had the same problem when she put her arm out the window while driving. I saw the rash on your legs and it is my opinion that also is secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus. I will get back with you on the sleep apnea. It is odd that you would have obstructive sleep apnea unless there’s some upper airway obstruction issue which would need an ear nose and throat scope to discern. If it is central sleep apnea (the kind that comes because of a neurological condition) when we have to question whether SLE is associated.
Never pooped on my pants while squatting. Pee, yes. For either one I grab my pants and pull forward. For peeing, wider stance is needed. Also so the pee doesn't spread to your shoes.
The peanut butter transition was well played.
The best poop was off of driftwood on a beach at sunset. Yeah, I know, too close to the water, but anywhere in the trees and the skeeters and flies would have eaten my butt off! Pyrethrin wouldn't even stop those skeeters! Getting into the car brought a good hundred in with me!
The thing about "burying" tp along with deposits.... it's gross but little critters tend to dig up for a snack and the tp ends up visible and yucky.
About the wearing of a watch: about 50 years ago when I was in Boy Scouts my Troup leader taught us a way by which to determine which way is North by pointing the hour hand at the sun and then looking to see which way the minute hand will be pointed at the top of the hour
10:27 “…. that’s probably your mama….”
You are amazing! I was laughing so hard that my son came to find out what was happening!!!
Funny: I interpreted the pack size question the other way:
Measure C7 to top of Iliac Crest.
Add up to two inches if plan to carry heavy.
Pack Volume: It's hard to have too much volume for your first pack. Focus on carry comfort; that is much more important. 65 liters is a good guess for your first pack; although I actually wished for larger.
After some experience you will learn what works best for you.
Regarding glutes and hiking, I've hiked thousands of miles and bagged hundreds of peaks. When I had to go to physical therapy the therapist said my glutes were so weak that my body had quit using them, and getting them to engage was one of the primary goals of my therapy. Your results may vary.
Regarding teeth brushing, I use baking soda and swallow it. Not as bad as is sounds, there's no spitting, and my mouth feels remarkably fresh after.
So tired of women thinking they need a giant fat butt. Sorry, but a small nice butt looks better. Quit listening to black guys, they have screwed up the way you see your body.....
For the watch question, I like to have a watch if I'm hiking near a time zone boundary. May not be an issue for Garmin's or if your phone is in airplane mode, but I've definitely gotten home much later than expected from a day hike thanks to my phone picking up signal from a different time zone. 😊
Perhaps bringing an ultralight backpacking chair like helinox would be a good option if you are nervous about sitting at picknick tables due to a peanut allergy.
hammock chair from Dutch is a pretty nice seat too.
My ultralight chair has become a must-have comfort device. I have an injured lower back, and after a long day of hiking, sitting only on the ground is a bit rough.
The added weight is absolutely worth it!
OMG, the transition from the question about pooping to the peanut butter dripping into a pile...before mentioning anything about peanuts. 🤣
I took a backpacking and rock climbing class in college. Late 80s in the central valley of California. We always just buried the toilet paper. As for cotton, it was all I had, so that what I wore... Wranglers and a tee shirt. We learned about wool and nylon. But I grew up on a small dairy farm and we needed clothes that were tough. The trips we took were only a few days. Also, I used cheap army surplus Vietnam style combat boots (that's what we called them). I couldn't afford much back then and we used them for hunting also. I have had many different styles since. Nothing is as good as they were, even my $200 Danner hunting/ hiking boots.
i grew glutes just after starting a restaurant job with stairs.... but yes having access to health food is key
The poop->peanut butter visual segue is the best one I've seen this month.
Well now that poop to peanut butter transition was just priceless. Good for you for calling out the exhibitionists.
I didn’t have a mastectomy but I did have a herniated disc that required surgery. I’m currently fashioning my own pack that I carry on my legs. I’m also going ultralight. It’s different and a little weird but I refuse to give up backpacking as well.
Re undergarments, i either use nothing under or using a Speedo. That helped especially with hiking with women and there is a heavy duty river crossing.
That transition between the poop talk and the scene of that goop was great. Nasty girl lol😅
Thanks for the answer to my question… honestly shocked it hasn’t happened more! 😉 as always love the content!
When hiking I use only clothes made of Merino Wool - it keeps me comfortable, is extremly lightweight and needs very few room - and needs long time to get stinky and is easy to wash and dries extremly quickly
Wow... What an incredible journey. 👏 🎉❤🍻
The ending brought tears of joy and happiness to my eyes for you. Not sure if it was the perfect choice of music as a FT curtain call, the obstacles you overcame, or the bond thru hikers have for the amazing respect for the trail and wilderness. I enjoyed every episode, even your short break up to the AT. Great Job Kelly!
The cotton question is interesting. When I was younger I could walk all day with no issues, never thinking about what clothes I had on or undies. Nowadays the chaffing can occur so quickly that it is the first thing I think about when getting ready and I'm only two sizes bigger overall than I was at 18 years of age.
On a weekend in the desert used a wide mouthed plastic bottle to spit in after brushing my teeth. I made sure not to breath in when I opened it up to do so but definitely left less trace
Regarding undies for hiking, I prefer merino. They are more expensive but last a long time and (supposedly) have less stink than synthetic. (I do wear cotton for daily wear and save the expensive merino for hiking.) I have done an experiment with day hiking in cotton undies vs. merino undies and the cotton was much less comfortable. The Branwyn merino undies are great quality and stay in place -- I tried the Ex Officio synthetic undies and they just kept sliding off my derriere!
On pack size, first be sure the torso frame fits you. When I was younger, I always wanted the size L for the larger volume capacity. Once I went down to a size M - loosing some volume - the pack fit so much better. You can always get by with less (though it may not seem like it). A more comfortable, proper fitting, pack is a much better benefit than more volume.
Phenomenal segway from poop to peanut butter. Loved the visuals!
From a perspective of soil ecology and water quality, it would be better to bury the toilet paper along with a couple handfulls of leavs and twigs The carbohydrates in the form of lignins in the paper and wood will adsorb nutrients in the waste. This keeps them safer within the topsoil and eventually available to plants. This also keeps the nutrients out of the aquifer.
This is such a little treasure trove of helpful information, thank you!
The visual at 1:12 is perfect when switching topics from shitting to peanut butter.
For many folks that don’t know, an analog watch is a very useful item to have while on trail or just out and about. With a little practice and homework you can navigate day or night with an analog watch. Just like a compass. I will say, that if you learn how to use a sundial, its more accurate than most compasses for determining direction. (Daytime) of course. Happy Hiking 👍🏻
Dilution is the Solution to Pollution! What a great line. Did you make that up? I’ll definitely remember that one.
Oh my...y'all had fun with the pooping question transition to the peanut allergy question.
one reason to wear a watch, specifically with analogue hands. is that can double as a compas on sunny days. all you need is a small stick to cast a shadow
Regarding wristwatches: I do not hike, although I have camped some in the past.
I have two mechanical watches with tritium glow tubes. If I were hiking, I would take one with me. As _rare_ as it might occur, electronics can fail. A wind-up wristwatch, unless it is damaged, will just _keep on truckin'._
Ms. Dixie... never shying away from keeping it real! It is appreciated.
Watches with an altimeter are worthwhile, as well. The alarm feature is useful to save battery.
When I do a particularly sudden/strenuous weekend backpack - with lots of Uphill - I mostly get initial complaints from my piriformis (lateral, pear-shaped) muscles in my upper butt.
But I remember, one time: My legs just went Off On Their Own, Eating Up the Topography, like on Auto-pilot. It was Amazing.