At first you might think that as a woman there are many more things to worry about while thru-hiking than a man might have to think about. This might be true for some, but there is nothing that should keep you from hiking! Below are seven tips for dealing with woman-specific challenges you might encounter while hiking.
1. Hair
Some bloggers advise women to “cut their hair really short” before beginning a thru-hike. There’s no need for that. Their reasons include: it will look less dirty, you won’t need a brush, you’ll look less feminine. Keep your hair long if it’s long, keep it short if it’s short. No, you probably won’t brush or wash your hair for a week at a time. But hats are great for hiding this. Try keeping your hair in a braid and using a buff headband when it gets greasy. You can even bring a mini hairbrush if you pack-weight allows.
2. Peeing
Bring a “pee-rag.” Might sound gross, but it is a luxury you never knew you needed. Find some sort of bandana or lightweight quick-drying towel such as a packtowl. After use, hang it on the outside of your pack to dry while you hike. When you reach a clean high-mountain stream, dunk it in and rinse it out every once in a while.
3. When Mother Nature Calls
It’s always fun when Mother Nature calls while you’re in mother nature. Not. But there are many ways to deal with this well. Many people use the Diva or Lunette Cup to eliminate packing out tampon waste. Just make sure you know how to use them before hiking and that you rinse it out with water after each use. If that’s not your thing, go with the tampons with no applicator to minimize waste. Using tampons is still a great way to go, just make sure you pack out those used hygiene products. The best way to do this is a double layer zip-lock bag to avoid odors.
4. Underwear
Pick something comfy. We are not going for sexy out there on the trail. Some great options are the Patagonia and Ex Officio. Look for something quick-drying and stretchy. This will help to eliminate odor build-up and allows you to rise out in a stream. Bringing two pairs is the best option if you can afford the weight. This way you can clean one pair out and hang it to try on your pack while you wear the other. Or, go super lightweight and go commando! Nothing to clean, and no wedgies at all.
5. Hitch-Hiking
As a female, it will be significantly easier to get a ride. Just make sure you are comfortable with the person offering you a ride. If you don’t feel comfortable hitching alone, you can try to catch a ride with other hikers heading to town the same day. This will be a bonus for them too because you’ll surely catch them a ride.
If you have cell service, text a friend and let them know where you are before getting in the car and make sure you keep your phone up front with you even if you put your pack in the back. Most people who pick up hikers are good and just want to help, but if you ever feel uncomfortable have an escape plan. Something like telling the driver that you feel sick and need to get out of the car right away, or telling them you forgot something back at the trailhead.
For more information on hitch-hiking click here.
6. Beauty Regime
Just kidding, a beauty regime doesn’t exactly exist on the trail. But there are some small items you can bring if you want to continue to do things like wash your face or put on lotion. Some things to bring that can make a difference in how you feel, especially after built-up sweat and sunscreen sit on your face all day are: mini face wash, mini Aveno face lotion, and face wipes. This will make all the difference every couple of days when you want a fresh start.
7. Safety
Some female hikers, especially solo-hikers are more concerned with safety before hitting the trail. There should be no need to bring anything as extreme as a taser with you, as some blogs advise. But a small hand-held pepper spray by Sabre is not a bad idea. If gives you more comfort while being alone, by all means bring it. Here are some great compact options that will keep you feeling secure without adding pounds to your pack.
