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We find that women often arrive at the river with a number of unresolved questions on their minds. This section of our web site is designed to address some of these commonly asked questions.
How do I wash my hair?
No shampoo is to be used in or near the river. There are two popular methods:
1. Bucket-Buddy Method: Find a friend, a cup, a bucket (you can ask the guides for a bailing bucket) and a towel. Fill the bucket with river water and take it away from the river to a point above the “high water mark” (if you are uncertain where that is, ask a guide). Take turns pouring water over each other’s heads, lather up with shampoo and then rinse.
2. Sun Shower Method: A sun shower can be purchased at most outdoor stores. It is a plastic bag that is black on one side, clear on the other and has a spout on the bottom. Fill the sun shower with water in the morning, have a guide tie it to his/her raft and it will heat in the sun all day long. By the time you get to camp you have hot water. Hang the bag from a tree above the “high water mark” and enjoy!
How do I bathe?
No soap is to be used in or near the river. You can use a sun shower (mentioned above) or simply take a “sponge bath.” Bring a small sponge or wash cloth that you can keep in a zip lock bag and use to freshen up day to day.
Should I wear a bathing suit or not? In most cases you do. Camps vary greatly as to how much privacy can be found. If boulders or wooded areas are available, you can take advantage of the situation.
How do I go to the bathroom in the wilderness?
While river trips do not necessarily offer five star bathroom facilities, every camp is set up with a private, portable, stainless steel privy or a fixed outhouse available for all your needs.
If you need to urinate during the day the the river managing agencies tell us the best approach is to use the river. You may be concerned about the environmental consequences of doing this. The fact is, any contribution you make to the river will be infinitesimal compared to the river’s overall water volume. Thus, by being diluted quickly, urine becomes environmentally harmless. If you have a different type of bathroom emergency during the day, talk to the head guide. We have methods for dealing with such situations.
If you have to urinate at night. Do not walk into the river. Instead, first consider using the portable privy. If that is too far away or too difficult to get to, walk reasonably close to the edge of the river.
How do I deal with my menstrual cycle in the great outdoors?
At camp, each privy will have a brown paper bag next to the stainless steel container. The bags are there to receive any feminine hygiene products. It is very important that they NOT be put in the port-a-potty.
During the day, you can step into the woods or behind a boulder and take advantage of a zip lock bag and toilet paper that can be thrown in the trash. Be sure you don’t leave anything behind. Also, remember the guides are your friends; they spend endless days in the outdoors. You should not be shy about pulling them aside to ask a private question.
Are there any other personal items I should bring along?
As we mentioned earlier, it is good to have a small supply of small to medium size zip lock bags.
Two small, quick drying towels are better to have than one large towel.
A headlamp can be very useful to keep your hands free.
Disposable towelettes can be handy, but please do not drop them into the portable toilet. We will have regular garbage bags near our kitchen area.
If you decide to go there, you might consider purchasing a FUD. What on earth is a FUD? It is short for Feminine Urinary Device. This little gadget allows women to discreetly urinate while standing (should they choose to do so), available from REI in the traveling accessories section.
How should I dress for the evening camp?
River trips are not fashion shows – Dress is very informal. That said, you are likely to get tired of living in a bathing suit and/or shorts. We suggest bringing along a loose fitting summer dress or sarong. On many river trips there is also “dress up night.” Guides and guests bring along an outrageous, outdated piece of clothing to wear for the evening that leaves people howling and doubled over at your bad taste.
Hopefully this section has been helpful. If you find we’ve left something out or have additional questions, please email us at info@echotrips.com or call us at (800) 652-3246.
What Next?
- Call us at (800) 652-3246. We love to talk about our trips!
- Email This Page to friends and family.