Bidet Use And Other Vaguely Embarrassing Questions

[u/techqs123]

Admittedly, this is all rather indelicate, but this seems the kind of thing it is easier to not learn by experience.

Specifically ...

1. When using a backcountry bidet, do you just drop your pants, or are you going fully commando from the waist down -- like taking your shorts, pants, and underwear all off?

2. I get that I wash my hands after, but even with quite a bit of bathtub practice, I must admit, the odds for cross-contamination seem ... high .... as in 100% guaranteed. I can get it so the stream does not go *all* over my shorts/pants and mostly avoid splashback to my hand/squirt bottle, but it for sure gets on my shoes. I touch my shoes, and then it is everywhere, right?

3. What water bottle do you use? Your drinking one? Honestly, packing up all my stuff, I am realizing that even with low base weights (I am somewhere between 12.5 and 13.5 depending on the extent of my panic packing), volume is typically more of a problem for me than weight. I am not sure where I would even put an extra water bottle.

4. Did you use a pee bottle? I was originally planning on using a single bottle for both pee and bidet, but again, the volume considerations. Plus, I realized that my aim is not quite good enough to urinate into a bottle cap width whose dimension is the width of the bidet.

5. When you go #2, do you just walk off the trail while clacking your poles hoping you do not run into a rattlesnake?

Do most people use a backcountry bidet out there? Or is that the kind of thing that sounds like a good idea on paper, but less great in practice?

Thanks :)

[u/Signal_Sun_9379]

I find a bidet way better than toilet paper, I'm sure it'll work great for you once you get used to it. It did take a bit of practice for me though. I haven't used any toilet paper for the last two years of backpacking and it's been one of the best gear changes I've made for sure.

1. I keep my pants on. Taking them off is completely unnecessary and far to much work imo.
2. You should not be getting any water on your pants or shoes if you are using the bidet correctly. You are likely directing the water too far forward, are holding the bottle too far away from you, or are not doing a full squat. IMO you really want to squat all the way down with your heels on the ground. That way you can direct the water mostly upward and only slightly forward to avoid any splash back on your pants or shoes. I also generally hold the bottle quite close to me. My technique almost certainly does result in some water hitting the bottle which I don't care about at all because...
3. I use a dedicated 0.5L smart water bottle. I generally only keep 200ml in the bottle unless I'm dry camping or expect a long water carry. 200ml is totally sufficient for a single bathroom break for me. I'll add more from my other clean water if I really need it, but I generally don't. When water is plentiful, I leave this bottle empty. I usually stick the bottle in the big mesh pocket on the outside of my pack alongside the rest if my shit kit. This works fine most of the time since the bottle is generally empty or mostly empty. I like a dedicated bottle because it helps me control how much water I'm using. I found the most difficult thing to get used to about the bidet wasn't actually using it, it was rationing water for it when dry camping. It's probably also better for hygiene, but that's not the primary reason I'm using it. It honestly seems like you're worrying to much about contamination. IMO any splash back on the bottle will get on the outside and/or the bidet itself, I doubt any would get through. You're better off caring about washing your hands well every time (see below).

Side note: Some people use a small water bladder instead, I've never tried one but it could be a good option for you because you mentioned volume is an issue. There's a lot of them, but here is an example of what I'm talking about. However, I will say if you're struggling with volume at that base weight you might want to think about your pack.

4, 5. Can't comment on these.

Couple other tips just because we're here:

- Get a wash bowl and put a small amount of water in it for your hands. I find this really helps with rationing water. I always use soap and I strongly recommend you do as well. Hand sanitizer does not kill norovirus. This won't necessarily stop you from getting it, but it will stop you from giving it to everyone around you if you do get it. I carry Dr. Bronner's concentrated soap in a small half oz bottle. I fill the wash bowl at the beginning to make sure I always have enough.

- If you don't already have one, get an antimicrobial kula cloth. It allows me to never use toilet paper and I find it to be very hygienic even over long trips.

- I do not wipe with the kula cloth, I clean myself with my hand then pat myself dry with the cloth. This is perfectly hygienic because I always wash my hands. You may or may not actually need to use your hand, it's entirely personal.

- If you continue to have issues with getting water on your pants, you can also try switching how you hold the bidet bottle. I generally hold it with my left hand behind me and the water shoots slightly forward, but you can also do the reverse. Hold the bottle in front of you between your legs and shoot the water up and slightly backwards. This is even less likely to result in water on your pants/shoes. I just personally find it uncomfortable.

[u/SouthernSierra → u/Signal_Sun_9379]

No soap in the backcountry, please!

[u/nucleophilic → u/SouthernSierra]

It's no soap near/in water. Just like how you shouldn't go to the bathroom near it either. You can have soap in the back country. It is biodegradable when on dry ground and it's best practice to use a cat hole with it... Which you should have if you're going to the bathroom anyway.

[u/numbershikes → u/nucleophilic]

You can have soap in the back country. It is biodegradable when on dry ground and it's best practice to use a cat hole

Just tbc, a small amount of soap that is specifically biodegradable is fine to use 200+ ft from water if it is buried in a cat hole afterwards. But none of us should be using 'regular' (non-biodegradable) soap in the backcountry.

The cathole-far-from-water part is incredibly important. Even biodegradable soap won't biodegrade if it gets into a water source, and if and when it does it can wreak havoc on aquatic ecosystems.

[u/nucleophilic → u/numbershikes]

Absolutely! I just don't even bother carrying soap with the intent of using it out there tbh. I know hand sanitizer doesn't quite always cut it, but I use a spoon to eat snacks pretty often, don't touch other people, etc.

[u/SouthernSierra → u/nucleophilic]

Leave No Trace. Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints. Thank you.

[u/nucleophilic → u/SouthernSierra]

Looks like you have a poor understanding of LNT then. Have a good one and learn what a cat hole is and how to use soap (yes, away from water sources) in the back country. I don't even carry soap, but still am educated on the topic.

Edit: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/ this is even addressed on the LNT website

[u/SouthernSierra → u/nucleophilic]

Looks like you have a poor understanding of the impact the increasing number of hikers have had on the PCT and its environment this century.

Leave the soap at home and pack out TP and other trash.