Frequently Wondered About Hiking Questions

Topics:

Bathroom Issues:
Women and bathrooms?
Toilet paper: Do you have to pack it out?
What about menstrual periods?

Sleeping Issues:
What about sleeping?
Do we share a tent?
Who’s our sleeping partner?

Women and bathrooms? Toilet paper: Do you have to pack it out?
What about menstrual periods?

Okay, let’s start with bathrooms. On most of our treks you’ll have the opportunity to use a restroom. Several of our international treks travel thru small villages where these facilities are available, and on some of our trips you’ll have to settle for an outhouse. We do offer a couple of short backpacking treks where you’ll have to go in the outdoors, and it’s not as bad as you may think. Even in a small group you’ll always find the privacy to answer nature’s call, and we simply dig a small 6 inch hole and go. Careful aim is required, and when finished we cover it with the dirt you removed from the hole. Nothing to it!

Ladies, if you prefer not to squat, you may purchase a product called "The Lady J". This unique device allows women to urinate with a minimum amount of exposure and is designed for situations where restroom facilities are unavailable or unsanitary. Yes, it is reusable and costs about $7. If you’re hiking while having your period, you will have to pack out any soiled sanitary napkins. Drop them into a zip lock bag, and if you don’t want to carry them, just give the bag to your guide and he/she will be happy to oblige – just make sure to tip for it!

How do we bathe?

That’s easy, we don’t… just kidding. For the majority of our treks, you will stay in a hotel, B&B, Inn, or Guesthouse – and they have showers or tubs. For our short backpacking trips, baby wipes are a great way to get clean, and we can always heat up some water on the stove for a sponge bath. Again, we’re talking 2 or 3 nights at best without a shower, and remember, two thirds of the world lives without running water everyday.

What about sleeping? Do we share a tent? Who’s our sleeping partner?

As previously mentioned, on the majority of our trips we use inns, and put two people per room. Spouses remain together. Participants can pick their roommates (most people travel with a friend) and we can also provide single accommodations at a higher rate. On our Best of the Rockies and Snowshoeing adventures we stay in a single room yurt, so we’re all sleeping together. It’s actually quite nice to see all of your mates happy faces first thing in the morning! On our short backpacking treks, 2 people share a tent.

How much does the equipment cost?

Hmmmmm…The real answer is it depends! Getting started in adventure travel requires an investment in specialized clothing and equipment – just like in any hobby or sport. The good news is the clothing for our adventures can be worn when you’re not on a trip. It is lightweight, comfortable, low maintenance and looks great. Also, you’ll get plenty of mileage out the clothing/equipment as most people who go on one of our treks get hooked and decide this is the lifestyle they want.

How much? Well it all depends on what you already have that is appropriate. Many participants already own a surprising amount of the clothing necessary and need only a few items to be ready. To start from scratch it can cost cost anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to a thousand dollars – depending on how much you need and the quality of the products. Let’s use a sleeping bag as an example… For our trips which require a sleeping bag you can buy a $150 down bag from Campmor which will be great for any trip, or you buy a $500 down bag.

In the Omaha area, we are willing to shop with our participants and show them what they need (and don’t need) so they can save valuable dollars for other things – like trips!