|
Post by cweston on Jul 6, 2020 13:10:26 GMT -8
I'm heading out to the Gore range (CO) with my son in a couple weeks. I've backpacked many times in the Gores: My normal post-hike shower place is the Silverthorne Rec Center, but it is not offering day passes this summer and their locker rooms/showers are closed anyway. (All sensible.)
There's a KOA not *too* far off the route home where we may be able to shower, if they are even open. I would not be thrilled about this level of Covid exposure, but I'd also not be thrilled driving multiple hours in the car with two stinky, sweaty, filthy guys.
Maybe we should just plan to dip ourselves into the river after completing our hike and grin and bear it on the drive home. Or, I have one of those solar showers I could leave in the hood of the car at the trailhead. (It wouldn't be enough water for two really dirty people, but it's be a start.) How are folks handling this aspect of the normal post-hike routine? (I know the best places for showers and beer in mountain towns all over the west, because in normal times, completing a BP trip demands that both happen ASAP.)
Anyone know of other shower possibilities in the Silverthorn/Frisco area?
|
|
|
Post by autumnmist on Jul 6, 2020 13:31:28 GMT -8
I can't speak to shower possibilities in that area but can suggest an alternative: no rinse bathing and shower products. I discovered them in rehab centers and hospitals, and used one when I had unexpected surgery. I was surprised at how clean and cool I felt. It really was refreshing. The only product I've used is the one used in medical facilities: MedLine Phytoplex No Rinse products. I haven't yet located a local supplier, and have tried the DME suppliers but so far I haven't found the Medline brand. I may have to just order it. Medline bought online runs $8 for an 8 oz. bottle. Some of the other brands, especially in the shampoo section of the local grocery store, are about the same price. I'm thinking about taking a tube with me when I have to travel on hot, sticky days and feel desperately in need of a cleanup before I get in the car. Hope this helps. www.medline.com/product/Remedy-Phytoplex-Hydrating-Cleansing-Gel/Shampoo/Body-Wash/Z05-PF06544;ecomsessionid=kSog4HLIpLiPpmGkV5SVvRLMgAVuYppc4p3Aiqzh.OC1-b2b?question=&index=P8&indexCount=8
|
|
zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,877
|
Post by zeke on Jul 6, 2020 14:13:07 GMT -8
TA Travel Centers, truckstops, are keeping their showers open, last I heard. They are also upping their cleaning crew to keep them as safe as possible. Close to $15 a shower.
If you go the solar shower route, there is no need to keep it on the hood while you are gone. Keeping it in the back window will work better. Park your car where it will get the most direct sun. The interior will heat up well above a normal shower temp. You could even keep a gallon jug in the car to refill the solar shower with warm water if one of you uses too much. We once got 3 couples to shower with a 5 gallon solar shower, by adding lukewarm water after each pair. Even the last couple found it warm enough.
|
|
|
Post by cweston on Jul 6, 2020 14:32:00 GMT -8
Good tip on the solar shower, zeke. If our vehicle will make it, we'll be parked at a fairly out-of-the-way 4wd trailhead where I don't think it'd be too hard to find a fairly private shower location. (To be clear, I'm not very shy at all, but I figure I owe it to others in the vicinity to not traumatize them. If I can't find a private spot, I've learned that one can take a pretty adequate solar shower in one's drawers.)
|
|
zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,877
|
Post by zeke on Jul 6, 2020 14:40:40 GMT -8
cweston Take a closed cell mat to stand on. We also used a coffee can to hang along with the solar shower, to keep the shampoo and soap in.
|
|
|
Post by calidream on Jul 6, 2020 18:13:28 GMT -8
Dang. Lost my post. I used to go to a lot of festivals in forests in Texas and Colorado and there were never showers. I used two one gallon jugs of water. Stood behind car. Used 1/2 gallon to wet and soap, and the rest to rinse. Ahhh. A little cool in Colorado, but doesn't last long. Much, much safer than a public enclosed space.
|
|
daveg
Trail Wise!
Michigan
Posts: 565
|
Post by daveg on Jul 6, 2020 18:57:57 GMT -8
When space is not an issue (like when car camping) I often take a two gallon lawn and garden sprayer (one that you pump to pressurize). Obviously, one that has never had insecticides or chemicals in it. I found it is much more efficient on water than a solar shower.
|
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,911
|
Post by BigLoad on Jul 6, 2020 20:06:53 GMT -8
Dang. Lost my post. I used to go to a lot of festivals in forests in Texas and Colorado and there were never showers. I used two one gallon jugs of water. Stood behind car. Used 1/2 gallon to wet and soap, and the rest to rinse. Ahhh. A little cool in Colorado, but doesn't last long. Much, much safer than a public enclosed space. Under these circumstances, I don't see myself doing anything much different. I'll probably wash off with a bucket and sponge, then handwash the hiking clothes in the bucket before the 2-3 day drive home.
|
|
davesenesac
Trail Wise!
Our precious life is short within eternity, don't waste it!
Posts: 1,710
|
Post by davesenesac on Jul 6, 2020 22:24:22 GMT -8
The real question is why not learn how to jump into cold water each day and learn to love it so one doesn't feel so disgusting driving home or much worse, sliding into a gross sleeping bag each night.
Its been a long time since there has been a thread on this evolved board about staying clean in the backcountry. For those who haven't been here long or don't remember, most backpackers on the forum that venture into our towering mountains almost never jump into lakes and streams because they are deathly afraid of getting into cold water, haha. Amusingly many seem to be content to be dirty, grubby, sweaty, smelly, itchy, stinky, for days as though it is some badge of endurance.
Personally, I dislike being dirty, especially at night when getting into any of the expensive goose down sleeping bags I've owned over decades. Thus have always daily embraced immersing myself in any of the water sources the Sierra Nevada has an abundance of while laughing at those who do not. Yes am Mr Clean. And have explained how to do so in a way even a wimp could manage. There are usually plenty of places to do so road side after reaching trailheads if one bothers to look on a topo. Granted doing such is not like taking a hot shower, however at least that makes my usual 4 to 7 hour drive home easier although I've done plenty of trips where I was relatively clean enough after my last backcountry dunking that I didn't really need it again after reaching my vehicle for the drive home.
|
|
|
Post by cweston on Jul 7, 2020 4:57:08 GMT -8
This site has many sub-forums for specific types of posts. Perhaps it's time to add a "pompous self-congratulation" forum?
|
|
|
Post by swmtnbackpacker on Jul 7, 2020 6:08:41 GMT -8
Getting out a bit there’s funky showers everywhere, including hotels. I kinda like that 1950s style paper glued into a loop stating “sanitized ...” around the toilet seat or door handle. Most KOA and similar showers see too many people though. Figure they could pay an attendant to do a rudimentary check and a Lysol spray (the mist just formally approved to kill CV). www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-reckitt-benc-grp-e/us-epa-approves-use-of-lysol-disinfectant-spray-against-covid-19-idUSKBN24805AHope more brands get approved to prevent a “run” on the stuff, so maybe a personal size is warranted? Another “to do” is reportedly closing the toilet lid before flushing to avoid aerosols, but many “facilities” aren’t really set up for this (= no lids). Maybe a motion triggered disinfectant spritzer upon exit like some have for deodorizer?
|
|
balzaccom
Trail Wise!
Waiting for spring...
Posts: 4,493
|
Post by balzaccom on Jul 7, 2020 6:27:34 GMT -8
I rinse off every couple of days on a backpacking trip, and even wash my (short) hair every three days or so...
But I also don't share David's terror of getting a little dirty or sweaty.
Even after rinsing off, there is something very, very nice about a warm shower...or even washing your hands and face with warm water in a restaurant on the way home. As if that could happen now...sigh.
|
|
|
Post by autumnmist on Jul 7, 2020 7:39:06 GMT -8
cweston, my thoughts exactly, especially after reading a similarly condescending post of a certain person in TPA. swmtnbackpacker, Lysol disinfectants and other brands have already sold out in my area. Haven't seen any for several weeks. OTOH,TP is quite abundant, and probably more so than other basic staples.
|
|
davesenesac
Trail Wise!
Our precious life is short within eternity, don't waste it!
Posts: 1,710
|
Post by davesenesac on Jul 7, 2020 8:35:13 GMT -8
This site has many sub-forums for specific types of posts. Perhaps it's time to add a "pompous self-congratulation" forum? Your welcome
It was meant to sting because IMO as noted it is a old rooted attitude that ought to change.
|
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,911
|
Post by BigLoad on Jul 7, 2020 10:21:19 GMT -8
The real question is why not learn how to jump into cold water each day Because I so rarely encounter that much water in one place.
|
|