Take A Hike!

Let me start by saying that I am by no means a "hiker" nor can I last longer than maybe 5 miles before I require a break and a gluten-free snack, maybe even a nap. With that out of the way, I do have many friends who actually do hike and are pretty good at hiking the distance in the wilderness. This blog is for them and all the hikers out there!

I love to camp, and I use that term loosely because I still like having running water…but this blog is not about me! It is a collection of tips I have picked up from my avid hiking friends and from my own (mild) experience. The first lesson I learned is when hiking, you have to carry everything with you.

If you are doing a quick hike while camping then you can pack much lighter and leave things at your campsite/car. The most important things all campers and hikers need are bug repellent, baby wipes, hand sani, a small first aid kit, a roll of toilet paper, survival water/food, a change of socks, and one friend brings a little travel stove which I think is really cool. That list is definitely not the go-to list for survivalists 😅 but you get the idea.

RANDOM - I found this bug fact when looking up funny bug memes and thought, 'hey that's good to know when camping where there are crickets present and chirping.'  So if you're bored at home or camping and wondering what the temperature outside is, try this trick:

The Long Hike: For this one, I need to reference actual hikers as I am of no use on a long hike. Thankfully, many of my friends are hikers and I picked their brains on what makes hiking easier for them and what they have learned over the years. Here are some key points:

Packing light is no small feat, so when it comes to bare necessities you really only need BARE necessities!  Castile soap mixed with essential oils like Tea Tree or Ylang Ylang are great for keeping skin clean and clear as well as washing any dishes, body or hair and even doggies so definitely pack that for those creek showers. 

Wipes as mentioned above are helpful if you may not have access to water all the time. Seeing as though you have to carry everything you'll be bringing, wipes are lightweight and easy to pack. You can make your own wipes too! 

DIY Wipe Recipe:

• Mix 1 1/2 cups water (preferably distilled) with 20 drops of essential oils (I like Tea Tree and On Guard, as they keep your skin healthy!) and 1 tbsp. of body wash (can use Castile soap or E.O brand wash)
• Use clean hand towels, or cotton wipes, and soak them in the mixture, allowing it to absorb as much as possible. You can cover with a dish cloth while the wipes absorb.
• Store in a resealable plastic bag or tote.  If hiking in hotter climates, take into consideration that liquids can evaporate so pack pre-soaked wipes accordingly, maybe even in your cooler or add a reusable ice pack to it.

Dry Shampoo can help keep hair somewhat clean, and don't forget your hat to protect the top of your head on your long hikes!

First Aid Skin Care kit! This may sound ridiculous but go with me for a second. You already have a first aid kit (hopefully) which should have band-aids, antiseptic, aspirin, and maybe even gauze.

However, there are some things that can be easily added to this without creating too much bulk. Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil, and Calamine lotion are always great to have when going into the woods.

For any burns, scraps, or wounds you can apply Aloe and Coconut Oil to speed up wound healing, Frankincense is also a great essential oil for this as well as Lavender.

I like to keep a small travel pack of essential oils like Breathe and On Guard, Peppermint, Lavender, Frankincense, and Tea Tree from doTERRA for those just in case moments. You can also travel easier with tiny bottles of essential oils for food seasoning too, you will only use the world's smallest drop to flavor any dish but they make for easy packing and concealing aroma when not in use.

Little things that are good to know that I found in my research:

• You can rent gear- I always hit up all my camp savvy friends and borrow their stuff but what if everyone is going camping and you need stuff? Have no fear! You don't have to run to Costco and REI and buy everything. Check out "Online rental sites like Outdoors Geek and Lower Gear will ship your items to get you on the trail...if you are in the Bay Area, check out Last Minute Gear." (www.anywhereathome.com, awesome camping bloggers)
• Sleeping bags are meant to be used as bags and not a two-person sheet and blanket. I froze my butt off camping in Colorado trying to make a giant bed. The next night, me and my one sleeping bag were so warm I slept in shorts as opposed to the night before when I wore everything I brought and two pairs of socks...
• You need to dig a hole for when you go #2. I don't know why this is a shock to me as once I was in a national park and when I went to the bathrooms, they were stalls with holes in the ground. That's right. Stalls, four walls, and even a roof but then just holes... 
• Apparently, cotton is not the material of choice for clothing when camping or hiking. Wool is recommended as it will help absorb sweat and odor while helping regulate body temperature. 
• Dip cotton rounds/pads in wax to make fire starters, just try not to dip them in super fragrant wax for fear of bears who like comfortable surroundings and Bath & Body 3-wick candles.

I hope this helps! Head over to my Instagram and leave me a message if you have tips and tricks for camping and hiking!

Till next time, be good to your skin and even better to yourself,

xx eri