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shortandsweet
Apr 13, 2007, 7:01 PM
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I'm not sure if I'm looking for advice or just sympathy, but I cannot stand camping. My family was never the outdoors type, but now that I've joined the climbing club at my college we are going on trips which require hard core camping. Next week we leave for W. Virginia and are camping and climbing for a week. I spent a week in Alabama earlier this year at HP40 and didn't mind it too much, but they had showers and bathrooms. WV won't have any of this. Does anyone else share my dislike of camping, or can anyone offer any advice for getting over or coping with this problem? Thanks!
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shrug7
Apr 13, 2007, 7:13 PM
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My wife HATES to camp, she told me to get one of these and she'd go camping.
I have just about given up on getting her to go. 
And I'm done venting...
My 2 cents
Find a comfy, tent, sleepbag, pad, pillow. Try to make it as much like home as possible. Bring good snacks and cook good food. Get bug spray. If you're near your car the luxury items won't be to much of a burden to carry.
(This post was edited by shrug7 on Apr 13, 2007, 7:14 PM)
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granite_grrl
Apr 13, 2007, 7:16 PM
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You won't be showering for the full week that you'll be away? How about swimming in lakes or streams (prob cold that time of year though)? I find the hardest part of camping is how greasy my hair gets. The longest I've gone without washing it is probobly 10 days, but I have to work up to it.
One thing I have always wanted to try is one of those solar shower things. Its a black bag filled with water, traps the heat from the sun so you can get a warm shower. Again, I don't know how warm it would get if your trip is next week.
If you're car camping I'd seek out the beta on where you can sneak into the nearest town and get a shower. There are places like truck stops, swimming pool and gyms when you can pay to get a shower.
As far as the rest of the bathroom experiance goes....where are you climbing exactally? Parks and campgrounds should have at least pit toilets.
Good luck, hope things won't be as bad as I think you think it will be.
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thomasribiere
Apr 13, 2007, 7:35 PM
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Sorry, guy responding here. I think the most important thing for you will be to keep the minimum of hygiene, as it is for me. I don't appreciate dirty hair either. Washing my teeth twice daily and washing my hair every 2-3 days is like a luxury. We get used to camping pretty quick nonetheless.
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happiegrrrl
Apr 13, 2007, 7:39 PM
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When I started climbing, I hadn't been outdoors overnight in many years - since I was a kid. My family did camper camping, and stayed in those fa,ily campsite types of places that had showers/washing machines, pools and stuff. The only thing rustic was the trees surrounding the camper spot!
I really worried about how my hair would feel, because at that time I'd never gone more than a day without washing it! Hard to imagine that now....
Like you, my virgin camping experience was....gentle. Showers! I was so thrilled....I am embarrassed now, remembering how I luxuriated both morning and night with a hot shower. Though...if I ever camped with a hot showers again, I'd likely do the same. hahah.
Try not to worry - you will get used to it. And if you don't - you can certainly ....probably....survive for one week. And then never do it again if it was really that awful.
Most likely a college group is not going to be a full week in the wilderness with no access to any ammenities. But maybe I am wrong....They would probably spell it out pretty clearly if you had to know things like "You won't get to shower the entire week. There will be no water except what we carry. So don't waste it!"
One thing that I have found is that, if my hair/face IS feeling oily, is that I CAN easily clean it to some extent. Heat up a small amount of water. Not too hot!
Face: Take a corner of your camping towel and soak it. Then lay in on your skin and let it sort of steam/seep in. Then gently rub.
If still want more clean - Use a non-foaming creamy face cleanser(Noxema-type of thing) and put a SMALL amount on your face. Just enough to feel it. NO SLATHERING ON OF PRODUCTS! You're "roughing it, after all.....
Wipe as much off as you can(can use your hands, a tissue, leave(I can just hear you..."UGHHH!!!!") or he towle! Don't put it on the ground if there is excess; put it in a disposeable bag and carry it out.(Now you know why not to slather on product!).
Then, rinse your face again with the wather on the towel.
ahhhh - all clean!
Hair: Heat water, dunk the towel end in and get it wet. Ring it out over your hair, to get it wet. Take your hands and pretend you have wonderful, delicious shampoo and go to it..... Towel dry.
ahhhhh....well, not clean, but at least not wrethedly oily.
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comet
Apr 13, 2007, 8:04 PM
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Baby wipes. You have to pack them out, but it doesn't sound like that will be an issue. Use on hands, armpits, and the back of your neck, and you'll feel a LOT better.
Baby powder works pretty well for greasy hair--sprinkle in, let it sit, brush it out.
No-water-needed face wipes (oil of olay and neutrogena both make these) also work well. Also pack these out.
You can get a whole, warm-to-hot shower, or at least wash your hair if it's too cold to be naked outside, out of 3-4 nalgenes filled up in the morning with cold water and left on the dash of your car (assuming you have access to sufficient water...and enough privacy somewhere to strip down and use 'em).
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troutboy
Apr 13, 2007, 8:05 PM
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shortandsweet wrote: ...can anyone offer any advice for getting over or coping with this problem? Thanks!
Fill two 2-liter bottles with tap water. Place in the rear window of your vehicle. As long as the sun is out at least partially, you'll have hot water for at least washing hair and face, and probably enough for more after climbing all day.
Bring wet-wipes. They work for, ahem, a lot of hygienic activities.
T
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kimmyt
Apr 13, 2007, 8:07 PM
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Where in WV are you camping/climbing? Most of the major destination areas have camping sites that at least have the benefits of a toilet. If a shower is that important to you, you can buy one from somewhere on the way to dinner. At the New, use Roger's rent-a-shower. It was something like $2 for 12 minutes, last time I was there, but don't quote me on it. It's also located right by Kaymoor climbing area so if you climb there a day, that would be an ideal time to hit it. Bring your flip flops.
If you're in Seneca, you can go the high route and buy a shower at Yokum's for Princess Snowbird campsite. The showers here are really nice and the hot water feels great.
If you'll truly be around no showers and toilets (hard to believe for a group trip, but possible nonetheless) bring babywipes and give yourself a good scrub early morning or late night, depending on your preference. Make sure to bring a big ziploc to store used naps in.
For hair, I usually just don't do anything with mine. If I'm going several days without a shower, hairbands are nice and a braid helps me not mind the greasiness. Bandannas are a life saver, and you'll forget that your hair is unwashed (or I would anyway, but then I have always been marginal on the use of showers when camping... heh).
Also, like happiegirl said, try it this once with your group trip. If you really hate it, you can go your whole life climbing without camping out. You'd be surprised at the cheap hostels and hotels you can find in and around climbing areas. You will probably end up spending more money, but if it makes you happy, then why punish yourself by camping if you don't enjoy it?
K.
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caughtinside
Apr 13, 2007, 8:11 PM
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you should make it clear the entire week to your friends in the club exactly how much you love to camp and be outdoors.
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lena_chita
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Apr 13, 2007, 8:33 PM
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Where are you camping? There are definitely showers in West Virginia :)
Maybe next time during planning stage you should chime in and insist on a campground with showers... But it won't be too bad right now, it is still cold/cool, so you won't be sweating too much, and when the temps dip low in the evening you don't feel like showering anyway...
I can't really add much in terms of advice on how to clean up without a shower--other people have done a great job of that already.
As to the rest of it -- make your camping as comfortable as possible. If you aren't back-packing, there is no point in skipping such comfort items as a nice pillow, maybe even an inflatable mattress or, gasp, blanket and sheets!
And remember the big picture-- you are doing it to go climbing, right? You want to go!
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acacongua
Apr 15, 2007, 12:09 PM
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I hate camping too so I did what I could to make sleep better:
1. I have a twin size inflatable mattress. You can get a battery or car operated air machine to blow it up. This things are great and worth the money to buy a good one (30 v. 150 for a thick pad). It'll fit in a two-man tent. If it's cold, get an egg crate to put on top.
2. Ear plugs!! Bring extra pairs in case you rip them out in the midst of your sleep. I stick my finger under water and then wet my ear so the plug will slide in deeper.
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bizarrodrinker
Apr 15, 2007, 5:47 PM
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Biodegradable soaps are good for a quick creek bath.
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kimmyt
Apr 16, 2007, 12:59 AM
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bizarrodrinker wrote: Biodegradable soaps are good for a quick creek bath.
http://www.drbronner.com/drb_sai_liquids.html
i like the peppermint one
plus the bottle makes for some fun wacky reading!
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reno_rock
Apr 16, 2007, 1:18 AM
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Its okay if you don't like to camp. If you want to ease yourself into it, you might try not showering every day when you're still at home, but maybe every other day. That helps your skin feel and produce the normal oils, and then you learn not to feel so grossed out by it. That helps immensely when not able to wash out in the sticks. An electric battery operated razor helps too... Also, as others mentioned, a good tent, sleeping pad (EXTREMELY important if you don't like the ground), and warm bag make a big difference. All the other goodies really help too, ie bandana, wet wipes, baby powder, and maybe a chocolate bar if you can find a way to keep it...
Good luck!
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happiegrrrl
Apr 16, 2007, 1:57 AM
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"An electric battery operated razor helps too"
Uhhh....that sounds like a guy thing to me. But I can see how it would be a small luxury that might help a guy who's used to a daily shave.
Also - earplugs? While I won't argue the point as they obviously are a helpful tool to the person who posted, what I thought was "ohhh....Why would I possibly want to tune out all those wonderful sounds - the wind, trees branches swaying, the creeking of gorund branches as an animal walks through the woods nearbye....
That DID just remind me of something! The first time I camped(as a climber. It was at Seneca) I heard the branches breaking and, being a city girl feeling.....strange....out in a tent and with no deadbolt lock nighttime routine....my first thought was "Preditor!!!" But I imagined a gruesome Texas Chain Saw Massacre Man, and NOT an innocent animal at all.
To hear it later - again!!!! - I wanted to cry. I was with a guide, and the next morning I asked about the sounds and if anyone had heard them. The guy doesn't even look up from his breakfast, and says "Oh, there's lots of deer out here. Or maybe it was a raccoon. But probably just a deer.
Now, when I hear those sounds, I get a peaceful, happy feeling, knowing that I am amidst the natural world, and with no need for the deadbolt routine.
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reno_rock
Apr 16, 2007, 2:08 AM
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happiegrrrl wrote: "An electric battery operated razor helps too" Uhhh....that sounds like a guy thing to me. But I can see how it would be a small luxury that might help a guy who's used to a daily shave.
Actually, I'm a girl, and italian/Greek one at that. After about 3 days without shaving, it becomes painful to wear pants, so while I detest shaving at all, for some one else who hates camping, I thought it might help.
I, like you, love being in the wilderness. The sounds around me are soothing, and I rarely sleep better at home than when I'm out camping.
The truth is, one will have to learn to like camping, else bringing every day life with you will only cause such an inconvenience, you won't like camping regardless...
Not showering every day at home may sound crude, but it really helps!
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happiegrrrl
Apr 16, 2007, 2:25 AM
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Oh dear! Iam soooo embarrassed...
BUT!
I have an explanation....I honestly saw "reno" as your username, and not the _rock" part, and thought the post was from "reno" a user on this site who is a guy.
Please accept my apoligy!
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reno_rock
Apr 16, 2007, 2:31 AM
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happiegrrrl wrote: Oh dear! Iam soooo embarrassed... BUT! I have an explanation....I honestly saw "reno" as your username, and not the _rock" part, and thought the post was from "reno" a user on this site who is a guy. Please accept my apoligy!
HAHA- no worries- really. "Reno" is one of the moderators I think...
I should have been a little more obvious in my screen name perhaps... 
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rrrADAM
Apr 16, 2007, 3:18 AM
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My wife and I have camped and climbed our way all over the country...
Rivers and lakes, while cold, are great with a little shampoo and a bar of Ivory soap (it floats) to stay clean... When you get out, dry off, and get clothed again, you'll feel squeaky clean. We've bathed in the Merced River or Lake Tenya too many time to count when we've been in Yosemite.
We also generally camped for 5-7 days at a place, and have taken spent our 'off day' at public pools, relaxing and getting clean.
Even a pot of water, heated on a camping stove, and a wash-rag will do quite a job... You just need to not be bashfull... Its the end result that counts, being clean.
The one item that made our camping luxuorious... A large inflatable air matress... Way better than a sleeping bag mat.
(This post was edited by rrrADAM on Apr 16, 2007, 3:21 AM)
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amikros
Apr 16, 2007, 5:14 AM
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I had my first camping experience in October, so I was super apprehensive and I know how it feels to be like "ooooh crap..."
BUT, I think you need to go into it positively, not like "i'm going to hate this, this is going to suck and my life, for a week, will be balls."
sorry. dont mean to be harsh.
I mean....look on the very bright side...you're climbing for a week!! camping is just a side note! And it's fun! if you're with a bunch of kids from your college (in my experience,) everyone climbs, then drinks and has a great time. you'll be fine. just take the few toiletries you can't live without (don't dump anything bad into the ecosystem) and I'm sure you'll get through it
good luck!
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granite_grrl
Apr 16, 2007, 12:33 PM
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happiegrrrl wrote: [Also - earplugs? While I won't argue the point as they obviously are a helpful tool to the person who posted, what I thought was "ohhh....Why would I possibly want to tune out all those wonderful sounds - the wind, trees branches swaying, the creeking of gorund branches as an animal walks through the woods nearbye.....
What about the freakn' drunken, no rythem bongos?
And the people who roll into the campground at 1am, forget to turn off the their cell alarm which goes off at 5am.....but they're too tried to wake up and shut it off so you can go back to sleep.
I love climber's campgrounds during the day, but they can sometimes be a trial at night.
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granite_grrl
Apr 16, 2007, 12:36 PM
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reno_rock wrote: happiegrrrl wrote: "An electric battery operated razor helps too" Uhhh....that sounds like a guy thing to me. But I can see how it would be a small luxury that might help a guy who's used to a daily shave. Actually, I'm a girl, and italian/Greek one at that. After about 3 days without shaving, it becomes painful to wear pants, so while I detest shaving at all, for some one else who hates camping, I thought it might help. I, like you, love being in the wilderness. The sounds around me are soothing, and I rarely sleep better at home than when I'm out camping. The truth is, one will have to learn to like camping, else bringing every day life with you will only cause such an inconvenience, you won't like camping regardless... Not showering every day at home may sound crude, but it really helps!
I could see that. There are also these nifty disposable razors with a soap/lotion hunk surounding the razor which makes for a more comfortable shave.
Have you tried waxing? The hair grows back more natuarlly, softer and thiner at the tips to you don't get that prickly hair that you get after shaving.
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happiegrrrl
Apr 16, 2007, 2:16 PM
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granite_grrl wrote: happiegrrrl wrote: [Also - earplugs? While I won't argue the point as they obviously are a helpful tool to the person who posted, what I thought was "ohhh....Why would I possibly want to tune out all those wonderful sounds - the wind, trees branches swaying, the creeking of gorund branches as an animal walks through the woods nearbye..... What about the freakn' drunken, no rythem bongos? And the people who roll into the campground at 1am, forget to turn off the their cell alarm which goes off at 5am.....but they're too tried to wake up and shut it off so you can go back to sleep. I love climber's campgrounds during the day, but they can sometimes be a trial at night.
I think I must claim special dispensation, for being a 20 year, NYC - heart of clubland, veteran.....
I can sleep through car alarms, 3-alarm fire false warnings, 5 drunk frat boys on the street at 4am after clubs closed but still in full search of a party, mean drunks screaming through the night at who knows who or what, neighbor below who....ummm, sounds like he "likes it a little rough." I can catnap with both eyes closed while yet remaining fully alert, sitting in a crowded subway car(that will often have at least 1 of the above mentioned scenarios being acted out!). The list goes on.
I forget that many people are more sensative - hahaha.
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granite_grrl
Apr 16, 2007, 2:23 PM
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happiegrrrl wrote: I think I must claim special dispensation, for being a 20 year, NYC - heart of clubland, veteran..... I can sleep through car alarms, 3-alarm fire false warnings, 5 drunk frat boys on the street at 4am after clubs closed but still in full search of a party, mean drunks screaming through the night at who knows who or what, neighbor below who....ummm, sounds like he "likes it a little rough." I can catnap with both eyes closed while yet remaining fully alert, sitting in a crowded subway car(that will often have at least 1 of the above mentioned scenarios being acted out!). The list goes on. I forget that many people are more sensative - hahaha.
Too funny! I guess I've always seeked out quiet places to live and have never lived in a realy big city.
I forgot the earplugs at the Red last weekend....and the drunks around the campfire dragged out the bongos. I was not a happy camper!
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tavs
Apr 16, 2007, 5:02 PM
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A couple of other tips I've found useful:
-If you really are going to be without shower for an extended period of time, and your hair is long enough, try putting your hair (or at least the top/front part of it) into many little braids--keeps it out of your face, doesn't get knotted up, and you don't feel the greasiness (I think it actually gets much less greasy, probably partly because I'm not touching my hair as much).
-Disposable non-water face wipes; there are a number of options out there (Ponds makes some great ones) and they are really light/small even if you have to pack in/out
-If camping near the car, definitely bring a real pillow.
-If you're bouldering (and hence, have crash pads) and camping near the car, use the pads for sleeping on in addition to a regualr sleeping pad. Very cushy.
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