Expedition hygiene - 5 items for your kit

If you add these small and lightweight items to your personal kit bag for your next extended trek or expedition climb, you’ll be a most happy camper.

1) Q-tips.  You’ll be amazed about what you can extract from your ears after a week or so at a dusty base camp.

2) Ear plugs.  Be sure and bring the ones connected with a string, so you can find them when you lose them in the sleeping bag, which you will.  An extra pair is a fine idea too.

3) A tube of Ayr (Nasal saline gel) This product comes in a tiny 0.5 oz. tube, and is simply saline solution in a slightly watery gel form.  The air at altitude holds less moisture, and it can really dry out your nasal passages.  If you dab a tiny bit of this gel into each nostril (not as gross as it sounds) you’ll have instant relief from irritating dry nose.  Google it for more info.  Get at any well-stocked grocery store.

4) Foot powder.  It can help keep your feet drier, smelling much nicer, and can help avoid blisters.

5) Small package unscented baby wipes.  A quick wipedown of your more fregrant body parts with a few baby wipes can (almost) make you feel as though you had a real bath.