Travel and Leisure Articles

I stood at the observation point on the balcony at the Visitor Center overlooking the great Mendenhall Glacier at Juneau, Alaska. Before me was a beautiful scene. The glacier reflected in the large lake. Ooh, ahh. Both to the left and right were mountains. It was a beautiful clear day. I watched the people too, walking around taking photos, and looking at the scenery before us and at the displays in the center, just a few feet away.

A constant roar came from a tall and full waterfall to the right of the glacier. Once, the glacier covered the waterfall. No one was aware of its presence before the glacier receded. I looked closer at the base of the waterfall. There seemed to be a sandbar and people walking on it. With my binoculars I traced the path they must have taken below me. It crossed large sandbars separated by streams and covered with bushes. I found the general location of the beginning of the path. A ranger told me that there was a way to get out there, but it wasn’t official, and that it was a little steep at one point. I decided that the best way to see such a beautiful place was up close, so I decided to try it. My mom and my husband were along with me. I told them I wanted to try the path, and asked if they wouldn’t mind just hanging around waiting for me since they didn’t want to join me.

Into the bushes I went. Immediately, I had to scramble along steep wet slate under the cover of brush. After following some wrong trails and trying again, I found myself in the large bush-covered sandy area heading towards the waterfall. I jumped little streams and plotted my course across to my goal. My last obstacles were climbing a large rock, and then traversing a 20 ft. wide stream dotted with well-placed stepping stones.

I walked right up to the roaring waterfall, and even climbed up along side it a ways on large rocks. Walking away from the waterfall I encountered a large cloud of mist that emanated from its base. I walked out along the sandbar towards the center of the lake and found a large rock to sit on. I had a snack, enjoying being present in this amazing location — surrounded by the lake and flanked by a glacier, a grand waterfall and mountains. I met people too. Some kids were climbing up much higher than I had on the rocks. A gentleman from Germany took my photo, and I took a photo of two girls out on their own adventure.

After an hour of ‘hanging around,’ I turned back. I crossed the creek, climbed the rock, and then looked for hikers emerging from the bushes to find the best path back. A couple times I had to stop and wait for new hikers so I could find the path again. The sun was setting, the floating icebergs were glimmering on the lake, and I enjoyed every moment of delay.

My entire trek took about two hours — worth every moment. My husband and my mom were very understanding and said they enjoyed the visitor center and the scenery (which included me through the telescope!) I’m glad I had the courage to ask for that time. It would have been easy just to do the scheduled tour, and to take no risks. William Shedd once said, ‘A ship in the harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.’ I find that when I go further, it makes all the difference. It creates treasured memories.

Whether you want to tour Alaska by sea, foot, or even snow shoes, there are plenty of Alaska vacation packages that can fit both your needs and your budget. Guided tours are one simple solution that can help you maximize your Alaska vacation experience.

One of the most popular Alaska vacation packages is the cruise package, offered by many of the leading cruise lines. With so many glaciers and so much wildlife to see, taking a cruise through Alaska is a one of the best ways to see the most hidden features of the state. A cruise is also a great option for many other reasons. With plenty of entertainment, attractive ports of call, and fascinating tours that take you off of the ship, it is hard to not have a blast on Alaska cruise vacation packages. Plus, you’ll only have to unpack once, which is definitely an appealing benefit to this type of Alaska vacation package.

From Anchorage, to Seward, to South Denali, there are so many amazing sites to see on any of the many Alaska vacation packages. One of the most popular packages includes Mt. McKinley, a stunning mountain by just about any standards. Another popular stopping point is the Kenai Fjords National Park. Here, you’ll feel like the ice age is still upon us. Alaska is truly a place that is in constant change. So no matter how many times you visit you don’t have to see the same sight twice.

Whether you want to travel by air, land, or sea, there are many different varieties of Alaska vacation packages that can take you around this beautiful state. Alaska is a state with more floras and wildlife than you could imagine. Therefore, having a guide to explain the many ecosystems can come in handy. If you are going it alone (sans guide), there are still plenty of opportunities to explore Alaska’s wonderfully unique sites. Either way, Alaska is a truly enjoyable vacation experience and is definitely a place you have to visit at least once in your lifetime

If you love the great outdoors, Southeast Idaho is a great place to be. Southeast Idaho offers great scenic getaways and hikes. Within an hour of the cities of Rigby, Rexburg, and Idaho Falls are many great getaways. This article discusses some of the magnificent hiking adventures in Southeast Idaho.

An hour away from Rigby, Idaho is the Grand Teton mountain range near Driggs, Idaho. The mountain range offers many amazing hikes. Two of the most popular hikes are Table Rock and Darby Wind Cave. Table Rock is a day’s hike. It takes about 5 hours to reach top of the mountain and only about 3 hours to descend the mountain. On top of Table Rock, hikers have an unbelievable view of the Grand Teton and the valley below. Bring water, food, and warm cloths to hike the mountain. Although it may be warm at the base of the mountain, the top may be cold and windy.

The best time to hike Table Rock is mid July to the end of September. There still may be snow on the mountain in June. The hike is moderately difficult with steep inclines. No mountain climbing gear is needed to clime Table Rock. The trail is well defined, and you will run into several other hikers on the way up and on the way down. It is best to start the hike early morning to reach the top before the afternoon. The wind tends to be stronger in the afternoon.

Darby Wind Cave hike, also known as Memorial Hike, is located near Victor, Idaho. The trail is only 2.5 miles to the cave from the parking lot. The hike is not difficult and suitable for all ages. The climax of the hike is reaching the large Darby Wind Caves. You may hike further into the cave, but if you do remember to bring warm cloths and flashlights. Do not hike far into the cave unless your group has an experience cave hiker. The mouth is the cave is large and beautiful with a river running out of the cave and down the mountain.

Whether you are searching for the perfect holiday, or somewhere permanent to settle down, Palm Springs is the place for you. Offering such a variety as old Indian museums, an air tramway, living deserts and zoos. Where else will you find such varied and awe inspiring attractions? Only in Palm Springs California can you find these things!

Palm Springs is home to the world’s biggest circulating tramcar that takes you on a ride to the peak known as Chino Canyon where you can feast your eyes and your stomach at the restaurant known as the “Top of The Tram” with an 8,000 foot down to bring you to the surrounding area. Following an afternoon on the tramcar, perhaps another attraction you would like to view would be a breath taking scenic drive from the middle of the town, to the land owned by the tribe of Cahuilla Indians. Only here are you able to view the land that has been left alone for centuries, and immerse yourself in the culture surrounding this beautiful location.

These attractions and many more are only a drop in the well of the beauty offered by the cultural rich land of the west. From the natural beauty of the Indian canyons with their colors and desert views to the canyons of Palapas at Araby Cove, surrounded by waterfalls, tropical foliage, and spirit renewing views of Santa Rosa Mountains as the backdrop. No other place on Earth offers these attractions from each end of the spectrum. If you are more of an indoors type person, there are many awe inspiring attractions as well. Museums will bring out the historian in you, and spas or resorts for pampering a weary heart, mind, and soul. The number of museums well outnumbers the days of the week, leaving you with a variety to pick from. Whether your taste runs toward old Indian cultures, or simply the past of all nations, each museum gives you an experience to remember, while surrounding you with beauty and artifacts that tell stories of long ago.

The children are a big part of life in Palm Springs, and most of the museums offer displays geared toward educating them as well as keeping their attention. There are attractions for everyone in the family here in Palm Springs, and planning a vacation or a move here is one way of experiencing a part of our nation’s history, while enjoying the relaxed way of life at a slower pace than usual. Come on out to Palm Springs where the people and attractions are a different world all on their own.

Studying wildlife is an important task, but it can be very dangerous so it must be done carefully. It is important to get the word out about animals and the environment, but naturalists walk a fine line whenever they interact with Mother Nature, as she is highly unpredictable. Being an avid supporter of animal protection and rights, I have learned a few things from watching famous naturalists and environmentalists take risks, in order to protect wildlife and educate the public. This is wonderful, and should be done, but what is scary is when accidents happen, abruptly. Some are more prepared for emergencies than others, but even with safeguards in place, things can go terribly wrong. The lesson here is look but don’t get too close to dangerous creatures, and don’t get overly comfortable with wildlife. Becoming trusting and comfortable may lead to tragedy. For example, take the cases of Australian animal champion, Steve Irwin; and American grizzly bear Activist, Timothy Treadwell.

Steve Irwin, otherwise known as “The Crocodile Hunter”

All his life, Steve Irwin loved and lived with animals of many kinds, growing up with animal-loving parents. As years went by, his animal handling skills grew and he became famous for rescuing crocodiles and other wild animals. I watched all his shows, and thought what a great guy he was, and what a noble cause he championed. Along with his wife, Terri, he went on to become a superstar in the world of naturalists. Steve knew what he was doing, and was a true expert in educating the world about animals, and in animal handling. He built his family’s zoo bigger and more comfortable for the animals there, using respect and care for each and every animal. He bought a large yacht, and used it for marine research.

Steve Irwin grew up in the bush and in water. He was at home among nature. This man seemed to be a modern day Tarzan, with charisma and a happy, knowledgeable way of being. Who would ever guess that he died in a freak accident in 2006, after being stabbed in the heart by a huge stingray he was filming for his daughter’s new TV show. Like that, he was gone in a flash. He had taken safety precautions, and had his big yacht with waiting emergency staff, there when the incident happened. Terri Irwin likened the accident to “running with a pencil,” a routine incident that went horribly wrong. He was rushed to the boat, but even they couldn’t save him. Even if with all his knowledge, getting too close to a stingray ( which is usually a docile animal) was enough to put it into defense mode, so it lashed out at him. Steve’s legacy goes on, and his family is keeping his environmental causes and memories alive with their organizations, their zoo and more. The web address for their Australia Zoo can be found at australiazoo.com.au/

Timothy Treadwell, self-taught crusader for grizzly bears

The sad demise of a devoted bear lover and his girlfriend came in KatmaiNational Park, up in Alaska, in 2003. Timothy Treadwell was not trained as a scientist but he devoted his life to large, wild bears he wanted to protect from poaching in the Alaskan wilderness. For many years, he chose to be flown to remote locations and camp out; documenting his experiences with bears he came in contact with, far from civilization. Currently, Leonardo DiCaprio is working on a movie, “The Man Who Loved Grizzlies,” with no release date as of yet, documenting Treadwell’s life. A sadly fascinating film by Werner Herzog, called “Grizzly Man” explains the mystery behind the deaths of Treadwell, and his girlfriend, Amy Huguenard. Being too comfortable, reckless and trusting of these large carnivores took both their lives. Both were eaten by a grizzly bear, as the camera rolled (lens cap on), in an area so remote that there are no roads or humanity for many miles. He had no way of connecting with others, nowhere to run, and no big trees to escape to. Previously, Treadwell thought he knew the bears well enough to stop carrying the bear spray that many use for protection. He’d stopped carrying it years before.

Timothy Treadwell took many truly amazing videos and photographs up close and personal with the bears he loved so dearly, and proclaimed that he would die for them. He was right. Unfortunately his noble cause backfired, because he got too familiar and close with them, calling them cute names and trying to befriend them. In the end, authorities had to shoot bears as they came to recover the remains of Treadwell and Huguenard. These animals had shown aggression and were put down for it. Despite such a tragic end, Timothy Treadwell brought knowledge of these bears to the world and wrote a book called “Among Grizzlies”. His website lives on through friends and other bear lovers at grizzlypeople.com/

It’s important to educate the world, especially children about animals, and nature but it must be done carefully. Watching naturalist, Jeff Corwin’s shows on Animal Planet, as well as reruns of the “Crocodile Hunter,” I have total respect for naturalists, and their camera people. Their work is important and kids everywhere learn that wild animals are best handled by experts, and with respect to avoid accidents or mishaps.

For all those would-be animal advocates, remember that wild animals are fascinating and unpredictable. Take proper safety precautions when handling or just being around them. My horse trainer told me once, that dangerous riding accidents usually don’t happen to beginners, they happen when the rider is experienced and becomes too familiar or comfortable with their sport. That goes for being a nature filmographer or wild animal expert. There are other tragic naturalists not focused on here, such as Diane Fosse, who went to Africa to live among gorillas but lost her life to poachers. For those who want to live remotely and study animals, learn how to anticipate and respond to unforeseen emergencies. It may just save your life.

Rule 1: Plan everything in advance.There is nothing worse than a poorly planned trip. Start right from the beginning i.e. deciding your destination to booking your tickets to the reservation of your accommodation. One important thing here to mention is about your packing. Make sure you pack all your essentials and spare clothes to be used incase the need arises.

Rule 2: Be Spontaneous.

Don’t follow your itinerary as if written in stone. Try different thing like lazing on the beach to having an odd coffee at some place or just wandering around. This will help you to know the place better which you are visiting and add a zing to your trip.

Rule 3: Don’t try to see or do too many things because this way you will actually end up doing very little. Try having an accommodation at a central point and then make tips to various other destinations near by. Checkout a small region thoroughly than just visiting a larger region with very little time to explore.

Rule 4: Do not stick to vacationer traps. Visit some local restaurants, markets, etc. where you will meet local people, rather than just bumping into other tourists. Certainly part of the reason for going on a holiday is to experience a little local flavor.

Rule 5: Learn some word of the local lingo. Try to learn some basic words of the place you are visiting like greetings etc. This will be very much appreciated. In this way you learn something more from the place you are visiting.

In the summertime, we must be very cautious to avoid mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases such as the West Nile Virus, malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever. When temperatures begin rising around spring and summer, mosquitoes begin to hatch and look for food. Female mosquitoes must feed on blood to survive and to develop eggs, while non-biting male mosquitoes prefer nectar and plant juices.

Have you ever wondered why mosquito bites itch and how mosquitoes transfer diseases to us? When a mosquito finds you, it uses chemical sensors in its nose, called a proboscis, to detect blood. When the mosquito bites, it uses two of its mouths to cut through tissue. Then another mouth continuously injects saliva into you while another mouth quickly draws blood. A mosquito can rapidly draw about four times its weight in blood, which luckily for us is only about one-millionth of our blood. The saliva works as an anticoagulant, which creates an easy flow of blood from you to the mosquito and prevents you from noticing the bite.

Unfortunately, it is this saliva that causes diseases and the itching afterwards. Our bodies react to the saliva with a histamine response. This makes the skin around the bite itch. Although the itching is irritating, in some ways this reaction is a good thing because it causes us to notice the bite. This can be helpful if we develop flu symptoms shortly after because we can connect the bite with the flu, and can then see a doctor to see if we have a mosquito-borne illness.

So how do you protect yourself from a mosquito bite? One way is to wear a mosquito hat to protect your face and neck without using harsh chemicals. These hats come in various styles, including a baseball cap and bucket hat, but contain fine mesh netting tucked in the crown. When you need the protection, you pull the highly visible netting out from the hidden pocket in the crown of the hat, pull it down to your collarbone, and cinch it tight to keep all biting bugs out. Also, you can wear light colored clothing because mosquitoes are more attracted to darker colors.

Another protection tool is chemical or organic mosquito repellants. These repellants block the sensing mechanisms that mosquitoes have in their antennae to detect hosts through carbon dioxide, moisture, and heat. Mosquitoes get lost in the flight to us with these repellants. DEET is one of the strongest repellants. It is especially useful in jungle and heavily forested areas.

Besides traditional chemical repellants, oils have been shown to repel mosquitoes for a few hours as well. These oils include citronella, geranium, peppermint, rosemary, cedarwood, lavender, and the most effective–catnip oil. Although these oils won’t last as long as repellants like DEET, they can repel mosquitoes for about 2 to 3 hours.

Another tip is to be more cautious during the early morning hours around sunrise and after the sunset. Mosquitoes like to come out when the temperature is around 45 to 68 degrees. Be especially cautious if you live near large bodies of water, such as a lake, or if you live in humid or marshy areas where mosquitoes breed.

If you do happen to get bit, you can stop the itching by rubbing the inside of a banana skin on the bite. Other solutions include using Vicks vapor rub, aloe vera, baking soda, lemon juice, mint toothpaste, or pharmacy antihistamines. If you don’t have any of these items, you can use your saliva or stab an X in the bite with your nail or sharp object to stop the itching for up to 8 hours. Be aware that if you contract a disease from the bite, it may take a few hours or even a few weeks for symptoms to appear.

Hopefully this guide will help keep you free from mosquito bites during the warm weather so you can enjoy the outdoors.

For anyone travelling from Europe, North America or similar, then South Africa is a world apart from what you may be used to. The hiking trails you can do in South Africa can range from short walks that will have you back in the comfort of your hotel by the end of the day or hikes that can take place over the course of a few days.

Day treks

Some of the treks that will only take you the better part of a day include the Dassie Interpretive Trail in the Augrabies Falls National Park. This trail is only 5kms long; self guided and carries no cost for taking part in it.

There is also the Tugela Gorge Walk in the Royal Natal National Park. This trail is about 23kms long, is fairly easy going and should only take about 5 or 6 hours. The views on display are fairly spectacular, including views of the the Amphitheatre, Sentinel and Tugela Falls.

Week long treks

The most famous trek in the country is probably the Otter Trail which you can find on the Tsitsikamma coast. On this trail you will see the best of all the landscapes that South Africa has to offer such as lush forests, rugged shorelines, mountain streams, waterfalls and the unique fynbos. The trail will take about 5 days and 4 nights, and it can be quite strenuous so you will have to be reasonably fit. On each of the nights you will be staying in hiking huts which, though would never be confused for the Ritz, serve their purpose very well.

A similar trail is the Dolphin Trail which runs across the same sort of terrain as the Otter Trail. But instead of staying in the basic hiking huts, you will get to stay in fully catered guest houses. You don’t even have to carry all your gear with you, there is transport provided for your luggage so all you have to carry with you is food and water, a camera and a swimsuit.

Variable duration

There are a few other places that have optionally long walks, so you can get yourself a day trip or a week long trip depending on what you fancy. In the Melkriver Hiking Route (in Vaalwater about 2 hours north of Pretoria) you can, for example, pay R80 for a 1 day hike or R400 for a 6 day hike.

For something a little different you can go Kloofing, (like caving but in an open canyon instead) in the Nuy River Gorge. These 1 or 2 day excursions are quite a lot of fun and includes abseiling, boulder hopping, bivouacking (camping with a tent) and swimming. This can cost as much as R850 but this includes a guide and meals.

Safety first

Remember, if you plan on doing one of the more rigorous trails then it is recommended then you bring all the Ten Essentials along with you. These include:

1. Map

2. Compass (optionally supplemented with a GPS)

3. Sunglasses and sunscreen

4. Extra food and water

5. Extra clothes

6. Headlamp/flashlight

7. First aid kit

8. Fire starter

9. Matches

10. Knife

Some camps have a targeted focus like religious study, academics, and competitive sports. Camps often focus on specialties that include: adventure, art, computer, dance, music, religion, horse riding, sports, theatre, and many others. There are overnight summer camps with a focus on self-improvement, weight loss and grief counseling.

Basically, if you can think of any subject of interest, there’s probably a camp that specializes in it. The camp you choose for your child will provide a lifetime of good memories and will be truly rewarding. There are overnight summer camps that are co-ed camps, boy’s camps, girl’s camps or brother-sister camps where boys and girls may have separate venues and activities.

Overnight summer camp is also known as a sleepaway camp when campers spend their nights at the camp; some camps do allow both daytime and overnight campers. There are popular overnight summer camps in every state in the U.S. and every province in Canada; there are camps in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and just about every country in the world. Selecting the right camp that fits into your child or teen’s interests, special interests, needs, special needs and abilities will be one of the first steps

Although camp counselor jobs don’t usually pay very well, usually minimum wage or less, counselors receive free room and board; many take the job primarily for the camping experience. Camps should have at least a 40% to 60% return staff ratio, which shows that the camp is seen as a good place to spend a summer. There are many types of overnight summer camps with a focus on education that cater to students with differing ages and academic interests.

Children or teens could typically explore subjects new to them like marine science, photography, creative writing, community service, drama, magic, scuba diving, video production, comic book design, crime scene forensics, cooking, yoga, rappelling, etc. Non-profit camps often range from $1200 to $3000 for four weeks and $2500 to $5000 for eight weeks. Do you think, if you have more than one child, they would they benefit from attending the same summer camp together?

The best overnight summer sports camps do much more than just improve a camper’s soccer, tennis, lacrosse, or wrestling skills - they help each child become a more skillful athlete, a more gracious competitor, a more committed team player, and a more confident person. The reputation of an overnight summer camp can also be determined by asking what percentage of counselors returned from the previous year. Get to know the camp director from an in-person visit to your home if possible, phone conversations, email or other correspondence.

Four weeks at a good private overnight summer camp or sleepaway camp will cost anywhere from $3500 to $6500, and eight weeks will range from $4000 to $7000. Some camps are often called adventure camps - having a very specific theme or interest; many of these programs emphasize skill development and personal growth through the adventures the offer. Consider these industry-recommended guidelines - for smaller children ages 7 and 8, there should be one counselor for every six campers; by age 15, there should be one counselor for every 10 campers.

If you spend the time needed to research your options and include your child in all the decisions, he or she will most likely have a memorable experience that provides opportunities to grow while having a lot of fun and making new friends. Typically an overnight summer camp experience will leave a lot of wonderful memories for the child or teen camper. Homesickness is a frequent problem, but with a caring camp counselor most campers adjust easily. Choosing a camp close to home will save a lot of money on airfare and possible hotel or motel overnight stays for a parent, or other transportation costs; this is especially true if your child might get a case of homesickness and want to come home early from the overnight summer camp.

The first spring day that I can hike without my coat motivates me to grab my large backpack and prepare for a long trek.

Personal commitments prevent me from getting out in the back country until next month, but it’s never too soon to get ready for the great outdoors.

I blog repeatedly about my favorite suppliers and have a page on my blog dedicated to the resources I use entitled “Reliable Products for Sustainable Living,” (November 8, 2008, but continuously updated). This is a good opportunity to order items that need to be replaced. Most important, taking the following steps has ensured that my extended stay in nature is the fun side of adventure.

1. Make a checklist. My pocket survival kit is a good start, but you need to think about what gear you plan to take including, sleeping bag, inflatable sleeping pad, tent, camp stove, fuel, food, water, clothing and other essentials.

2. Examine your gear. Unfold your tent and check the seams. Make sure there are no tears in your sleeping bag, check your backpack frame and straps, test your camp stove, sharpen your knife and replenish first aid kit items. Make sure your clothing and shoes fit correctly.

3. Study maps and routes. Make sure you have the most updated maps. Trails may be rerouted due to changes in land ownership, severe weather or other reasons. It’s not unusual for unmarked trails to be overgrown or for new unmarked trails to be created. In many areas, trails that are navigable in one season may not be navigable in another season.

4. Determine how much weight you’re willing to carry. One gallon of water weights 8 pounds, almost 4 kilograms. If you do not have access to potable water, you either have to carry it or carry water purification materials. Add the weight of your gear, tools, food and items like a camera, journal, and cell phone - and it’s an easy 35-50 pounds or 16-23 kilograms.

5. Leave information on your planned route with family or friends. Aron Ralston, the climber who cut off his arm to survive a fall, told interviewers that his biggest mistake was not letting anyone know where he was going. No one knew where to look for him. Cell phone signals are not always reliable, especially in mountains and canyons. Even the most experienced and careful outdoors person can get into trouble.

6. Have a contingency plan. Nature is unpredictable. Once you get out on the trail, the planning continues. Make a mental or written note of where you find patches of edible plants, accessible water, and good shelter locations as you hike. The best way to stay out of a survival situation is to practice what you’d do if you were in a survival situation. If you have access to a wooded area, practice building a debris shelter, making a hand drill fire or twisting dogbane fibers into rope. You don’t have to master these skills, but knowing what is possible is often the difference between survival and disaster.

7. Check local weather conditions. This may still not be enough, as I discovered on October 4, 1987, when the weather forecast for rain turned out to be 12-15 inches of snow. I had the right gear, but it was still a 3-hour hike down a mountain to safety. The danger in that situation was the snow-ladened trees had not dropped their leaves and when branches broke, the weight could cause injury.

8. Check and recheck every item you plan to take. Lighters and flashlight batteries are light-weight; it’s a good idea to pack extras. Larabars have no refined sugar, last up to 9 months, and are an excellent alternative when you cannot prepare food.

9. Become familiar with local flora and fauna. Study field guides and well-organized websites, so you have an idea of what lives where you will be backpacking. Wild edibles in season make a delicious supplement to purchased foods. In a survival situation insects and small animals that are easy to catch could be the survival difference. Again, you don’t have to eat them, but knowing what is and is not edible and having a general idea of how to prepare wild foods is valuable. I have fun discovering new foods.

10. Carry an appropriate garbage container. In the back country you need to carry out what you carry in, so make sure you have a container that you can seal to avoid contaminating the other items in your pack. Biodegradable toilet paper is an alternative, but you will still have food wrappers and other products that cannot ethically be left behind.

Happy Trails.