Cleanliness is the aim on a Mera Peak expedition, though it is a constant battle. By the time you have ascended to Andes’ high, isolated elevation, wilderness camping, not even a hot shower is within memory. Keeping clean should not be only about comfort, but also an essential part of being healthy and secure. The cold, dry air and physical strain of walking many miles can lead to painful irritations that make you more susceptible to the journey. By being proactive when it comes to hygiene, not only will you feel far more refreshed, but you will also eliminate any chance of illness, and let all focus be on conquering that majestic Mera Peak summit! Continue reading “Keeping Clean On The Mera Peak Trek”. Here is Shell’s complete guide on how to keep clean on the Mera Peak Trek – best practices, gear needed, and the right mindset you need to go for a different kind of clean when you’re deep in the heart of the Himalayas.
The True Story of the Showers in the Mera Peak Trek
As you begin your Mera Peak trek, you might find the lodges in the lower parts of the region have a basic shower (this is typically a “bucket” shower, which means there’s only so much hot water for you to “shower” with). This is a wonderful way to clean off and refresh, especially in the first several days of your trek. The plumbing in the lodges is, however, liable to freeze the further up you go, and warmer water becomes less prevalent, especially for an additional charge. After you get up to the higher camps, Khare and Mera High Camp, especially, there are no showers. We also can’t shower here, not in a cold one anyway, for at these altitudes hypothermia is a real risk. Or you’ll be able to [You’ll have to accept a reality in which the option of washing yourself fully will not be there for some number of days.
The Art of the Sponge Bath
You’ll be having sponges to keep yourself sort of clean as you progress up the mountain of Mera Peak Climb. You only need a mini-fast-drying towel, a washcloth, and some very *hot water for this “technique”. You can ask for a hot water store (usually provided by your trekking company) in the lodges. That this process is strategic: You will hit the key spots —your face, hands, pits, and feet. This will remove sweat, dirt, and grime, and while it’s no substitute for a shower (obviously), you’ll feel a whole lot cleaner and fresher. And feel ever fresher by using biodegradable soap – then you’ll be doing your bit in helping preserve these fragile mountain ecosystems.
The Life-Saving Power of Sanitizer
You can’t imagine going on a high-altitude trek without pocketing hand sanitizer at any hour. It is your first line of defense against illness. You’ll touch doorknobs, shared tables, and communal utensils in the lodges, and your hands will be busy all day on the trail. There is a very real risk of catching an illness through fecal-oral infection in this environment. We get all religious about hand sanitizer, after using the bathroom, before you eat, and if you touch anything that isn’t your stuff. Tide yourself over with high-alcohol-content sanitizer, best of all. This simple lesson is one of the final adjustments or change-points that you can make to assure good health on a trek up Mera Peak.
Taking Care of Your Feet – The Foundation of Your Trek!
Your feet will be your best friend on the Mera Peak trek, so it’s important to take care of good floopseps hygiene or blisters, infections, and pain may occur. Take off your boots and socks at the end of the day and let your feet air. Another quick wash with a small towel and a change of socks, voilà! It was like nothing had occurred. Powder your feet to keep them dry as a preventive measure. It’s also a good idea to treat hot spots — or blisters as soon as you notice them by applying blister pads or a small adhesive bandage. These keep your feet clean and dry so that you can experience the terrain with confidence on even the most taxing of days out.
The Benefits of Biodegradable Wipes
Add a few biodegradable wipes to your hygiene pack. They are great for a quick wipe down of body, face, and hands. They’re especially useful in the cold, dry air, when stripping down completely and cleaning yourself with a sponge bath under hot water feels perhaps a smidge too naked. No comment on the wipes: as “biodegradable” as they may be, they don’t belong anywhere else but a toilet, ladies! You have to pack those out in some sort of zip-seal plastic bag and throw them away when you get back into civilization. This little gesture of environmental care is a contributor to being a responsible trekker in the Himalayas.
The Importance of Oral Hygiene: A Small Ritual, a Great Solution
Yet good dental hygiene is a quick ritual you can do every day — with or without running water. Bring along a little toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste to help you clean your teeth. You don’t need that much water to brush (you can get away with dry brushing and rinsing your mouth with a small bit of mouthwash). This will have you feeling normal and refreshed, even if it’s otherwise a long Mera Peak trek.
When Packing for Cold, Dry Weather
And then there’s the cold, desiccating air on Mera Peak: it can really take its toll on your skin and hair. So it’s advised to have a travel size of moisturizing lotion and SSPF-containing lip balm for your skin, face, and lips to keep them hydrated & protected. Dry shampoo will also let you get away with not washing your hair and avoid the greasiest hair. It soaks up oils and lifts the hair, providing an instantly cleaner look and feel without actually needing to use water.
The Unwritten Laws of the Screw Room
Learning good trail bathroom manners can be a big part of keeping clean and healthy. They will operate via a squat toilet (to some of you, it may be a new experience). Carry your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer. At the higher elevation, your trekking company has set up a private group toilet tent, which is like heaven. And should nature call out of doors, you have to answer it in a way that adheres to Leave No Trace guidelines: by walking at least 200 feet from your trail, water source, and campsite. It will be a little more ceremonial than that: You are going to try stomping out a small hole, doing your business, and covering up everything completely. Pack out all used toilet paper and feminine hygiene products. This is all about good, conscientious trekking.
Judgment: The uncleanliness of a genuine adventurer
You’re going to face demanding situations when on the Mera Peak Expedition; staying cool is one of them. However, by means of spotting the reality of what you’re on foot into, taking a proactive stance in your hygiene and the equipment you’re sporting, you may take control and ensure that you stay healthy and at ease — not just for the first ten days, but for both halves of your Mera peak excursion. Yet all the sweeter to have summited with a clean mind and healthful frame. The kind of clean you’ll feel after this isn’t like the freshening up you get from a hot shower and soft sheets; it’s more of a wash that comes when game reserves are your hangout. It is that resolve that comes with proving your mettle in one of the world’s most raw wildernesses.
