We can all agree that Aunt Flo is more of a city girl. A heating pad, along with Netflix and chocolate chip cookies on delivery are the usual must-haves for her stay. But sometimes, despite our best planning, she pays us a visit in the middle of a 20 miler through the Teton National Forest.
Enter the Saalt. Not does a menstrual cup or menstrual disc save the planet, it saves you the hassle of hauling a smelly bag of used tampons in your already back-breaking pack. When it comes to figuring out your period packing list, we've got you covered—along with how-to's for handling Mother Nature with or without the convenience of a bathroom.
Planning Ahead
First, let's go over the packing list. What you choose to bring will depend on what facilities are available to you, or lack thereof, but we'll cover that below. To make sure you have all your bases covered, consider bringing the following items:
- Your menstrual cup or disc (of course!) pre-sanitized and in its storage bag
- 1-quart plastic bag, or a designated reusable plastic bag (like a Stasher bag)
- 70% Isopropyl alcohol wipes to clean your cup or disc
- Water wipes to clean yourself (optional)
- Peri bottle or another type of squeeze bottle
- Hand sanitizer
Glamping
Your trail or campground may have a porta-potty or outhouse periodically along the way (this is how you know the period gods have your back), and you can bask in the privacy when you change your menstrual cup or disc. We know, most people still consider this roughing it, but humor us just this once.
If you're just starting your period, great! Sanitize your hands, grab your cup or disc and pop it in. However, if you're mid flow, follow these steps for a seamless cup or disc change. You've got two choices to clean your it and yourself before reinsertion.
Option 1:
Grab a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe and a pack of water wipes. With clean hands, remove your cup or disc, empty the contents, and grab your alcohol wipe. Thoroughly wipe off your cup/disc, then hang onto it while you clean up with a water wipe. Stash your wipes in a plastic bag, and reinsert.
Option 2:
This one is for our zero-wasters. Fill a squeeze bottle with clean, filtered water. Remove your cup or disc, dump the contents, and use the squeeze bottle to clean your it. If needed, you can then use the remaining water in your squeeze bottle to clean yourself, then reinsert. Easy!
Roughing it
A lack of creature comforts can create an added challenge to changing your period cup, but with a little finesse it will become like second nature (pun intended). Like any other bodily function, you'll need to bury your waste.
First, dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and at least 200 feet away from any water source, then wash your hands thoroughly. Take a deep squat stance and remove your cup, emptying the contents into the hole. If you're needing to conserve water, consider opting for the wipe method. If there's plenty to spare, try the squeeze bottle method as you won't have to fuss with opening bags and packets. Insert your cup, clean your hands, then cover up the hole and be on your way!
There you have it-your complete guide to period cups in the wild! Soon enough, you won't even think to look at your period tracking app when planning your next visit to the Pacific Crest Trail because Saalt's got you covered.
