Backpacking Questions You Might Be TOO EMBARRASSED To Ask #6

That transition from pooping to peanut butter had me laughing. No way that was accidental lol

Big thanks to showing that dripping peanut butter while talking about pooping.

"Ain't nobody wanna be hearing all that" This is why we love you.

Haha, that poop to peanut butter transition, priceless. My favourite deuce dropping trick is to dig the cat hole close to a tree on its uphill side. Then you can lean your back against said tree & move your heels uphill of the drop zone. You might just be fertilizing that tree & it’s less likely others will be walking there too. (unless they use the same trick & the same tree)

For the young lady asking about post-mastectomy hiking, it is absolutely possible without discomfort. I would be glad to answer any questions if she wants to reach out privately. But you will not have to give up your passion. 💕

Your ability to be vulnerable and honest in the pursuit of service to your community is unique and extremely valuable. Please never lose that ability.

“my limited experience” says Dixie. Gee, what more experience can anyone have.

My cheapo Casio watch is probably one of my favorite pieces of gear! I use it primarily for its hourly chime function. It is much easier to set-up than my iPhone. Since it is so easy for me to lose track of time on trail, that hourly chime reminds me to drink more water, eat, and start cold soaking meals.

"a lot of hikers struggle with getting enough protein on trail" to clip of failed attempt to catch small lizard. You are funny, girl!

Go with merino wool undies! Super comfy, insulate even if damp, and are naturally anti-microbial (less stinky).

The way you transitioned from pooping to peanut butter was sheer artistry. 👏

Lots of good advice - especially for beginners. I started using a backpacking bidet and find it very nice to use instead of using a lot of toilet paper. During my last backpacking trip I used maybe 1/4 of the toilet paper I would normally use. I learned a valuable lesson when I was 16 that one should never poop on a step hill. The "log" rolled right over my hand. My best friend who I was with almost died from laughter. He still kids me about it to this day - 50+ years later.

No shame. No judgment. It can be hard to ask question for fear of looking stupid. Thank you Dixie for creating this video and continuing to help the backpacking and outdoors community. ☮️❤️🤝

Re: Backpacking after mastectomy (this is my personal experience) I agree with the OR nurse. Listen to your body. Its a huge surgery and it will take you some time to adjust. I would recommend (if it's prophylactic) to wait until after the main backpacking season to get the surgery and use the off time to recover. Long term you will have no issues, but the first year you may have to take it easy and possibly troubleshoot your gear (like finding a comfortable bra). Also, scars can burn and turn a darker shade of pink I think so for best healing you're going to want to stay covered from sun exposure. On the plus side, I rarely wear a bra as I do not feel like my implants require it and I just hate feeling constricted so you might find that your new body has its perks too! Happy trails!

As a fellow alabamian thank you for saying britches to the world. All the Young folks at work laugh at me for it lol

*Pack out your toilet paper*, even if you are allowed to bury!!! Paper takes a lot longer to break down, and trails usually see folks using the same areas. I hate digging up someone else's paper (even with dookie decomposed).

Switching to the peanut butter squeezing on to the taco while still in the pooping narrative. 😂. Genius.

I had a double mastectomy and stayed flat. I skipped reconstruction because nothing about it gets me back outside being active. There's definitely a period of adjustment from getting your nerves used to your "new" body, your lymphatic system figured out (if you had some of those removed), to the hormonal changes. In my experience, there were healing milestones where the recovery all of a sudden got significantly easier. 6 weeks, 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years. I'm 3 years out and I've got my strength back, the weirdness of nerve re-growth is gone, the fatigue. I hope the woman who wants to backpack after preventative surgery is back at it.

Dixie, you're the best. I'm a solo male hiker, and you have provided good advice and honest opinions. Really appreciate the great work you do.

To whoever asked the peanut allergy question, yes it can be done. I'm allergic to all nuts and did 1200 miles of the PCT last year with no reactions on trail. Of course, everyone's threshold to trigger a reaction is unique, but that was my experience. I carried 2 Anapens and operated on the assumption that everyone else was eating nuts, therefore all communal food or utensils were probably contaminated. Meant I missed out on occasional shared food or drink options, but not often.