LightBackpacking.com

The little things make a big difference on the trail. Bathing (getting the trail dust off) is one them — even though I don’t do too much bathing when on short (two-day) backpacks.

Diving into a lake or splashing your face in a cool stream are two of the more refreshing ways to get the dust off.

A bandana and Paper Soap or Paper Shampoo works great, too.

For 2 ounces, you get soap and a bandana that works as a sling, sweat band, a filter to keep out debris when filling your water bottle from a mucky lake or stream and a wash rag. To name just a few uses.

As a reminder: a basic credo of light backpacking is to take gear that has multiple uses so you can cut down on the gear you take. Less gear = less weight.

Be light. Be safe. Be one with the pack.