WTA staff share their self-care habits on trail

Going outside, for many of us, is a form of self-care. Whether hiking, backpacking, car camping, biking, playing in the snow or going for a post-dinner stroll, getting some fresh air rejuvenates us mentally, physically and emotionally. 

But hiking and backpacking can also certainly tire us out, and when you reach your turnaround point, a particularly tough section of trail or your camp for the night, it’s nice to have a way to take care of yourself or enjoy a creature comfort.

We asked WTA staff what they do to take extra good care of themselves. Here's what they shared! 

Some art supplies

I bring make-up remover wipes to actually get the sunscreen off my face every night.

I also bring my watercolors and a tiny notebook. Not that I need an excuse, but it does encourage me to take a longer break at lunch.

— Jessi Loerch, Washington Trails editor

A good massage

I bring a lacrosse ball to massage my feet, legs and hips! And always stretch before setting up camp if I can.

— Anna Wegner, membership coordinator

A photo buddy

I tend to move slowly, but not take too many breaks. When I do take them, I take my pack off and sit, if possible, so I can stretch out my legs and flex them. That seems to help me feel more energized for the next push. Also, lots of hydration and Uncrustables. 

And taking photos of my Doughboy pal usually perks me up. 

— Catherine Vine, senior development coordinator

Some quiet time

I always have a medium of art with me to capture the landscapes I am in. Depending on the day I will bring watercolors and pens to draw, one of my film cameras to capture the magic or, for the last year, I’ve been bringing a moldable eraser and ink pads to capture the textures of the environment.

When I was crew leading on trails, my self care was waking up 30 minutes before the youth, having a hot cup of my favorite tea and listening to the world around me for 5 minutes. 

— Sarah Williams, Outdoor Leadership Training coordinator

Bright eyes

I like to take out my daily contacts and throw them away — nothing like putting in a fresh pair the next morning. (I always make sure to pack them out!) 

— Ashton Weis, senior operations coordinator

A clean smile

Back when I was the thru-hiker, dirt-bag version of myself, I kept my sawed off toothbrush and a travel toothpaste in the hip pocket of my backpack. I brushed my teeth as I walked. No matter how dirty I was, my teeth felt clean.

I also had an elaborate footcare routine that I learned from a friend who was a professional ballet dancer. I would wash my feet and do a long foot care session most nights — bonus points if I could sit on a rock somewhere beautiful while I did it.

— Michael DeCramer, senior policy and planning manager

A bittersweet treat 

I eat ice cream nearly every day. Some of the few days I don't are when I'm backpacking. While backpacking is a treat itself, I try to have a dessert-type treat when I'm spending days outside. Dark chocolate is my fix! It is packable, portable and can be divided into smaller sections. And it gives me that post-dinner sweetness I crave.

— Melani Baker, advocacy coordinator

A book nook

Reading in a beautiful place truly is my perfect day. So, bringing a book and a comfy seat make a good hike a great hike. Whether it is an extended lunch, unwinding at the end of a day or a rest day on a backpacking trip; these two items are something I bring just for me.

— Kindra Ramos, chief programs officer

A warm bath

I try to save a little hot water from dinner and/or coffee and have a warm, clean handkerchief that I use to wash my face. (I repeat for my family.) My mom used to do this for us when we camped, so I love carrying on the ritual.

— Loren Drummond, senior digital strategy manager

A cold bath

I dehydrate unscented wet wipes to carry on backpacking trips. (You can do this at home by spreading wet wipes out under the sun for a couple of hours.) Dirt clings to me, and it feels great to rehydrate them with water and give myself a full-body wet wipe bath. It gets all that day’s dirt, sweat, bug spray and sunscreen off me; just in time for a new layer tomorrow. 

Also, camp shoes! I carry a pair of sandals just to wear at camp and air out my feet. They're helpful for water crossings, too. 

— Tiffany Chou, senior communications and hiking content coordinator

Some fresh clothes

For a multiday backpacking trip, it's nice to have some way to freshen up upon returning to the car, and then have fresh clothes handy. 

— Jenn Seva, donor relations officer

A personal mantra

For the longer remote trips, I’ve downloaded a couple albums or songs onto my phone that remind me of people, places or experiences.

For brutal hikes, I create a mantra for myself that I say in my head. One is: "My body is capable of doing amazing things, and the birds are cheering you on, so keep going." 

Also, a person at NOLS taught me sometimes you "don't gotta live like that," so if you think taking a break during a brutal hike will create less time to get to your destination, or you don’t want to bring the facial wipes because it's too heavy... Well, "you don’t gotta live like that."

— MJ Mahan, senior community partnerships and leadership development coordinator

How do you practice self-care when on trail or at camp? Let us know in the comments!