Bushwalk Australia

Lol, i Just read this on Andrew Skurka's blog.
"I even urinate while walking" as a timesaving tip
C'mon honey..........
Smell the roses (apple cider anyone?)
And seeing I've posted this in the 'Equipment' section - how do people (XX chromasome endowed) find the Shee-Wee's and Go-Girls?
I have bought a pretty purple specimen, yet to be trialled!
(PS I intend to buy another as my work 'Secret Santa' gift - they're a bunch of pretty conservative veterinarians and nurses, so I hope to get a laugh or two)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBLRY9CKB1o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0QF8Uc8VA0

I would never have expected this thread to be started by someone of your gender....
The need for anyone not magnificently endowed to have to turn a bit sideways would strike me as a bit of a stopper (pun intended) on this one.
Besides many hikes are in very cold climes....

Re the "implements" you refer to, I obviously have no experience with them, but I would question their value particularly given that once used, they present a cleaning problem. Do you return them discreetly to your pack to rub against your clothes and sleeping bag, or alongside your water bottle in a side pocket??
I think any "convenience" is lost when you consider their practicalities. Still they probably are a good conversation starter - and they're not affected by the cold!

Ahh, Jacko. You base your comment on a false premise. Whilst urine IS a bodily waste product, it is normally sterile. Whilst conceptually it might be unpleasant to consider storing your " funnel" with your clothes/water whatever, it won't cause any harm.

I'd be interested to know how well the funnel gadgets work. I have a wife and 4 daughters, and the main reason my wife gave up ski touring was the issues with having a pee at night.

Andrew A

jacko1956 wrote:I would question their value particularly given that once used, they present a cleaning problem.

I have see two versions. A disposable one, which solves the cleaning issue, and a fancy plastic one (I assume the one this post is about) that comes complete with a small plastic case that clicks shut. Problem solved!

I have a Go Girl. It is the only chamo thing i own because it is a bit more discreet than pink, purple or some of the lurid colours they come in.
It is not obvious that a woman standing beside a tree with her back to the road is also going to the toilet.
It is awkward to use and I always try to hold on in the hope of finding a thick stand of trees to use but the Go Girl beats unintentionally mooning drivers and other walkers or peeing your pants while busting if you trip or sneeze or laugh.
Go Girl came with a plastic bag to carry it in after use but it is so gross I wash it at the first opportunity, sometimes I use my drinking water to rinse it so i don't have to carry it around dirty. I'm cringing writing about it.
Although, there is one good aspect to using a Go Girl. I don't worry so much about being bitten on the butt by a snake.

andrewa wrote:... gave up ski touring was the issues with having a pee at night.

Haven't used it in the snow or inside a tent yet but it certainly would make it easier to use a pee bottle without freezing your butt off. Still might not be practical while sharing a small tent.

by andrewa
Ahh, Jacko. You base your comment on a false premise. Whilst urine IS a bodily waste product, it is normally sterile. Whilst conceptually it might be unpleasant to consider storing your " funnel" with your clothes/water whatever, it won't cause any harm.

While i think it's generally true in the absence of a urinary tract infection (though some studies apparently refute this), according to .... Wikipedia(! But i think you'll also find it in more reputable sources if you have the time):

"Urine is sterile until it reaches the urethra, where epithelial cells lining the urethra are colonized by facultatively anaerobic Gram negative rods and cocci.[4] Subsequent to elimination from the body, urine can acquire strong odors due to bacterial action"

Don't want that on my gear, ta
Mind you, I have considered it, and in Tassie, there wouldn't usually be too much trouble finding a bit of water to rinse it with

Tortoise,

I would have thought that 'marking' your pack like that would help stop critters attacking it for food inside.

you'd have to clean the funnel thoroughly between use if you dont want odors.... minerals and nitrogen containing urine break down and bacteria will flourish, you will get that distinct smell you get anywhere urine has been left lying around in the open...

My wife and some friends each took a "Wizz Bizz" on a bushwalk a couple of years ago. My wife was the only one that ended up using hers on the trip (they all practised at home before the walk). She found it worked well, abeit a bit awkward, as you'd expect. It does take practice to get the technique right to avoid drips where you don't want them.

Details of this trip (including use of the wizz bizz) here: viewtopic.php?f=42&t=5940

Son of a Beach wrote:My wife and some friends all took a "Wizz Bizz" on a bushwalk a couple of years ago. My wife was the only one that ended up using it on the trip (they all practised at home before the walk).

Are you suggesting they SHARED it?

madmacca wrote:Tortoise,

I would have thought that 'marking' your back like that would help stop critters attacking it for food inside.

There's a thought!
I won't confess how far I didn't go from my tent inner one blizzardy night... Can't remember the critter situation, tho.
(Is that a silly thing to post on this forum??)

Strider wrote:Are you suggesting they SHARED it?

No. (I've now modified my post to make that a little clearer).

madmacca wrote:Tortoise,

I would have thought that 'marking' your pack like that would help stop critters attacking it for food inside.

Haha if you 'mark' your pack, you're more likely to have other critters come along and claim it as their own too (hopefully not the human kind!!)
Look at dogs - one pees, then the next comes to mark on top of it, even if it's only a couple of drops. Bears scratch on a tree - the next comes along and tries to make claw marks higher to show they're bigger. Guys when they're drunk try to do the same thing- see who can pee the longest name in running writing

I think after I use my Go-Girl I'll rinse it out and discretely return it to it's tube. Practise is needed beforehand before testing 'in the wild'

All the FUDs I've seen are - supposedly - quick dry. Most claim to dry with a quick shake (just like the blokes, although in my experience that isn't all that effective).

But I've still to work up the nerve to actually use mine in the bush.

north-north-west wrote:Most claim to dry with a quick shake (just like the blokes, although in my experience that isn't all that effective).

Yup, you've got us there!

I've noticed that men always give the petrol pump nozzle a little shake when they've finished too....must be a guy thing

That's just a quick bit of entertainment.

Here is my candid input. I have used both the GoGirl and the Whiz Freedom.

The GoGirl was too soft for me and I couldn't get a good seal on the back where it is crucial. I did like the larger funnel and lip but the spout was quite short.

The Whiz Freedom was a bit harder and therefore easier to get a seal by just holding the base of the funnel rather than the instructed GoGirl method of using thumb and forefinger on the top and bottom of the funnel lip. The Whiz I can just push against my pubis with one hand and the seal is good. The spout is longer too which means I worry less about whether it will extend beyond my fly as I did with the GoGirl.

I have had only one misadventure with the Whiz, where the seal wasn't made at the back so all the overflow went down my legs and soaked my pants. I think the problem was a combination of waiting too long until the need to wee was urgent, pushing too hard with the Whiz and so undermining the seal and lack of flow control. The latter is the MOST important factor in avoiding backflow. In that situation I took off my shorts, doused them in water and wrung them out only to dilute the urine smell. I am always well hydrated so my urine is not very strong smelling.

I intend to buy a few more different types including the terrifyingly open-topped P-Style and provide a comprehensive comparative review.

Regarding sanitation, I do not worry about this too much. I keep my FUD in a snaploc bag in my pocket. They do dry with a shake and any excess is so minimal that its not really any different to men not washing their hands after weeing, which I doubt many of them do. In the bush I'm prepared to get a bit dirty and urine is really not a concern of mine at all.

I do not like to squat as I cannot guarantee a single stream of urine and end up having some misdirected down my leg no matter what I try. I have had success standing to pee without a device, just by hoiking everything up so my urethra points forwards but this is very risky and should only be attempted after much practice or when inebriated. I would ultimately like to perfect this technique but don't think it will ever be reliable, though now I have survived hiking in company after thoroughly wetting my pants I am less worried about the consequences.

Thank you Wolfix for being so candid
<3

Well, how will we learn if we don't tell the full story?

I should add that because I wear men's pants I have to undo the fly and pull them down a little in order to get the FUD In properly. My bottom is still covered and its better than having to totally remove my pants!

In the tent I kneel and use a wide mouth Nalgene bottle or if I'm using my MSR Gear Shed I just squat in the part without the floor. It's totally sheltered and if I'm on thick grass everything just soaks to the under carpet anyway so it's not like I'm stepping or kneeling in a puddle the next morning. I'm not squeamish about urinating.

thank god you didnt include photos...

That's a good idea actually. Next time
I will include photos. Thanks Wayno.