People talk less of hygiene every where, most focus on the basics, getting a fire started, making a bed that you won't freeze in, water purification.

Things then get even more complex with running traps and a myriad of skills and special items made for preparedness.

What I want to talk about is toilet paper, I think several of us know what it's like to take care of "business" once a super stressful situation calms down a bit. For example you fall out of a boat, get back in, paddle to shore, strip wet clothes, start a fire, hopefully have a spare set of clothes or a space blanket, get some warm liquids and maybe a nice high energy snack/meal to get your body heat up.

The stress wears off and all of a sudden nature reminds you that you've got something else to take care of.

I'm trying to be delicate about this, some of us have more or less hair back there and the quality of the digested matter may be a big mess. Should you be stranded or just far enough out this can lead to a sore rear and a bad mood due to the irritation.

I've been packing TP ever since I first learned this lesson, The bulk is worth it to have extra in a water resistant container or ziplock bag, some time there will be a meal or a drink even sickness not related to your food or drink that will require more than a few sheets of single ply.

I think it's worth bringing up as a separate topic and deserves some frank discussion.

BTW, I unroll the TP and re-roll it tubeless, I've considered taking just enough to fill the empty roll, as it is it stays in a ziplock bag.

I've tried folding it, but it didn't work out too well in the back pack.

I'm also interested in what you guys take with you, space saving ideas are welcome!

I don't unroll it, I just push the cardboard tube out. Then the roll will crush better. I don't carry a full roll, but maybe 1/3 roll. Better too much than not enough.

The rolls in public restrooms are often tube-less and prewound. I will occiasionally take the remnent of the roll when they're about the size of a pinky. A little trick to unroll sometimes but very easy to pack.

Baby wipes. I've used them for up to month off grid.

You must not know about backpackers toilet paper, which is tubeless, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. One role is good for about three uses on average. They come 5 in a package at Walmart or Campmor for about a dollar.

Kleenex pocket packets for hiking and emergency use in the car. And I keep a packet in my bike bag, purse and a lot of my coats have a packet in a pocket. Don't ever leave home without them.

With aloe for a sore bum....

I've just returned from a holiday in Ecuador. I'd packed a roll in my suitcase, and found it advisable to keep 12 squares or so folded and contained in a ziplock bag. That was thin enough to keep in a back pocket.

I also consider toilet paper to be one of the myriad uses for a bandanna. I try to carry at least one 35" silk, again folded into a back pocket. In extremis that can be cut into 49 5-inch squares.

In my travels to Ecuador, I always pack my own TP. What I do is carefully remove the cardboard middle, which sacrifices a few sheets, but saves the need to re-roll. I then vacuum pack the whole role, which takes most of the volume away. I also do the same thing to partial rolls, to carry around in my backpack.

Pete

On the broader topic, I am sure the veteran members of this forum must know this book.

How to Sh*t in the Woods: An Environmentally Sound Approach to a Lost Art (Paperback) by Kathleen Meyer. Its available on Amazon.

In the field in the Army, when finding yourself in need and no paper, we would cut a strip of T-shirt off and use that. A washable and reusable cloth, while disgusting, is the most durable and environmentally safe. Finding a place to wash it out may be a trick at times, though.