Hiking Hygiene & More with Mitch Nissan

Welcome back to the Take A Hike podcast! This week, Blair Woodcock, Cherry Judge, and Luen Warneke dive into the nitty-gritty of keeping clean on the trail. Plus, we wrap up our chat with North Queensland adventure cyclist and paddler, Mitch Nissan.

If you missed part one of our interview with Mitch, hit pause and go back to last week's episode to hear all about his God's Zone challenge in New Zealand.

Bush Hygiene 101 with Luen Warneke

Spending your weekends mixing it up with snakes, spiders, and leeches doesn't mean you have to sacrifice all hygiene. Luen Warneke shares his top Leave No Trace tips for staying fresh in the bush.

Hand Sanitizer: A Dual-Purpose Hack

Did you know alcohol-based hand sanitizer gels are highly flammable? Not only do they kill germs before you eat or after you use the bathroom, but they also serve as a brilliant emergency fire starter.

Suds and Streams

When it comes to soap, leave the heavy domestic chemicals at home.

• Soap Sheets: Anaconda and Sea to Summit make wafer-thin soap leaves that dissolve instantly in your hands.
• Biodegradable Liquid Wash: Sea to Summit's multi-purpose wash is great for dishes, clothes, and hands. It is specially designed not to break the water's surface tension, meaning water-skimming insects can still survive.

Leave No Trace Golden Rule: Never wash directly in a stream! Collect your water in a cup or pot, walk 50 to 100 meters away, and do your washing there.

The Unspoken Topic: Toileting

When nature calls off-track, burying your waste (and the natural leaves you use) is standard practice - just be sure you know what a stinging gimpy-gimpy leaf looks like before you use it!

• The 70s Method: Luen shared a retro trick called "smearing" using warm rocks... we will leave that one up to you to try.
• Toilet Paper & Wipes: Pack it in, pack it out. If you use wet wipes, avoid plastic-based ones. Luen recommends Bambaroo biodegradable Bambaroo wipes. Never leave them behind; littered scenes like the western summit of Mount Bartle Frere are exactly what we want to avoid.

Mitch Nissan: Local Trails and Wild Tales

In part two of our chat, Mitch shares his favourite local spots and wild adventure stories. Currently, he is loving Clement State Forest (near Paluma National Park and Godwin's Peak) for off-track navigation practice and exploring hidden waterways.

Lilos and Leeches

Luen and Mitch actually met by chance in the middle of nowhere! Luen was at the remote summit of Mount Pieter Botte when Mitch and his mates emerged from the scrub with lilos, ready to float down Roaring Meg Creek.

Another epic trip involved a 1:00 AM start at Josephine Falls, hiking over Mount Bartle Frere, pushing off-track to the Russell River, and paddling out to Golden Hole. The cost of admission? Hundreds of leeches, including one right in an eye!

Upcoming Adventure Calendar

Looking for an excuse to get your heart racing? Here are the events on the radar:

Note: The Grin and Bear It race now includes a paddle option for those who hate the swim leg! Register at grinnbearit.com.au.

Ready to start your own adventure? Stay safe on the trails, and we will catch you next time!