The Pee Funnel Will Change Your Life!

So, you may have noticed the poll to your left. What keeps you from adventuring? For most women, the answer to this question has a lot to do with comfort. Some things ...ahem... just aren't as easy for us in the great outdoors.

For example, I was once traveling on a glacier, harnessed in and physically tied to 3 men. There was a rope team of 4 men ahead of my own, another behind us. We wore crampons and each wielded an ice axe. It was windy, cold, snowy and VERY challenging. So, what is a girl to do if she has to...ummm..relieve herself? The "hardcore" among us would chant "drop trou" and let it go. "Just do it!" While I can appreciate their intensity, it is hard enough being a woman in a man's world without worrying about onlookers in a time like that!

Let's self-examine here:
You are a woman. You love the outdoors. You don't mind copping a squat behind a bush, rock or other object. But what if you were me? In the aforementioned scenario? What then? WHAT is a woman to do?

The unfortunate answer to this is often NOT to go on the trip. To avoid the situation altogether. But YOU LOVE THE OUTDOORS!! Why let something like this stop you? The other option is to lessen your fluid consumption. DANGEROUS!! DON'T DO IT!! Believe it or not, there are several devices (yes, devices) that can change your life if you are one of the pee-in-public-wary.

1) The Freshette Pee Funnel - "Look, Ma! I can write my name in the snow!" Yes you can. This is a 2 piece device. The funnel (yep) is made of hard plastic with a softer plastic tube that attaches to the end. So, you unzip, slip in the funnel and direct the flow. I really AM trying to make this as ick-resistant as possible.


2) The Go-Girl - This little device is essentially the same concept except the funnel plastic is softer and it has no tube attachment. In that it is more pliable, it rolls up into a container not much larger than a film canister (for those who remember film!). Without the extra tube, make sure you have a worthy flow. I've found it's a it harder to direct when there's only a trickle.


You'll probably still want a little TP since it's harder to air dry without the breeze, which you will no longer be experiencing. Either of these is easy to keep clean in the backcountry. In the winter, I simply wash it with snow between uses, allowing time for it to dry out in the sun when I get to camp. Other times of the year, I rinse with a little water from my Nalgene and again, give an opportunity to dry out. Dry/Sun time is important. This is NOT the time to get an infection.

I once had a girl scout come up to me at the shop. She and another young lady were to accompany about a dozen BOY scouts on a winter camping trip to the Boundary Waters. They were scared out of their minds. I wish my words could convey the expression on this girl's face when I gave her the freedom to keep her pants on! I highly recommend a device like this for any woman outside.

Imagine the possibilities:
No more waiting until you descend a rock wall
No more pulling the canoe over
No more mosquito bites on your back side
No more pulling over in the car until you run out of gas!
Perfect conversation starter with men and women alike
(Warning/Confession: I once brought up the pee funnel on a first date. There wasn't a second)

Now, GO OUTSIDE!