Hair Care...dreadlocks while hiking

[Dirty Feet]

I have had my dreads for about a year this month, give or take. (May-June) I've done alot of traveling and being a dirty kid with the dreadies, however, I've grown quite proud and attatched to them over the year as I take care of them more. I've seen, and heard of a few dreadies that have hiked, thru-hiked the trail and I'm wondering if there is anything to be done specifically for the dreadlocks as far as keeping them clean, and most importantly, bug free. The added dynamic of being in a thru-hike setting for several months does change my regimine for taking care of them dramatically. I've used rubbing alchohol on the nape of my neck in the past, and I check for ticks more extensivley than most due to the dreads. Any other dread heads out there with an expereince to share, or advice on the subject? I'm afriad wearing repelling oils in the hair and scalp will not be enough. I plan on thru-hiking in the 08' season.

[Appalachian Tater]

http://tinyurl.com/2tu39y

[fiddlehead]

I started my dreads on my '96 thru of the PCT and still have them.
Have completed that thru and 3 more since then plus some overseas thrus.
I shampoo my hair just like i did before i had dreads.
They are not dirty. (even my Thai wife who takes 3 showers a day and is into cleanliness more than most will attest to this) She would not allow me to have dirty hair.
I will say that my dreads are a lot thinner than they used to be. I am getting older, my hair grows a lot slower than it used to, and (probably the most important reason:) my 1 1/2 yr. old son loves to pull on them and breaks them off. So, i now have about half of what i used to have.
I do keep them thin by ripping thicker ones in half from time to time. I believe the thicker clumps are harder to keep clean.
One problem with ripping out while hiking is that they tend to get between the pack and my back when i put it on so i must be careful to keep them out of the way. This would again cause them to break off. Your age looks like it will allow you to grow them back fast though.
On the AT, i usually hit a town and a good shower and hair shampoo on average of once a week if not a little sooner.
Also, while hiking, i like to go for a swim when i get the chance.
Anyway, ignore the abuse you will most likely get here on whiteblaze. You can PM me if you have any other questions. Dreads are not so rare out there and are not necessarily dirty things. Go with your gut feeling and HYOH.

[Blister]

Bravo!!!
I can't believe you started growing them back in 96, its been along time!

[Rosco]

:D:eek:


http://tinyurl.com/2tu39y

Easiest fix.;)

[Dirty Feet]

BLISTER!!! OMG!!!! I remember you!! I was hanging out with Mala in Colorado last summer for the Rainbow Gathering, I met you and Pack Rat on your triple crown! We stayed with Sam in Steamboat? I met everyone at Trail Days (after some crazy train hopping and hiking experiences, Mala took me under his wing along with Jester and The Dude) and then travled with Mala for the summer, the AT expereince has stuck with me for so long, so here I am, planning my first thru-hike, nice to see you on here!

SOO - the dreads. I keep mine very clean, spraying with an apple cider vinegar, rosemary, sage, neem and nettle leaf tincure when not being washed and rolling them most everynight. I do have some that are pretty thick, and would like to split them, they're not very long, so they won't be getting caught in my pack (yet, they're only about a year, so they're still sort of shoulder length)

Anyway, I'm just wondering if there should be any concern or if there is anything to do to protect them from the elements if you will, I've grown quite 'parent like' protective of them. The first one that fell out, I cried! AHaha - then of course gave it to someone special, so weird, but it was my dread man, there's alot of love in that clump of hair!

[Roland]

I must be getting old.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

OK, I'll admit it -- I'm old and clueless --- How do you get your hair to stay twisted into dreadlocks? Does the process damage the hair? (I note some mention breakage).
::: Dino contemplates getting dreadlocks, but knows he-dino would likely run screaming from she-dino :::

[Nightwalker]

I must be getting old.

Welcome to my world. Better than the not getting old option, however. :)

[Roland]

Welcome to my world. Better than the not getting old option, however. :)


Yep, you're right, Nightwalker. Getting old beats the alternative.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

::: Dino consults DirtNap for views on alternative :::

[Jaybird]

I have had my dreads for about a year this month, give or take. (May-June) I've done alot of traveling and being a dirty kid with the dreadies, however, I've grown quite proud and attatched to them over the year as I take care of them more.............................................. ............................




i thought you guys SHAVED your heads @ the end of your hike...stuffed the "dreads" in a jar & proudly displayed them on a shelf!:D

[berninbush]

OK, I'll admit it -- I'm old and clueless --- How do you get your hair to stay twisted into dreadlocks? Does the process damage the hair? (I note some mention breakage).
::: Dino contemplates getting dreadlocks, but knows he-dino would likely run screaming from she-dino :::

I've never had dreadlocks (at least not intentionally! :D Maybe once or twice I formed one by accident....) but as I understand it, they are made by binding the hair together until it tangles/fuses and actually grows together. The individual hairs biodegrade and melt into one big solid lock of hair. I think once you get them started, they keep on fusing at the roots (correct me if I'm wrong).

My very hairy dog used to get these when the dense fur on her back legs would tangle and fuse. They are impossible to comb out; they can only be clipped out. If someone with dreads decides they don't want them any more, I think they pretty much have to shave their head and start over.

I never considered what they'd be like to care for during hiking, but I can understand why you'd want to keep them free of dirt and burrowing wildlife as much as possible. :D

My only comparable experience was when I was in Jamaica and a nice local lady braided corn rows for me (multiple French braids from the front to the back of my scalp, with the excess braids falling behind my shoulders-- I've got very long hair). When she'd done them, I understood why so many Jamaicans wore such hairstyles... it was wonderfully cool and comfortable, and kept my hair out of the way. I think it also made it easier to cope with long hair in an environment where showers were hard to come by. But when I did shower, I found I could shampoo the braids just as I normally did my hair, and they came clean.

[Dirty Feet]

i thought you guys SHAVED your heads @ the end of your hike...stuffed the "dreads" in a jar & proudly displayed them on a shelf!:D


HAHAahAha!!! Don't forget we also grind them up and turn them into wine and then toast other dreadie thru-hikers that may come our way throughout the years! Hmmm....tastes like trail...

You don't have to completley shave your head, they can be clipped out, and you're left with just really short hair. The first two inches (give or take) of your roots, will never dread, so it's just a really big hair cut when one is ready to be rid of them. I started mine with braids, over time they become dreads and they will grow as such.

[Nightwalker]

How do you get your hair to stay twisted into dreadlocks?

I've always been curious about that as well. I've always thought the baby dreads, a.k.a. "worm hair" to be one of the coolest looking things in the world.

Normally, I keep my hair too short to even comb, but when it grows, it just turns afro on its on. The dreadlocks look a lot less hot to deal with to me.

Screw the folks making fun of you. Some folks would make fun of Mother Theresa pushing a kid in a wheelchair.

[damush]

get a damn haircut.

[Chaco Taco]

Just an explanation of how they work. When you initially do them, its called backcombing. You brush with a metal comb towards the scalp causing the hair to mesh together. First of all, dreads are not "dirty" as some people would think.

I have heard of people using Dr Bronners to keep them clean on the trail. It also keeps them tight. Good luck

[saimyoji]

get a damn haircut.

Not till you grow 'em long, clean and manageable. Locks4love. Give your hair to those who have none. All you do is blow dope smoke on yours anyways....:rolleyes:

[Flinx]

Cate is that you?????????

http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2007/08/07/cate_blanchett_stops_washing_her_hair

[minnesotasmith]

http://tinyurl.com/2tu39y

:clap :clap :clap

You can't be an ultralighter (or even a thruhiker who honestly can say he's purged every gram from his load that's not useful for hiking) with long-@ss hair.

[Monkeyboy]

You could do what Robin Williams did with the cook in "Club Paradise" and just put a big chefs hat over them.....

:)

[superman]

Dreds are nasty. Yet another reason to avoid shwelters.

[superman]

Schwelter are summer shelters.:-?

[Trailbender]

I got mine by just stopping combing. Also, I do not use shampoo anymore, it has a lot of harsh chemicals in it and it gave me allergic reactions. I wash my hair with warm water, and have never had a problem with it. Your scalp is actually self cleaning.

[Phoenixdadeadhead]

I learned an important lesson years ago while at a Gathering. TEATREE OIL, it does wonders for keeping away bugs. If you don't believe me go down the pet isle and look at the ingredients of a flea collar. I am a hairy fool, well not so much anymore lol, my hair started running away so I shaved my head. Next time you go to a gathering stock up too, teatree keeps away some really bad bugs if you know what I mean

[Lone Wolf]

the only people that should wear dreads are Rastafarians not rich white kids from connecticut. they're just wannabe trustafarians

[Feral Bill]

[
SOO - the dreads. I keep mine very clean, spraying with an apple cider vinegar, rosemary, sage, neem and nettle leaf tincure when not being washed and rolling them most everynight. I do have some that are pretty thick, and would like to split them, they're not very long, so they won't be getting caught in my pack (yet, they're only about a year, so they're still sort of shoulder length)


To a bear that treatment would smell like condiments. I'd lose the yummy smells.

Of course I'm way too lazy to have long, high maintenance hair.

[Jayboflavin04]

I have curly hair and have always wanted long hair. I tried letting it grow long once and got tired of it had my friend "jenbutt" shave it. The next day she told me she could have given me dreads........bout killed her. I think tastefully done well maintained dreads are sweeeeet. I dont smoke the buddha by the way, but dont give a crap if anyone does.

[fiddlehead]

the only people that should wear dreads are Rastafarians not rich white kids from connecticut. they're just wannabe trustafarians

There are cultures a lot older than the Rastafarians that grow dreads.
Like this guy, who is a holy man in India: http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg201/fiddleheadpa/BABBA.jpg

Or, here's one on a pilgrimmage in Nepal and joined us for a few miles.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg201/fiddleheadpa/a0143.jpg

[World-Wide]

I have had my dreads for about a year this month, give or take. (May-June) I've done alot of traveling and being a dirty kid with the dreadies, however, I've grown quite proud and attatched to them over the year as I take care of them more. I've seen, and heard of a few dreadies that have hiked, thru-hiked the trail and I'm wondering if there is anything to be done specifically for the dreadlocks as far as keeping them clean, and most importantly, bug free. The added dynamic of being in a thru-hike setting for several months does change my regimine for taking care of them dramatically. I've used rubbing alchohol on the nape of my neck in the past, and I check for ticks more extensivley than most due to the dreads. Any other dread heads out there with an expereince to share, or advice on the subject? I'm afriad wearing repelling oils in the hair and scalp will not be enough. I plan on thru-hiking in the 08' season.

Always lean towards the high-n-tight! :D In 2010 when I set off on the A.T. I will not get a haircut or shave for the entire hike. Not focusing on "dreads," but good luck to you!

[Trailbender]

the only people that should wear dreads are Rastafarians not rich white kids from connecticut. they're just wannabe trustafarians

No, study history sometime. My Irish and Scandanavian ancestors wore dreadlocks, as well as cavemen. Basically, everyone had dreadlocks before combs were used.

[john gault]

No, study history sometime. My Irish and Scandanavian ancestors wore dreadlocks, as well as cavemen. Basically, everyone had dreadlocks before combs were used.
I've never read that in any history book I read from that time period. Not saying they did not have dreadlocks, but it's not something readily found in history books...why you ask...because it's not really all that significant. Please enlighten us, did they wear dreadlocks out of some cultural significance or because combs weren't that common?

Cavemen cooked meat on stones should we do the same...:rolleyes:

[Trailbender]

I've never read that in any history book I read from that time period. Not saying they did not have dreadlocks, but it's not something readily found in history books...why you ask...because it's not really all that significant. Please enlighten us, did they wear dreadlocks out of some cultural significance or because combs weren't that common?

Cavemen cooked meat on stones should we do the same...:rolleyes:

He was stating that dreadlocks were only a black hairstyle. I was correcting that misconception. I don't know why they wore dreadlocks, might have been the lack of combs.

[Gray Blazer]

I vacuum mine once a week. Will post pic tomorrow.

[john gault]

He was stating that dreadlocks were only a black hairstyle. I was correcting that misconception. I don't know why they wore dreadlocks, might have been the lack of combs.
So what's the history behind dreadlocks?

I don’t believe one gets dreadlocks from lack of combing. I believe if one doesn’t comb their hair for a long time they will end up with severely tangled hair, which is NOT the same thing as dreadlocks. And I would also imagine that people with thicker hair would end up with it more matted and the hair would tend to stick up in the air and out to the sides with very large knots, as opposed to the hanging strands of dreadlocks twisted by human hands.

I’d be curious if any one knows the history of dreadlocks, I imagine people started them because it was more manageable to have dreadlocks than to have naturally uncombed hair. Or maybe the origins do lie in some cultural vice utilitarian motivation. However, nowadays it’s just another one of those things people do to get attention -- no other reason, but to get attention.

[Trailbender]

So what's the history behind dreadlocks?

I don’t believe one gets dreadlocks from lack of combing. I believe if one doesn’t comb their hair for a long time they will end up with severely tangled hair, which is NOT the same thing as dreadlocks. And I would also imagine that people with thicker hair would end up with it more matted and the hair would tend to stick up in the air and out to the sides with very large knots, as opposed to the hanging strands of dreadlocks twisted by human hands.

I’d be curious if any one knows the history of dreadlocks, I imagine people started them because it was more manageable to have dreadlocks than to have naturally uncombed hair. Or maybe the origins do lie in some cultural vice utilitarian motivation. However, nowadays it’s just another one of those things people do to get attention -- no other reason, but to get attention.

I stopped combing my hair, and they turned into dreadlocks within about 8 months. My hair is thick and curly, and it has formed dreadlocks. They lay flat, they don't stick up everywhere. I got mine because the maintenance is easy, I stopped combing my hair, I don't do palmrolling or the hours of maintenance with beesewax or any of that other crap. It is a very efficient hairstyle. All I do is every couple of months, tie it back in a ponytail, grab it in my fist, and chop off anything that sticks past.

I know several other people who got dreadlocks by simply not combing their hair. It is called the neglect method.

http://fromgrandmaskitchen.com/Natural-Hair-Beauty/articles/3762/1/Ways-to-Grow-Dreadlocks---Freeform-Organic-Neglect-Dreadlocks/Page1.html

[john gault]

Out of curiosity I read a little about dreadlocks besides your link. And from what I gather the "organic" (or whatever you want to call it) is not really dreadlocks. It's just uncombed hair. And if you look at pics of dreads those locks are handmade.

This link pretty much covers some history of dreads and the meaning to some people, which runs kind of deep. And it's obvious to me that people that wore dreadlocks didn't just simply stop combing their hair.
http://www.assatashakur.org/forum/afrikan-wholistic-health/30999-history-dreadlocks.html

It's a really long write-up so I'll just post some excerpts:

Dreadlocks have been a part of the history of every spiritual system. From Christianity to Hinduism, locked hair has been been a symbol of a highly spiritual person who is trying to come closer to God(s). If one is to research the spiritual history and meaning of locks, they will be mentioned in all holy books (the biblical Sampson wore his hair in dreadlocks, and his unsurpassed strength was lost when Delilah cut off his seven locks of hair) and cultures. Dreadlock's roots are commonly traced back to Hinduism and the God Shiva, but stops there. Meanwhile, most people recognize that dreadlocks have their origin in Africa , but nobody seems to know where, how or why! As with everything else, the true origins of dreadlocks can be found in Kemet ( Africa ).

Dreadlocks carry a very heavy spiritual meaning that is virtually unknown in today's modern society. Now worn as a fashion statement, a political message, or as a rebellion, many people, young and old alike, have no idea what dreadlocks mean spiritually, and they do not know the position they are putting themselves in by having locked hair. Dreadlocks carry the notion of devotion and sacrifice to the Deities, according to the spiritual rules, says Master Naba, the only Dogon/Kemetic priest who has been commis-sioned by the committee of elders in Africa to bring initiatic knowledge outside of trad-itional initiation camps. Dread-locks carry a very heavy spiritual bur-den. It is only people that have conscious-ly decided to take a vow of purity and to follow all of the seventy-seven commandments and apply them to all aspects of their lives that should wear dreadlocks. People of any race or gender can wear them, because spirit-ually we are the same, but the one who has dreadlocks must understand the spiritual meaning behind them if they do not want to face negative consequences.

Consequences for wearing dreadlocks? But most people in the modern societies have no clue, other than their own personal imaginations and definitions, what having dreadlocks means! According to the Kemetic initiation, the oldest and most authentic spiritual system mankind has ever known, one must devote themselves to purity and follow the seventy-seven commandments at all times. This is a heavy responsibility! The seventy-seven commandments are spiritual laws given to humanity from the Gods so that we can create the world that we want to see and come close to their world. They include not getting angry, not gossiping, and not hurting another being, human or non-human. How many of those in the modern societies who have locked hair do not eat meat? How many people with locks do not talk about people behind their backs, gossip, and have hot tempers? How many dreads out there can honestly say that they follow the seventy-seven commandments? Very few!


BTW, I don't care that you wear "dreadlocks", my only point was that it's not something you easily find in history books. And now that I've looked, albeit only a little look, I still can't find anything about the peoples of Ireland or Northern Europe (Scandinavia) that wore dreadlocks. Not saying they didn't, but it's not something that is easily found in any history book.

[Luddite]

Dreadlocks don't mean anything. Its knotty hair, it looks cool.

[Trailbender]

Out of curiosity I read a little about dreadlocks besides your link. And from what I gather the "organic" (or whatever you want to call it) is not really dreadlocks. It's just uncombed hair. And if you look at pics of dreads those locks are handmade.

This link pretty much covers some history of dreads and the meaning to some people, which runs kind of deep. And it's obvious to me that people that wore dreadlocks didn't just simply stop combing their hair.
http://www.assatashakur.org/forum/afrikan-wholistic-health/30999-history-dreadlocks.html

It's a really long write-up so I'll just post some excerpts:

Dreadlocks have been a part of the history of every spiritual system. From Christianity to Hinduism, locked hair has been been a symbol of a highly spiritual person who is trying to come closer to God(s). If one is to research the spiritual history and meaning of locks, they will be mentioned in all holy books (the biblical Sampson wore his hair in dreadlocks, and his unsurpassed strength was lost when Delilah cut off his seven locks of hair) and cultures. Dreadlock's roots are commonly traced back to Hinduism and the God Shiva, but stops there. Meanwhile, most people recognize that dreadlocks have their origin in Africa , but nobody seems to know where, how or why! As with everything else, the true origins of dreadlocks can be found in Kemet ( Africa ).

Dreadlocks carry a very heavy spiritual meaning that is virtually unknown in today's modern society. Now worn as a fashion statement, a political message, or as a rebellion, many people, young and old alike, have no idea what dreadlocks mean spiritually, and they do not know the position they are putting themselves in by having locked hair. Dreadlocks carry the notion of devotion and sacrifice to the Deities, according to the spiritual rules, says Master Naba, the only Dogon/Kemetic priest who has been commis-sioned by the committee of elders in Africa to bring initiatic knowledge outside of trad-itional initiation camps. Dread-locks carry a very heavy spiritual bur-den. It is only people that have conscious-ly decided to take a vow of purity and to follow all of the seventy-seven commandments and apply them to all aspects of their lives that should wear dreadlocks. People of any race or gender can wear them, because spirit-ually we are the same, but the one who has dreadlocks must understand the spiritual meaning behind them if they do not want to face negative consequences.

Consequences for wearing dreadlocks? But most people in the modern societies have no clue, other than their own personal imaginations and definitions, what having dreadlocks means! According to the Kemetic initiation, the oldest and most authentic spiritual system mankind has ever known, one must devote themselves to purity and follow the seventy-seven commandments at all times. This is a heavy responsibility! The seventy-seven commandments are spiritual laws given to humanity from the Gods so that we can create the world that we want to see and come close to their world. They include not getting angry, not gossiping, and not hurting another being, human or non-human. How many of those in the modern societies who have locked hair do not eat meat? How many people with locks do not talk about people behind their backs, gossip, and have hot tempers? How many dreads out there can honestly say that they follow the seventy-seven commandments? Very few!


BTW, I don't care that you wear "dreadlocks", my only point was that it's not something you easily find in history books. And now that I've looked, albeit only a little look, I still can't find anything about the peoples of Ireland or Northern Europe (Scandinavia) that wore dreadlocks. Not saying they didn't, but it's not something that is easily found in any history book.

Thanks for the information. Dreadlocks can be handmade or natural, mine are flat, not rounded. I never palmrolled them or anything, they are natural.

I didn't care really whether they formed or not. It is a low maintenance hairstyle for me, I just hack off a couple inches once in awhile and wash it. Other than putting it in a ponytail, I don't really do anything else. I prefer the efficiency of it.

Also, my hair traps more warm air in the winter, and keeps me warmer.

Anyways, I have had short hair for years in the past, I prefer long hair.