View Full Version : So fresh & so clean clean!
sidebackside
08-07-2010, 20:10
You ever pass those day hikers right at the end of your hike, the beginning for them, and they smell like they've bathed in cologne or perfume? Seriously...it's like the women bathe in Mary Kay or Victoria's Secret products before they hit the trail. Men...like they've just drenched themselves in after shave and cologne.
I went out this past weekend for a few days and on my way out I was almost knocked down by the smells!
yea, they're just being wierd...
Panzer
Lone Wolf
08-07-2010, 20:48
You ever pass those day hikers right at the end of your hike, the beginning for them, and they smell like they've bathed in cologne or perfume? Seriously...it's like the women bathe in Mary Kay or Victoria's Secret products before they hit the trail. Men...like they've just drenched themselves in after shave and cologne.
I went out this past weekend for a few days and on my way out I was almost knocked down by the smells!
and the point is.....?
Mrs Baggins
08-07-2010, 20:57
I've always found that the dirtier I am on a hike, the cleaner smelling some passersby seem to be. I can't smell me or any of my hiking companions no matter how rank we are, but let a freshly showered person walk by and it's like a floral shop. I really don't think they're actually wearing anything that's all that sweet smelling or heavy, it's just that for some reason we're hypersensitive to the smell of bath soap of any kind and deodorants of any scent when we're really filthy. All "clean" men who pass me have the same aroma aura of soap and shampoo and deodorant as any of the "clean" women. On our the 2nd day of our first overnight - July, hot, humid - we were headed sobo for Harpers Ferry and were passed by nobo thru-hikers, who had obviously showered and cleaned up in HF. We'd actually stop in our tracks because of the wafting of "clean" that came off of them and I'm about certain they weren't carrying or using any Mary Kay, Victoria's Secret or anything like that.
Also, if you're with a group of reeking hikers and you reek as well, you don't notice that you all reek. But the instant you get showered up and rejoin any of them before they've showered you can barely breathe for the rank odors coming off of them!
You ever pass those day hikers right at the end of your hike, the beginning for them, and they smell like they've bathed in cologne or perfume? Seriously...it's like the women bathe in Mary Kay or Victoria's Secret products before they hit the trail. Men...like they've just drenched themselves in after shave and cologne.
I went out this past weekend for a few days and on my way out I was almost knocked down by the smells!These people are probably out to meet other hikers, not to have the trail all to themselves:eek::D
When I was coming down Kathadin I passed a young lady who couldn't of been more than 21 who was going up to start here SOBO thru hike.
She had full on makeup - eyeliner, mascara - the works. Smelled like the perfume department at Macy's and was all smiles.
Great way to start the journey I suppose.
You ever pass those day hikers right at the end of your hike, the beginning for them, and they smell like they've bathed in cologne or perfume? Seriously...it's like the women bathe in Mary Kay or Victoria's Secret products before they hit the trail. Men...like they've just drenched themselves in after shave and cologne.
I went out this past weekend for a few days and on my way out I was almost knocked down by the smells!
Well trust me, I'm sure that you almost knocked them down as well.:)
Many Walks
08-07-2010, 21:44
Yes, it's oh so true. We often remarked how the day hikers smelled so "fresh" and sometimes overwhelming with cologne when we met them.....and followed that by wondering what they were saying to each other after passing us. Pretty sure fresh and cologne weren't included in the remarks.
sidebackside
08-07-2010, 23:19
Well trust me, I'm sure that you almost knocked them down as well.:)
Tu shay Tilly...I bet you're right. :)
Soon Man
08-07-2010, 23:45
Did a little out and back today to Upper Goose Pond (MA) and saw 4 NOBUs. They didn't smell bad and couldn't have been nicer. My wife and I were as fresh as daisies.
Different Socks
08-11-2010, 01:47
It's funny, this topic it is. Every hike I've done longer than 3 days, I've carried a water bag with a small shower head. Every hike i was laughed at for carrying the thing, from the At and the LT to the Ice Age to the PCT and the CDT, to the CT and the OHT. I just rather get into my bag every night without having to worry if my legs will stick together from all the sweat. Sure I could just wipe them down, but hang my bag from a knob on a tree, stand under it and minutes later I feel so refreshed and ready to make dinner.
Funny thing about all those that laughed at me: Sooner or later, one or more of them would ask me if they could use the bag to take a shower!!!
garlic08
08-11-2010, 09:30
Yes, on our first long hike my wife and I approached a trailhead on a weekend and a male mountain biker passed us in a wave of perfume. I thought that was strange, then another passed by, same odor. Why are these guys wearing perfume, I thought. "They smell like French whores--not that I know what French whores smell like, dear," I quickly added. We finally figured out it was the morning's shower, shampoo, shaving cream, and deodorant that was still fresh and we were so unaccustomed to it. We went to town and a crowded diner and they gave us a table way over in the corner to ourselves, so we figured the converse was also true.
Bare Bear
08-13-2010, 11:53
There is already a scent for hikers "Pink Blaze".
Buzz_Lightfoot
08-13-2010, 12:43
It's funny, when I am fresh out of the shower in the morning before work and I go to pet my dog, she always turns her back on me. She can't stand the smell of shampoo and deoderant.
I do not like the smell of cologne or hygiene products even now. I can't stand how some people show up for Sierra Club hikes drowning in it. I have to walk 20 feet or more behind them or try not to let them get in front of me.
Bare Bear
08-18-2010, 12:25
I will not name the female hiker I saw rubbing spruce boughs over herself "I hate it when I can not shower."
garlic08
08-18-2010, 13:21
That's funny. I like to "wash" my hands with sage in the desert--a slight amount of moisture and some mechanical friction can't hurt, and the smell is great. I never thought of rubbing it all over, and I'm glad I never did, until now....
I think I got the tip here on WB, but an easy ultralight shower is to buy a 1L Aquafina bottle and drill a couple dozen tiny holes in the cap. Buy another 1L Aqualfina bottle to use on the trail and keep your drilled cap handy for an easy squeezy mini-shower.