View Full Version : First time section hiker--"modesty" question
This may be posted somewhere else, but couldn't find it, sorry if it is a repeat. I am about to do my first week long section hike on the AT, and was discussing with a friend the whole issue of taking "baths" (spot-washing or whatever) and changing clothes in shelters, etc. How does everyone handle these? Personally, I have little modesty and dont care about getting naked and changing clothes, but I also know a lot of people dont want to see it and plus there are kids on the trail. I can only imagine washing myself away from a stream and having a group of boy scouts turn the corner. Any suggetsions on how to avoid this or are these things just accepted on the trail?
superman
05-25-2005, 20:14
I avoid shelters but I know that people try to respect each other’s privacy how ever....
Private moments to avoid:
I rounded a bend in the trail and there was a thru hiker taking a dump on the trail.
I inadvertently interrupted a couple who needed a motel room.
I was hiking by myself and decided to inspect my chafing as another thru hiker asked how it looked.
B Thrash
05-25-2005, 20:48
This may be posted somewhere else, but couldn't find it, sorry if it is a repeat. I am about to do my first week long section hike on the AT, and was discussing with a friend the whole issue of taking "baths" (spot-washing or whatever) and changing clothes in shelters, etc. How does everyone handle these? Personally, I have little modesty and dont care about getting naked and changing clothes, but I also know a lot of people dont want to see it and plus there are kids on the trail. I can only imagine washing myself away from a stream and having a group of boy scouts turn the corner. Any suggetsions on how to avoid this or are these things just accepted on the trail?
If you are going to be up there for just a week don't worry about taking a bath. You will get rained on several times, this will be your bath. I have caught hikers taking a bath in the drinking water supply, this will get you a*s whipped real quick. If women or small kids are in the shelters don't undress in front of them, go around behind the shelter or just get out of sight of the hikers in the shelter and change. Enjoy your hike and don't sweat the small stuff.
I avoid shelters but I know that people try to respect each other’s privacy how ever....
Private moments to avoid:
I rounded a bend in the trail and there was a thru hiker taking a dump on the trail.
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You did yell out their trailname, right? Hey, Turd!
Rain Man
05-25-2005, 21:36
... Any suggetsions on how to avoid this or are these things just accepted on the trail?
If you need to change in a shelter, just ask/announce, so those there can turn their heads if they wish. If you'll be polite, they will.
Rain:sunMan
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gr8fulyankee
05-25-2005, 23:02
Well we were all born naked, so whatever!
ok, so I usually just change in my sleeping bag, as far as bathing I always carry a small facecloth and walk a good 100 feet into the woods, if some else stumbles upon you then whatever maybe they will offer to wash your back.
Just say you're going to change behind the shelter and do it there or change in your sleeping bag if you have the room.
fiddlehead
05-25-2005, 23:47
I haven't northbounded the AT in 9 years now but last time i did, we just changed. Didn't make a big deal about it, didn't ask questions, just did what we had to do. I don't remember anyone every complaining. Maybe the AT has changed that much in those 9 years but for some reason i don't think so. People tended to fart in front of others too. Nobody seemed to mind that too much either
In Nepal, there's only one water source in most of the small villages. Nepal natives are clean people, they bathe (usually) once a day. They learned how to do it without showing their body.
If your nakedness offends you, you can learn their method also. If other's nakedness offends you, turn your head.
An open mind is sometimes the best thing you can learn on the trail. fh
I avoid shelters but I know that people try to respect each other’s privacy how ever....
Private moments to avoid:
I rounded a bend in the trail and there was a thru hiker taking a dump on the trail.
I inadvertently interrupted a couple who needed a motel room.
I was hiking by myself and decided to inspect my chafing as another thru hiker asked how it looked.
good grief,a hiker was taking a dump right on the trail,thats sick,thats a sorry ass hiker to do that:cool: neo