View Full Version : To start my thru already looking like Grizzly Adams?
wesleygalles
02-04-2013, 14:49
I'm starting my thru in June-July and I already have really long hair, and by that time my beard will probably be down past my neck. I hear mixed reviews on people saying shave it all or just be a hippie and go. I'm a bit of a hippie, so of course I like the latter of the two. Give me your opinions!
barf_jay
02-04-2013, 15:07
I vote for be a hippy and go.....
BirdBrain
02-04-2013, 15:11
HYOH. Shaving has the advantage of finding ticks easier. I will be shaving. I always have a goatee, but tick defense comes 1st in my book.
I would have two concerns. June and July will be pretty hot. A big beard might make that worse. Also, some people might not be as willing to pick you up hitching to a town. However, people that live near the trail see plenty of "long haired, hippy-looking freaky people" so it might not matter. Happy trails.
RedBeerd
02-04-2013, 16:03
Be a hippy and go!!!
Slo-go'en
02-04-2013, 16:12
Shortish hair and a trim beard is a lot easier to keep clean and will be cooler. I let my hair grow out in the winter and trim it short for the summer. Shaving is a PITA, so I just keep my beard trimmed short.
SCRUB HIKER
02-04-2013, 16:18
My trail buddy 4-Beards was on Day 120 or so of his beard when he started the AT. He looked like a Civil War general by the end. That's him in the blue third from left in this picture. 19466
I say, heartily, go for it.
SCRUB HIKER
02-04-2013, 16:30
Also, for what it's worth, on the Trail you will NEVER hear someone telling you to shave your beard. People will actively dissuade you from it. The fact that two people have suggested it already shows the sometimes gaping disconnect between WhiteBlaze and reality.
Tree Nerd
02-04-2013, 16:32
I typically have short hair and a trimmed beard. I havent cut my hair or my beard since the middle of december and I keep telling myself I wont cut it till I finish my Thru.....I start July and wont be done till december.....I cant wait to see how pissed off my sister in law is going to be during my brother and hers wedding in September.
Almost There
02-04-2013, 16:56
Find a girl to hitch into town and you'll be fine! Let it grow!
max patch
02-04-2013, 17:00
It don't matter what you do.
Lone Wolf
02-04-2013, 17:19
I'm starting my thru in June-July and I already have really long hair, and by that time my beard will probably be down past my neck. I hear mixed reviews on people saying shave it all or just be a hippie and go. I'm a bit of a hippie, so of course I like the latter of the two. Give me your opinions!
why would you shave or get a haircut? i never did
why would you shave or get a haircut? i never did
I would shave only to save myself the embarrassment of a crappy beard.
Slo-go'en
02-04-2013, 18:42
19469 No problem
Couldn't afford both a hair cut and a shave, so had 1/2 of each done...
I'm 52 and haven't gotten a haircut in probably 10 years and haven't shaved since I was in high school ( I do keep my beard semi trimmed ) . I like the hippie/mountainman/biker look. Then again that sums me up. Be who you want to be.dc
BuckeyeBill
02-04-2013, 20:24
Couldn't afford both a hair cut and a shave, so had 1/2 of each done...
Very Nice LOL
Be prepared to keep yourself well groomed on the trail, daily ablutions etc, but only do it if you want to.
Blackbeard30
02-04-2013, 23:47
Let it grow
wesleygalles
02-05-2013, 00:16
Call me easy to persuade, but I'm sold. Going hairy and ending hairy!
SunnyWalker
02-05-2013, 00:28
Hyoh. Hyoh. Hyoh. Hyoh. Hyoh.
bear bag hanger
02-05-2013, 01:09
Most guys shave the day they start and then don't shave the rest of the trip. The best story I heard was a guy went into town and noticed everyone was looking at him funny. When he got his 1st look in a mirror he noticed what looked a bit strange in his beard. Turned out it was the remains of a dark colored candy bar and as best he could remember, it had been 3 days since he had eaten one.
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if you want to be different, shave. If you want to be like the crowd and look "AT Trendy", don't shave.
MDSection12
02-05-2013, 12:35
Ticks... :eek:
starbright
02-06-2013, 00:28
My son has decided to keep his gotee and long hair.
Giantsbane
02-07-2013, 09:44
I have a beard and dreadlocks. Although I like this look while I'm at home (yes I do wash my hair often) I feel like while in the woods I'll look even more wild. But that's how I want to look.
Ticks... :eek:
This is my concern, too, but come to think of it...I don't know that I've heard from anyone with ticks in their beard. Can I get some horror stories up in here?
wesleygalles
02-07-2013, 13:57
How about let's NOT get any horror stories in here. I love my beard! haha
Leviticus 19:27 (KJV)
Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.
Whatever suits you.
I am shaving until Springer and after that I'm only trimming nostril hairs.;)
And no worries BirdBrain, never seen a white tick. They can't hide.:D
Old Hiker
03-01-2013, 08:45
Any ticks I pick up never make it past "half way" up my body. I was clean shaven and short hair at the beginning, only for sanitary-type reasons. I shaved once, when I had to stop in Apr for foot problems and had to go home for 3 weeks.
If if helps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4YpqRPLIWc
Also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVVQAm4SruU Lord help me, I can remember the Cowsills. <sigh>