can a clean shaven man hike the AT?

[mweinstone]

what is the beard good for on a thru hike?must one have one to be cool,accepted,what?if i shave all the time will i be a non confofmist freak doomed to banishment from the iner sanctum?why dont more men shave?my beard is just too damm loud against my sleeping bag nylon.why dont you shave?

[Lone Wolf]

I've had a beard for over 20 years. I'm very cool.

[Sly]

Most don't shave on the trail because it's a PITA. You want to shave during your thru-hike, go for it.

[minnesotasmith]

That clean-shaven is an essential part of going ultralight.

[Ender]

I shaved on my AT thru... not terribly often, but at least once a week. Just liked it better, felt cooler in the summer, and certainly set me apart. The last three weeks though I stopped just because, well, why not? It is an extra task, I never seemed to mind doing it.

[MOWGLI]

Serves as a crumb catcher. Every calorie counts ya know!

[kyhipo]

their was a cat named shaven dave in 99,he took pride in the fact he was clean shaved,ky

[Spirit Walker]

Some do, some don't. I knew a man who shaved and washed his hair every single day. I knew another who didn't take a bath for the first three months. What you do is up to you.

[Lone Wolf]

http://gallery.backcountry.net/album70/abx

[neo]

ed garvey mention shaving quite often on his 1970 thru hike in his book appalachian hiker adventure of a lifetime neo

[neo]

i prefer clean shaved women myself neo

[weary]

what is the beard good for on a thru hike?must one have one to be cool,accepted,what?if i shave all the time will i be a non confofmist freak doomed to banishment from the iner sanctum?why dont more men shave?my beard is just too damm loud against my sleeping bag nylon.why dont you shave?

You'll be different, but everyone who hikes the trail is different from most people. No one will much care about your particular difference. Most males seem to dream of a beard at one time or another in our lives. For those of us whose jobs made beards a detriment, the trail offers an opportunity.

But for most thru hikers letting beards grow is also a matter of convenience. It's cold in the southern Appalachians in spring, hot water cools rapidly and requires heavy fuel to create. Also most of us like to get on the trail as early as possible if only to warm up.

I wore a beard for a few months after coming home. Finally a woman I once worked with suggested that if "you want to look older than you are a beard is very nice."

Since that was not an aim, I shaved, though lately it's only every couple of days. That has its drawbacks also. Two days of stubble makes a young man look virile; while the same on an old man just makes him look like a bum.

Weary

[hammock engineer]

I will be the shaven SOBO you will pass up north. After about 3 days, I can't stand the itch.

[Just Jeff]

The itch comes from your hair's roots growing back into your face as it gets longer. Let it go for a few days and the itch will go away. Might be worth it if you really don't like shaving in the mornings. Or might not...up to you.

[Moxie00]

I shaved every chance I could. I carried at least 2 disposable razors, I used a bar of ivory soap for shaving cream and on the trail often just used cold water. While I would shave near a water source I used my cook pot as a shaving bowl and carried the water a good distance for disposal. While I am not quite as old as Weary I had the same situation. I have white hair and a white beard makes me look 10 years older and as Weary said, grey stubble makes you look like a bum. Several women I hiked with shaved their legs and charm pits but usually in town when they showered. I felt very clean after shaving, even on the trail where otherwise I was sweaty amd smelly. I also can't stand the itch.

[Israel]

Well, Lone Wolf is further along than me; i've only had a beard for 13 years.

L.W., you and Weathercarrot make a cute couple.

[snowhoe]

I too am going to shave quite often. Cant stand the feel after about 2 days. I have bought a little mirror so I dont miss any spots. Do what you want to do, its your hike.

[icemanat95]

what is the beard good for on a thru hike?must one have one to be cool,accepted,what?if i shave all the time will i be a non confofmist freak doomed to banishment from the iner sanctum?why dont more men shave?my beard is just too damm loud against my sleeping bag nylon.why dont you shave?

I shaved in every town stop and kept my hair sheared down to stuble most of the time. I found it easier on the trail. Cleaner and easier to police myself for ticks and such. There is a reason that the military favors a clean shave and a closely shorn head. (OK, there is no need for a clean protective mask seal on the AT, but the overall cleanliness factor is important in the field).

Long hair and wild beards is mostly a matter of mountainman fashion.

[icemanat95]

"Shaving Cream"
- Benny Bell

I have a sad story to tell you.
It may hurt your feelings a bit.
last night, when I walked in my bathroom,
I stepped in a pile of...
Shaving cream, be nice and clean!
Shave every day, and you'll always look keen.

I think I'll break up with my girlfriend.
Her antics are queer, I'll admit.
Each time I say "Darling, I love you,"
She tells me that I'm full of...
Shaving cream, be nice and clean!
Shave every day, and you'll always look keen.

A baby fell out of the window.
You'd think that her head would be split.
But good luck was with her that morning.
She fell in a barrel of...
Shaving cream, be nice and clean!
Shave every day, and you'll always look keen.

When I was in France with the Army,
One day I looked into my kit.
I thought I would find me a sandwich,
But the darn thing was loaded with...
Shaving cream, be nice and clean!
Shave every day, and you'll always look keen.

And now, folks, my story is ended.
I think it is time I should quit.
If any of you feel offended,
Stick your head in a barrel of...
Shaving cream, be nice and clean!
Shave every day, and you'll always look keen

[khaynie]

what is the beard good for on a thru hike?must one have one to be cool,accepted,what?if i shave all the time will i be a non confofmist freak doomed to banishment from the iner sanctum?why dont more men shave?my beard is just too damm loud against my sleeping bag nylon.why dont you shave?

Shave if you must. You're the only one it matters to. Nobody will care either way... If they do, don't hike with them. Simple.

p.s. What's up with the "no space" thing between your sentences? Am I missing something?