Why is it so hard to bathe on the trail?

[Wise Old Owl]

OK I'm stumped, without messing up the thread and staying on topic....

When the opportunity arises on the trail? Is it because of cold water?

Now I already know the trail is a rim or top edge trail, but there are springs and pools and if you follow them down after pitching your tent, after a long day?

A mountain stream dip is the most pleasurable "alone" moment. Doesn't require soap but it helps knock the sticky grime. I have done it early enough that the nylon or polypro clothes are dry the next morning...

So weigh in, and keep in mind.... This is about personal hygine and just for a moment - there isn't a trail town available!

[Summit]

I try to bathe every three or four days usually. If I can't find a stream big enough to get in (downstream from obvious drinking water withdrawal), I'll do a 'pot bath' using a wash cloth. When I did the JMT in '77, I bathed everyday in a stream or lake - extremely cold water because it's melting snow runoff, but would get in and out until I could eventually stay in a good while. It completely re-energized me after an exhausting day of hiking.

[fiddlehead]

I think many people do this in July/August/Sept but it is often too cold and of course, having only wet stinky clothes to put back on doesn't help.
I look for areas when i'm down near the road crossing (as roads often follow streams and rivers)
But that's where civilization is too so, it may not be easy to undress or change clothes.
UP on top where the AT is, there aren't as many streams.

Out west is different. You dry fast. your clothes dry fast. There are more lakes up high. I bathed daily or every other day on hikes out there many times.

[Wise Old Owl]

I think many people do this in July/August/Sept but it is often too cold and of course, having only wet stinky clothes to put back on doesn't help.
I look for areas when i'm down near the road crossing (as roads often follow streams and rivers)
But that's where civilization is too so, it may not be easy to undress or change clothes.
UP on top where the AT is, there aren't as many streams.

Out west is different. You dry fast. your clothes dry fast. There are more lakes up high. I bathed daily or every other day on hikes out there many times.

Well Fiddlehead I am not talking lakes here. I am talking mountain streams, I have jumped into steams in PA, Canada, England, and I am talking about small ponding holes below the spring and yes it is cold, enough for a guy's Easter basket to disappear! With Micro fiber polypro clothes and poly or tech pants it's NOT necessary to get naked. Just jump in. No cotton, no problem. I am not kidding, I canoe & kayak grade 3,4 and have been soaked numerous times, but due to the exercise I warm up. Hey if there isn't ice cubes floating it must be ok right? there is a camp towel....

I do agree out west it is easier and sometimes the high altitude can mess folk up.

[Summit]

I think many people do this in July/August/Sept but it is often too cold and of course, having only wet stinky clothes to put back on doesn't help.

Yep, on the JMT I removed my boots and went in with my clothes and socks, pulled them off and rinsed/scrubbed 'em real good. Even if the sun was nearly down, the low humidity would render my clothes dry by morning (hung out) except sometimes my socks weren't completely dry. I would hang them on my pack and could put them away dry before 10 am. Good hygene is much harder on the AT, especially if you're hiking sun up to sundown busting big mileage days on a thru!

[Tinker]

Usually there isn't enough water on the trail. Streams and lakes are a better bet.

Actually, in cold weather, it's the air temp. not the water temp so much. I've taken a couple of "snow baths" in my time in the winter. They aren't really that bad if there's a lot of sun and no wind. Best bet in cold weather is to bring a few "baby wipes" and quickly wipe your private parts and underarms (separate wipes, please ).

[Wise Old Owl]

Wow Tinker SNOW BATHS? - I had no idea.....

[fiddlehead]

Ok, wise old owl, you want to talk streams> you are from PA. Me too.
I have bathed in the stream just north of Eckville Shelter, The Sch. river in Port Clinton (but not without people watching as it is a very public area), Hertliem, and the DeHart Dam (illegal i know but .....it was hot) (Sunfish pond in NJ also but shsshhhhh don't tell anyone)
I have also swam at the lake's swimming area at Pine Grove furnace SP, the pool at Caledonia SP, and the small stream in Rausch Gap. But never in the Susquehanna or Lehigh rivers as i considered them too big.
i have been to all of these places in early spring also and chose to NOT bathe or swim in them.

So, to answer your question, it does happen. But not to the extent that it does on other trails. Mainly weather related IMO.

ps. i too paddle whitewater but have a change of clothes at the end of the day. (and a boofgear sack to change it from)

[Tinker]

Wow Tinker SNOW BATHS? - I had no idea.....

Only in the winter.

[Frosty]

Wal-mart and others sell small packages of anti-baterial wipes. Pack of 20 for an ounce or two. Using one at night on one's nasty bits, working from pits to crotch to butt, takes care of potential odor, crotch rot, monkey butt, and possible yeast-infection, and doing it before turning in greatly lengthens the time before your sleeping bag needs cleaning.

Yes, your clothes are still smelly, but my observation is that you feel pretty good if you are clean but wearing dirty clothes. On the other hand, being scuzzy in clean clothes still leaves you feel scuzzy.

[phillycheze]

WHAT? i hope none of you had on bug repellent or sunscreen. LNT people. use the wipes if needed or take a smoke bath. come on people.

[Sailor (The other one)]

What's a smoke bath?

[Engine]

If there isn't enough water to actually get into, I just soak my bandanna and do a good wipe down. The season for this usually runs from late March to early October in the southern Appalachians. Too cold any other time, and I don't get anywhere near as ripe in the cold anyway.

[Rockhound]

It is not hard to bathe on the trail. Warm water and a bandanna when you get to camp and a real shower every 5 or 6 days when the opportunity presents itself at a hotel, hostel, campground etc...If this is not enough perhaps you should try long distance swimming. If you hike you smell. Get used to it.

[catfishrivers]

What about filling your water bladder up and hanging it from a tree and using it as a shower? That's one of the things I was planning on doing if I felt the need to de-cheeze before I could get myself a proper shower.

[JAK]

sponge baths are easy and you don't need much water, or even a sponge.

[TD55]

sponge baths are easy and you don't need much water, or even a sponge.

Ya, but a sponge works best. You don't loose as much water as you do with a bandana or wash cloth. If I'm careful I can pour a little hot water into a sponge without dribbling and spilling onto the ground like what happans with a cloth. I still use my old canteen cup to heat water and it's enough to get the job done. The hot water makes all the difference, for me anyhow. Sometimes I'll use cold water for soaping up and use the hot for "rinsing", or at least wiping away the soap residue.
When I get to a water source I clean my sponge real good. Away from the source ofcourse, the same way you do socks. BTW, a wool sock works better than a bandana or even a standard cotten cloth, IMO.

[superman]

It's not hard to bathe on the trail. I have the caterer bring me a shower when they deliver my meals.

[DAJA]

What about filling your water bladder up and hanging it from a tree and using it as a shower? That's one of the things I was planning on doing if I felt the need to de-cheeze before I could get myself a proper shower.

Bingo, works great! If you want a little added luxury, add some hot water for a warm shower... When hiking in the maritimes, I often soak in the ocean to cure sore feet and muscles... Just be sure to have a fresh water source nearby to rinse the salt off after... Brooks, lakes, and streams are all great too...

[Fiddleback]

Wal-mart and others sell small packages of anti-baterial wipes. Pack of 20 for an ounce or two. Using one at night on one's nasty bits, working from pits to crotch to butt, takes care of potential odor, crotch rot, monkey butt, and possible yeast-infection, and doing it before turning in greatly lengthens the time before your sleeping bag needs cleaning.

Yes, your clothes are still smelly, but my observation is that you feel pretty good if you are clean but wearing dirty clothes. On the other hand, being scuzzy in clean clothes still leaves you feel scuzzy.

Almost every trail night, I use a large-washcloth-sized miracle fibre cloth and warm water to scrub the grit and grime and salt off my bod. I follow up with an 'adult wipe' which finishes the cleaning and leaves a fresh feeling. For the most part, I don't even stink anymore. And it usually doesn't take more than a cup of water.

I haven't seen them at WalMart but drugstores such as Osco/CVS carry the adult wipes. The same kind of thing is at REI but they are much, much more expensive there. Those I have are 9" X 13", hypoallergenic and alcohol free. One very nicely does the job.

It's a great way to hit the sack...

FB