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Post by catonsvillebill on Sept 6, 2016 7:39:37 GMT -8
How do some of you stay clean (or relatively clean) on the trail? I was at a Bluegrass Festival over the Labor Day weekend, and had no access to a shower or even hot water (Conditions that approximate conditions on a trail in winter) After 24 hrs. without a shower I felt pretty grungy. My scalp especially was itchy. The wet wipes I brought with me helped out. I rubbed them into my scalp and that worked well. Of course taking a "towel bath" with them helped too. Are there any secrets to keeping clean on the trail?
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Post by tipiwalter on Sept 6, 2016 7:47:40 GMT -8
I don't consider a bluegrass festival to be backpacking on a Trail as in your title. So of course at such a festival cleaning options could be very limited. Otherwise, in the Southeast where I go backpacking there's always the near daily opportunity to find a creek and either go swimming or use my cooking pot as a dip-shower-head for a full bath.
In a hot dry ridge camp I will use my filtered drinking water and a paper towel or rag to do a sponge bath. Hair and scalp can be thoroughly cleaned at the next creek you reach---using your cooking pot or water bottle as a "shower head".
In the winter at 0F you will not want to bathe in any fashion although I will wash just my hair and scalp in such conditions if it's been 10 or 12 days since cleaning. The longest I ever went without a bath was 76 days in the winter when I lived at my NC ridgetop Tipi. I am programmed to go days w/o a shower or bath. It's all just part of living outdoors.
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Post by johntpenca on Sept 6, 2016 11:01:08 GMT -8
Twenty four hours without a shower is nothing. I'm with tipiwalter on this one.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Sept 6, 2016 11:25:40 GMT -8
I use a wet wipe if necessary. Sometimes I'll use a handful of hot water after cooking if there's any left. I hate carrying water for external use.
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Post by lostwalker on Sept 21, 2016 9:15:57 GMT -8
I agree with the first 2 post. 24 hours is nothing. but to answer your question. Use warm water and a cloth then use a little baby powder.
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Post by autumnmist on Sept 21, 2016 11:49:16 GMT -8
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Sept 22, 2016 5:50:02 GMT -8
Conditions that approximate conditions on a trail in winter Maybe it's just me, but I find that I get a lot less grungy in cool/cold conditions than in other conditions. I sweat less, which helps a lot. Just what exactly were the conditions at the festival? Temperature, sun/clouds, humidity/dew point?
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Post by catonsvillebill on Sept 22, 2016 7:50:44 GMT -8
Just what exactly were the conditions at the festival? Temperature, sun/clouds, humidity/dew point? Temps were in the mid 70's during the day, humidity low, a nice stiff wind was blowing on Friday ( with partly cloudy conditions). The hurricane/ tropical storm that affected the east coast over labor day weekend was causing the wind. I didn't think I'd feel grungy, but I did. I like the wet wipes suggestion by Bigload ( thanks!). I know I hate the feeling of having to peel the t-shirt off of myself, and feeling the sleeping bag stick to me because of the sweat on me.
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Post by catonsvillebill on Sept 22, 2016 7:53:55 GMT -8
I am sort of a Felix Unger type. I have OCD and wash my hands frequently etc.... That's why hiking is so great for me. I need to adjust to life without being overly fastidious. The trail teaches me that, and I'm grateful for it.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Sept 22, 2016 8:13:32 GMT -8
Temps were in the mid 70's during the day OK, so they weren't "Conditions that approximate conditions on a trail in winter". But low humidity helps a LOT. I need to adjust to life without being overly fastidious. It'll take time. Lightweight, breathable, quick-drying fabrics help. Cotton is pure evil. Nylon, polyester, Capilene, and other fabrics are your friends. Wool is OK, too, although not usually my favorite. Others swear by it. feeling the sleeping bag stick to me because of the sweat on me. So use it like a blanket instead. You're not required to be completely in it. The idea is to be comfortable (within reason), not to fully use all of your equipment. Maybe just drape the bag over your legs if your torso and arms are comfy. A long sleeve shirt is probably more than enough in those conditions. I probably would have opted for a lightweight short sleeve synthetic.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 29, 2016 11:42:39 GMT -8
Actually, in warmer condition like those, I love to have a cotton shirt to sleep in (kept clean for sleeping). I think keeping clean in a festival setting is much harder than on the trail, since when backpacking I generally find a lake or stream and jump in when the day's hike is done. I can go a week without washing my hair before it drives me nuts, and if conditions are warm enough to allow me to dunk my head, the week doesn't bother me at all. One thing that helps with hair is to NOT wash it every day at home. Daily washing seems to stimulate oil production. Because my hair is long and straight and easy to manage, I wash it every 2-3 days at home. So obviously a weekend without that would be no problem. I do like to be clean on the trail, and if I'm not able to take a real bathe (no lakes or streams), I will use my washcloth for a sponge bath (much like what is recommended with the wet-wipes, only without the nasty perfumes and crap). I also rinse my hiking shirt and underwear pretty much daily, which helps a lot with feeling clean. In cool weather it's not so vital, but even when cold I like to wash my face morning and evening (just rinse with water) and to wipe out my pits at the end of the day. Feet like washing, too, but if it's cold, I just change to clean, dry socks and cover up the dirt.
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Post by RumiDude on Oct 2, 2016 10:35:29 GMT -8
I kinda have a different view on this subject than most. I think it is important to get clean, even in the winter. I don't like to use wet-wipes and such. I take two wash cloths, one is green and one is red. The red one is for crotch and ass while the green on is used for everything else.I usually don't use soap, but if I do it is only a drop or two of unscented Dr. Bronners liquid soap. Anyway, my usual thing is to heat some water and then add enough cold water to cool it sufficiently. I end up with some warm water. I pour some water on the green wash cloth and clean my face and such. I wring it out and repeat until I have cleaned myself except in the funky areas. Then I repeat with the red wash cloth in the nether region. I thoroughly rinse and wring the wash cloths and hang to dry, then use a hand cleanser on my hands. My head is shaved so I don't need to wash my hair, but my partner does whenever she deems it necessary. we usually repeat the water heating procedure and I pour the water on her head. The body washing can be done inn the tent if you pour and wring in the vestibule. Hair washing obviously happens outside the tent. After you get the routine down, it really is not difficult or time consuming. And being careful, it doesn't take much water so you are not expending a lot of fuel to heat. In warm temps, just wash off in a creek or lake. I have a very good friend who showers every night, regardless of the weather. He uses a Sea-To-Summit Shower and carries extra fuel. I do not like to get in my bag or under my quilt all salt encrusted and feeling dirty, that is why I wash. I get a better night sleep because of that. Rumi
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Post by zeke on Oct 2, 2016 10:42:33 GMT -8
For activities like a festival, I would use baking soda sprinkled dry into my hair and work it into the scalp & / or roots. It will absorb the oils that make your hair look and feel oily. I would not do this while bp'ing, as the sources for a water bath are too frequent.
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 2, 2016 12:26:35 GMT -8
baking soda sprinkled dry into my hair and work it into the scalp & / or roots. I've heard that corn starch works well for this too, though I've never tried it.
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Post by rwtb123 on Oct 2, 2016 12:33:17 GMT -8
For a bluegrass festival, you need a bandana to look like a real hippie.A walking stick is also helpful, to keep from stumbling when your mind is so altered on drugs you forget you are dirty and stinkin'.
I use both of those backpacking ,as well,to keep clean and balanced.
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