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I think all this is going to depend on what you are doing and what climate you are doing it in. If you are hiking vigorously through a jungle, you are really going to need some sort of wash of at least arm pits, crotch, and feet, just about daily. If you are in a cool, dry climate and not doing anything strenuous, you can go several days without much of a bath and not get too funky.
At least having 2 pairs of socks, and alternating days with them, let them dry out, maybe hang them on your pack, will help avoid foot problems.
It really does depend upon the weather. Cool to cold would be more difficult for me. You can still sweat, but have to take it off to dry it.
It really does depend upon the weather. Cool to cold would be more difficult for me. You can still sweat, but have to take it off to dry it.
Tall, thin, and...your feet are cold!
Having grown up in the humid, sweaty South, I learned early how to move at a relaxed pace to at least limit sweating. Hiking in to a camp, I strongly prefer to maintain that relaxed pace so I don't arrive funky already, with nothing but an ice-cold stream or lake to try to clean up with.
You are right that your sleeping bag, underwear, etc. need to be aired out to dry even in quite cold weather.
I have always tended to have cold feet too. Years ago bought a set of heavy insulated Canadian made boots, that settled that. These are way too hot until about 20F or colder outside.
I think it was Layne Simpson who pointed out in one or another gun-zine I take that a tight belt can restrict lower body circulation, so go with suspenders in cold weather.
Out in the woods, take care of your feet, or you won't have a good time doing whatever it is you are doing out there. I'll cheap out on something else to have really good boots and socks.
As the Russian proverb goes: "There is no bad weather, there is only inadequate clothing."
If you're using bar soap, you're using fat to clean your body anyway. Soap has traditionally always had animal fat in it.
But I'm surprised no one has mentioned the obvious solution. Your diet. What comes out is a reflection of what goes in. That includes odor. Your entire body is covered with bacteria, not just the armpits (which are supposed to sweat).
The fact is, a plant-based diet acts as a natural body deodorizer because that's what chlorophyll and other phytonutrients do. It's internal deodorant.
I could go further into it but that's not the point of this thread. Those who want to know more will search it out for themselves. And no, I don't eat a plant-based diet myself, although I'm getting there more and more each day.
So, if you don't want to switch to a plant-based diet, start taking chlorophyll juice/supplements. You'll be surprised at the results.
Having grown up in the humid, sweaty South, I learned early how to move at a relaxed pace to at least limit sweating. Hiking in to a camp, I strongly prefer to maintain that relaxed pace so I don't arrive funky already, with nothing but an ice-cold stream or lake to try to clean up with.
You are right that your sleeping bag, underwear, etc. need to be aired out to dry even in quite cold weather.
I have always tended to have cold feet too. Years ago bought a set of heavy insulated Canadian made boots, that settled that. These are way too hot until about 20F or colder outside.
I think it was Layne Simpson who pointed out in one or another gun-zine I take that a tight belt can restrict lower body circulation, so go with suspenders in cold weather.
Out in the woods, take care of your feet, or you won't have a good time doing whatever it is you are doing out there. I'll cheap out on something else to have really good boots and socks.
As the Russian proverb goes: "There is no bad weather, there is only inadequate clothing."
I lived down South for a while, so I know what you mean about moving more slowly when you have to be outside. Only, "Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun".
I wasn't completely unprepared. I grew up in a river valley in PA. Late spring and summer could be quite hot and humid, but it wasn't like the South.
A few health disorders have exacerbated my increasing intolerance of the cold. Still, I do the best I can.
I was just wondering if it's possible to smell as clean from a shower by just washing up and or not even using water. Is there a way to make a sort of soap equivalent. ***
Before the invention of soap, people used sweat lodges/saunas and scrapers to clean their skin.
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