No showers

[ppine]

Hot springs are swell if you can find them. A solar shower works great for those that "need" showers. Americans have a phobia about cleanliness as a society.

On a long trip, build a sweat lodge to open the pores and loosen the dirt, not to mention to improve one's spiritual outlook. Then jump in a stream and get by a fire.

In colder weather showers are not necessary at all. Wood smoke is the prevailing odor of campers and hunters under these conditions. Ten day trips without a shower are normal for outdoors people not the exception.

 

[briansnat]

Wow, you guys are hard core. I wouldn't want to do it either. I have backpacked many times and we always came back to camp. Guess what? There were showers! They weren't the best but they worked.

I don't think that qualifies as backpacking

 

[briansnat]

I have no problem going without a shower for several days. My wife on the other hand brings no rinse bathing wipes and will clean up every day. If we're near a stream or lake she will wash in it.

If you want to get to the really special places that can only be reached on foot you're going to have to leave some comforts behind.