[at-l] Hiker stink

[shane@theplacewithnoname.com (Shane Steinkamp)]

> You may get "clean", but your pack, straps, waistbelt, etc., are soaking
> with wonderful smelly bacteria inhanced body fluids that will
> immediately impregnate your clean clothes, body and hair with that
> wonderful hiker scent.  Unless you carry a clean pair of clothes for
> every day of your hike, bathe evey night, clean your sleeping bag
> regularly, de-odorize your boots, and on and on, you will eventually
> succumb to the inevitable thru-hiker odor.

Agreed, but you can minimize the problem.  On hikes where I have stopped in
towns over night, I not only wash my clothes, but also clean my gear that
needs cleaning.  If you are reasonably clean when getting into your sleeping
bag, it will take longer for it to go rancid.

As far as boots, drying them out is the key - but that is nearly impossible
on the trail.  Using the old woodman's trick of heating a few stones and
dropping them into your boots at night isn't recommended for the modern
synthetic linings either...  Keeping your feet clean and dry, and washing
your socks on the trail, will help tremendously.  Unfortunately, you can't
eliminate it entirely...

Shane