I'm also planning to hike the AT through TN this summer. I like backpacking - when its not hot out. My big issue is sweating for 8-12 hours a day while hiking, then crawling into a sleeping bag at the end of the day. Hate that feeling worse than I like backpacking.

When its cool-coolish out, I keep the sweat at bay with a pre-moistened 'towel' - think giant size handy wipe. During elk season, I can go 2-3 days OK because its cool out and I'm in hunting mode rather than hiking mode. The towel idea works well. When I hunt out of a base camp, I do a sunshower (1/2 boiling water, 1/2 cold = ~ 100 degree water temp).

How do you guys mitigate the sweat issue when its warm out?

Baby butt wipes work ok but these larger bath wipes are easier to use. They do cost more, though.



I don't recommend the Western Family brand of wipes. I tried them and they dry too fast plus they fall apart. Name brands like Pampers work much better.

and to add...in cold weather, these things will freeze the balls off a brass monkey. The alcohol, or whatever it is they use in them, dries fast and cold.

the same company R.C. posted the photo
of the wipes^ ^ No-Rinse^ ^ also makes
some other no rinse products. i use their
no rinse body bath for camp outs and hunting
when it's cold here. you get about a pint +-
of water hot and put about a tablespoon of
product in the water and use a washrag to
scrub yourself with the solution. i've
used it a long time, and it works great.
cowbellys used to have it, but i usually
buy mailorder from campmor.
good luck

If water is plentiful, I heat the largest container in my pack to luke-warm. Then pour it over my head and wash the critical acreage. Air dry or use and old shirt. It's amazing how good this feels. One liter will get it done. Use cold water if you're a stud. Not me.

If truck camping and hiking, I'll take a big coffee-type pot that holds at least 2 liters and do same. Amazing.

Short of this, it's baby wipes.

Baby wipes, body glide, deodorant/antiperspirant, and diaper rash oitment. Keeps me fresh enough.

I jump in a freezing creek or lake in the summer for about 15 seconds Feel way better. Full submersion and a plan to get dry and warm .. does the body good

I hear those AT shelters can get crowded?

Why not forego the amenities, and have the place all to yourself?

Seriously though, Arm & Hammer unscented baking soda deodorant will keep the pits from stinking for days on end.

+1 Nothing like a good bath in the creek or lake.

Idaho has lots of hot springs. Beats the heck out of a frigid lake.
However, some years ago I was snorkling in a high mountain lake. The top 2' was reasonably warm as I drifted along on the surface. Then I'd put my arm down. At about 2.5', I'd hit the layer. My hand would be in water at least 40F colder than the surface.

Hot spring yes , I would take that any day. However, the alpine lake sure can wake you up and make you feel refreshed in a hurry.

I can feel as refreshed in 3 sec as I can in 15.

They can get crowded with people and bears. I'm taking a tent and looking at the Regs for random back country camping.

You guys do the same things I do. The giant towel size baby wipes work best when no creek/lake is around. I've also soaked in a creek at mid-day - really refreshing. Still hate that stanky, sticky funk at the end of the day when it's hot.

Thanks for the thoughts.

One year in Colorado the second season, the year we got the snow storm that shut everything down for a few days (2006?), I couldn't take it any longer. We heated water and set up a quasi shower stall outside the tent, mostly to cut the wind. It was close to zero outside. Ive never been that cold. But slept like a baby.

I pack with llamas. On hot days I don't sweat as much because I'm not carrying a load but I can get smelling like a llama...and they're not odor free.

Wilderness bath: Fill a plastic drinking water bottle with warm water, one with a squirt top is best and a quart is more than you need. Carry a microfiber wash cloth and towel. In deep cold, only uncover and wash one part of your body at a time and I like to have a 4 oz. squirt top flat bottle of liquid soap. Wet the cloth and soap it a bit, scrub and rise off or sponge off. The squirt bottle is excellent for washing hair. Wet hair, shampoo and then rinse with squirts. I feel a lot better in my sleeping bag, as mentioned earlier.

Great idea! Thank you.

Yep Im with ya on that one kev.....invigorating alright,, takes a bit of courage to!!!!

Spot-on advice.

Sea To Summit Pocket Shower - https://www.campmor.com/c/sea-to-summit-pocket-shower-83095

Set this scene at a pristine mountain lake.

OMG that's funny RC!.........

Casey

It's called 'invigorating'.

Epic!

Ha ha,

I loved his little rant,

m-f'er, f the world etc.

Seems like mother nature in the form of the ice queen showed him the fallacy of his argument?

GEno

MAN I bet that hurt!

Jump in the river, of course. Haha.

Now, around civilized company, I'll take a cooking pot/canteen, or a wash basin if I have one, fill it full of water, and wash clean with a one of the rag/bandana/or handtowels I brought with me for such general chores. Otherwise, I just deal with it, and choose clothing that'll air out a bit.

Dollar Tree moist wipes in the individual packets. There's like 20 to a box. You want the one's that's like 6x7 in size, they are a lot bigger and wetter. They are hit and miss in the stores. When you find the size you need to stock up.

For your hair, corn starch is the bomb. A little goes a long way.

If you out long enough that you need to wash your socks, a bar of Zote soap or Fels Naptha. Both of those can be bought at Walmart for around a dollar. I carry the Fels Naptha when I'm in poison ivy and wash my hands a couple of times a day.

We've been using these for soap for a while now: Sea to Summit Soap

Pretty convenient way to carry soap when you are trying to cut weight.

You stay clean??

Good, clean livin'... that's my secret to "success".