Stinking and snoring on guided expeditions...

I think bringing your own small tent would be the best solution, if you already own an appropriate one and the guides approve. It all depends on the severity of the snoring but I've definitely encountered the kind that is beyond earplugs. The smell is easier to mitigate with wool/extra layers, deodorant and wipes. 

Brena Guerra wrote: Why do mountaineers tend to lack hygiene? 3 yrs ago on a climb, the leader was shocked when he saw me brushing my teeth. He said that he had never seen anyone brushing their teeth. The longest I’ve been on a mountain was 5 days, and while being without a shower doesn’t bother me that much, but I could never go without brushing my teeth twice a day and reapply deodorant. The lack of hygiene I have seen on mountaineers grosses me out. The way this guy thinks seems  to be the standard thinking. I don’t think there’s any excuse to justify letting go of personal hygiene 100%. How can anyone stand the feeling of having unbrushed teeth for days? I love the feeling of a clean mouth. But then again I came from a culture where it’s a common practice people to brush their teeth at least 3 times a day.

I think mountain people lacking hygiene may be as true as modern western people obsessing over it. 

But this America and i ain’t no judge. Live comfortably y’all.
Edit to add:  I have herd eating meat can make extra stink.  Any vegetarians out there with some data on this?

I value cleanliness in a partner. Stank n rank sucks, and is highly inconsiderate. If youre normally a grungy fellow, on a trip would be a time to clean up your act. Deoderant on your feet and pits 2x a day, tea tree oil nightly foot rubs, wool layers, bath wipe shower every other day, baby wipes. Bring earplugs for the team.

If l got tented up with you, it would be a defining storyline in the whole expensive trip for me. One big reason l wouldn't go guided--the potential of you.

A silk liner keeps your bag fresher. I think everyone would bennefit from a silk liner. They make a great gift. 

Brena Guerra wrote: Why do mountaineers tend to lack hygiene? 3 yrs ago on a climb, the leader was shocked when he saw me brushing my teeth. He said that he had never seen anyone brushing their teeth. The longest I’ve been on a mountain was 5 days, and while being without a shower doesn’t bother me that much, but I could never go without brushing my teeth twice a day and reapply deodorant. The lack of hygiene I have seen on mountaineers grosses me out. The way this guy thinks seems  to be the standard thinking. I don’t think there’s any excuse to justify letting go of personal hygiene 100%. How can anyone stand the feeling of having unbrushed teeth for days? I love the feeling of a clean mouth. But then again I came from a culture where it’s a common practice people to brush their teeth at least 3 times a day.

You can justify it when it's a weight and space issue. If your going light and fast there is no time or place for brushing teeth.

If I was walking up a snowy side of a mountain expedition style with a 100 lb pack id probably have a toothbrush.

To my highest altitude camp, I did carry a small toothbrush -- though perhaps not toothpaste.  (I can't recall for sure, but probably not.)

Spare socks yes -- to alternate each day.  (I have sweaty feet even in the cold, and plastic boots trap moisture.)
These are aired out, until frost in the tent meant that was losing ground, then they go inside the inner-most shirt to finish drying.

There were two things we carried extra amounts: fuel to melt snow for water, film.  (Was in early 1990s.)

-Peter 

Hey hey hey all... before we roast the OP (myself), I should clarify that until now, 95% of my trips are "weekend warrior" trips - 2 nights, 3 days.  Baby wipes, changing underwear, bringing deodorant, etc, for a 2 night trip with your brother or dad is excessive in my opinion.  And the entire reason I made this post was to figure out what everyone does so I'm NOT "that dude" on one of these trips.

Also, I'm a dentist, and I promise that proper oral hygiene throughout the year, and skipping brushing on an overnighter (or brushing once at night on a longer trip) is completely sufficient.  Again, I'm talking about weekend warriors or the person like myself who hopes to do one "expedition" a year.  If you're the lucky person who is spending dozens of nights in the backcountry a year, then I would definitely take a more serious approach to hygiene, health, diet, etc, in the backcountry.

rgold wrote:In my experience, foam earplugs are worthless. The best ones (more expensive; 12 pairs cost $14), recommended to me by a French person who has survived a lot of nights in hut, are  Quies wax earplugs .

In my experience _most_ foam earplugs do not help much. But I've not been happy with wax earplugs.

What I have happily used many days in a row for lots of years in many different situations are _these_ :
Howard Leight Laser Lite Foam Earplugs (No Cords)

Ken

P.S. Tho I think serious male snoring nearby requires a whoe different approach.

Just don't get little Jackie Jones as a tent mate.

Ryan - I need a reasonable dentist. Consider moving one state to the south.  Albuquerque also has “mile high” status.  :)

Just thought I'd share something I'm going to experiment with...

I work with someone who is really into essential oils and I asked her if I could borrow some Peppermint oil.  I put a super tiny little drop on my toothbrush... POW!  My breath was beyond fresh.  Way beyond... might need to dilute it a bit.  But I'm going to use that as my toothpaste and see how it works.  (My official dental recommendation is NOT to use this as an everyday toothpaste - I'm just going to try it in the field).

In terms of deodorant, I figured why not try the peppermint under my armpits?  POW!  My pits right now are beyond fresh.  You could probably smell my peppermint goodness from across the room right now.  My pits are burning a bit though - she said she's going to bring me some Tea Tree Oil tomorrow that she thinks would work better as a deodorant - it doesn't burn the skin or cause it to tingle apparently.

If this works, I can put 15-20 drops of this oil in a super small dropper I've got and replace a bulky toothpaste and deodorant (even when they are "travel size").

Ryan Gardner wrote: Just thought I'd share something I'm going to experiment with...

I work with someone who is really into essential oils and I asked her if I could borrow some Peppermint oil.  I put a super tiny little drop on my toothbrush... POW!  My breath was beyond fresh.  Way beyond... might need to dilute it a bit.  But I'm going to use that as my toothpaste and see how it works.  (My official dental recommendation is NOT to use this as an everyday toothpaste - I'm just going to try it in the field).

In terms of deodorant, I figured why not try the peppermint under my armpits?  POW!  My pits right now are beyond fresh.  You could probably smell my peppermint goodness from across the room right now.  My pits are burning a bit though - she said she's going to bring me some Tea Tree Oil tomorrow that she thinks would work better as a deodorant - it doesn't burn the skin or cause it to tingle apparently.

If this works, I can put 15-20 drops of this oil in a super small dropper I've got and replace a bulky toothpaste and deodorant (even when they are "travel size").

keep us posted!

You can leave all the stuff at home and use the snow ball method to whipe the pooper. Works like a charm.