How long have you gone without showering?

So, who has gone the longest without showering? (must be climbing related)

I've done two NOLS courses. I think the longest we were out was 28 days w/o a shower.

6 weeks... as an outward bound instructor. After a certain point you dont smell bad any more(at least not that you notice). Not exactly a climbing trip but the kids did climb twice...

I love the smell of Capilene in the morning. It smells like...Victory.

My longest stretch was 9 days on one of our remote desert excursions last year. There wasn't any water sources where we camped, and backpacked, and the days were quite warm, and active with many miles of hiking involved, so we had to conserve our water we had brought along for drinking, and cooking only. We weren't about to waste our water supply by washing up, and/or using a portable shower. For the first few days, anti-bacterial wipes, and hand sanitizers sufficed, but with all the desert grime, and strenuous hiking in warm weather we did, I couldn't stop thinking about how I would kill for a long shower. I seriously started to feel like a wild animal in a midden as I slithered in, and out of our tent, and from the back of the truck. Yuck!!

Ah, shoot, you said climbing related. Well, we did scamper up some moki steps, and did some sketchy, and exposed canyon scrambling; that should count for something damn it- some of that shit's scarier than most climbs I've been on.

Ksween wrote:6 weeks... as an outward bound instructor. After a certain point you dont smell bad any more(at least not that you notice). Not exactly a climbing trip but the kids did climb twice...

I remember one trip I did, no showering for a month. We marveled to each other how our 2 week out stench had evidently dissipated. Then we rolled into the lobby of our hotel. Faces scrunched up in "What's that smell?" kind of surprised disgust. The lady who checked us in gingerly accepted my credit card, like she might catch something. The people waiting (at a noticeable distance) for the elevator politely declined our offer to hold it for them.
It's funny how you can get used to stinkin!

Mine's not climbing related. When I was in southern Afganistan in 2009 I went about 6 months without taking a shower. Just baby wipes and bottles of water to stay somewhat clean. That doesn't mean much when its 130+ though. When I finally got to shower I took about an hour and then proceeded to burn the clothes and boots I had been wearing.

Probably 6 to 8 days,,,think I was encrusted with layers of protective dust and dirt in the Grand Canyon...but I had clean clothes at least to change into!

I'm in college and i climb either at the rock wall or out bouldering or trad climbing whenever i have a few hours or a day off. I've had three showers this semester. Stretching from about mid January to now. Simply just more important things in the world than personal hygiene. Clip your nails when they get cumbersome for climbing. Other than that, screw it.

After all, isn't that what they make thick stick deoderants for? And Axe' products to slather all over yourself?

I went about a month one time when I was surfing and wave sailing at Punta San Carlos.I was in the ocean every day and fresh water was for drinking and cooking.When the water runs out ya gotta leave that all there is to it.

Ksween wrote:6 weeks... as an outward bound instructor. After a certain point you dont smell bad any more(at least not that you notice). Not exactly a climbing trip but the kids did climb twice...

Hate to tell ya this, but you guys and the NOLSE's smell REALLY bad at the end of a course.

It's just sooooo unecessary.

I always try to go for a regular dip (a good fording will do too).

Two and a half months in Baffin Island.

Several other 1-2 month showerless expeditions too.

Mmmmm....

Paul

I only take bubble baths.

So I'm sitting in a tea house in Namche Bazaar when two ladies from Salt Lake sit across from me. I over hear them say "I hope this place is nicer than the last tea house. I haven't had a hot shower in two days!" For some reason they decided to include ME in this conversation to the effect of "You look like you've had it rough, when was your last shower?" I looked at my watch, did some quick mental math and responded "37 days." The full body recoil and looks of abject horror were priceless.

Drake Pregnall wrote:I'm in college and i climb either at the rock wall or out bouldering or trad climbing whenever i have a few hours or a day off. I've had three showers this semester. Stretching from about mid January to now. Simply just more important things in the world than personal hygiene. Clip your nails when they get cumbersome for climbing. Other than that, screw it.

Ever wonder who the smelly kid at your school is? Seriously, if you live in a building or drive in a car with people and can't take five minutes to wash yourself every other day then you have some problems.

36 days with 7 other dudes.

any sexual urges were beaten into submission.

Keenan Waeschle wrote:36 days with 7 other dudes. any sexual urges were beaten into submission.

I'm just not sure what how to read this, and, frankly, I'm almost afraid to ask for clarification.

To contribute: I've gone a couple of weeks without showering. I'm not really going for any records on that count.

Drake Pregnall wrote:I'm in college and i climb either at the rock wall or out bouldering or trad climbing whenever i have a few hours or a day off. I've had three showers this semester. Stretching from about mid January to now. Simply just more important things in the world than personal hygiene. Clip your nails when they get cumbersome for climbing. Other than that, screw it.

dude... not showering when you're in a place with readily available showers is not cool... it's actually pretty disgusting. I feel bad for your classmates.

I hope (for your sake) that this a troll

Drake Pregnall wrote:I'm in college and i climb either at the rock wall or out bouldering or trad climbing whenever i have a few hours or a day off. I've had three showers this semester. Stretching from about mid January to now.

And how are you doing with the ladies?

I think I went about 20 days last summer. And I'm not embarrassed to admit that I was looking for a free shower pretty much the whole time... just never found one. I did take a dip in the river though... SO cold but worth it.

To the guy who lives in a dorm and refuses to shower - being dirty is not cool... at all. I have a friend like you - it's annoying not to want to sit in the truck and chat w/ someone that you really enjoy being around because they smell so bad.