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To: Wile E Coyote Genius

For those who are interested in the practical effects of not washing.

I’ve been on a number of backpacking trips where overall washing just wasn’t possible. Up to 3 weeks in length. Obviously heavy activity and sweating.

Day’s 2 thru about 5 are pretty unpleasant. You can smell yourself and you itch. Your hair in particular gets pretty gross.

Thereafter the discomfort pretty much goes away and you don’t really notice your own smell or that of those with you.

However, that first shower after return to civilization is one of the greatest pleasures in existence. As is a night sleeping in clean sheets. :)


71 posted on 11/04/2010 4:17:18 PM PDT by Sherman Logan (You shall know the truth, and it shall piss you off mightily)
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To: Sherman Logan
Thereafter the discomfort pretty much goes away and you don’t really notice your own smell or that of those with you.

You can smell a homeless person before you see them. Did you see any animal life after 5 days without a shower? The only way caveman was a successful hunter is through brains and teamwork. They must have encircled their prey that ran in terror towards the center from our smell. Our signature rattlesnake rattler is our smell. For bears though, king of the forest, our smell may be attractant. There is evidence we ate a lot of bear.

Most human traits evolve in tribal warfare. Unlike all other animals where fight or flee is over in seconds, we need well lubricated armpits to work weapons in battle for hours at a time. An unwanted side effect is the smell, but this turned out to be an advantage for team hunting.

81 posted on 11/05/2010 4:00:02 AM PDT by Reeses
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To: Sherman Logan
must be similar mechanism to going on a strict fast....after the 3rd day you don't get hungry any more and its hard when you finally go off the fast to put food in your stomach again....takes a couple of days to work up to steak..
99 posted on 11/05/2010 1:01:23 PM PDT by goat granny
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