Pine Tar soap

[dualstow]

Does anyone else use this stuff?

I was originally looking for soap that smelled like pine trees, pine needles. This was just before we went to Yellowstone, and I wanted to smell like the forest while walking around amongst the bears. I know it's a stupid idea because we often had lunch in our daypacks, and there were plenty of other things on us for bears to smell with their phenomenal noses. I just liked the idea.

I ended up trying out pine tar soap and I love it. It smells like burning wood, like a campfire. The missus doesn't mind it too much, as the smell does not linger. Feels good on the skin.

[WildAboutHarry]

I used it many, many years ago.  To me it smelled more like vats of bubbling creosote and roofing tar, with a piquant odor of railroad ties.

Have you ever used oatmeal soap?  It does not smell like breakfast

[WildAboutHarry]

IMHO, body wash on a nylon puff is vastly superior to bar soap. It rinses cleaner and doesn't leave soap scum on the shower walls and doors. For you EER/cheapskates like myself, Suave body wash is very reasonable and works well.

Ok, I've never used the body wash stuff, but I'm getting ready to de-scum (sounds worse than it is) the shower.  Are the body washes really "scum free"?

I'm not sure about the nylon puff part, too close to a loofah (see Caddyshack).

[l82start]

i like the nylon puff but i am not a big fan of the body washes, to much chemical perfume and unknown ingredients, i have been using "goat soap" it is pretty simple stuff an original recipe style soap with mild lilac (which i could do without) but since it has no chemical scents or additives to make them stick its not bad...

[dualstow]

I used it many, many years ago.  To me it smelled more like vats of bubbling creosote and roofing tar, with a piquant odor of railroad ties.

Exactly. Oh, it's wonderful. 
No creosote present in Grandpa's, though. (That's a brand, not my progenitor).

[KevinW]

Ok, I've never used the body wash stuff, but I'm getting ready to de-scum (sounds worse than it is) the shower.  Are the body washes really "scum free"?

I use Dr Woods liquid castile soap as body wash. It doesn't seem to leave any scum behind.

[WiseOne]

I was originally looking for soap that smelled like pine trees, pine needles. This was just before we went to Yellowstone, and I wanted to smell like the forest while walking around amongst the bears. I know it's a stupid idea because we often had lunch in our daypacks, and there were plenty of other things on us for bears to smell with their phenomenal noses. I just liked the idea.

I ended up trying out pine tar soap and I love it. It smells like burning wood, like a campfire. The missus doesn't mind it too much, as the smell does not linger. Feels good on the skin.

It's nice stuff, has a bit of a vanilla scent as well.

I've had plenty of run-ins with bears in the western states & Alaska.  I hope you carried all your food in a bear canister.  You're supposed to put the clothes you wear while cooking in there as well, although that would have to be one big (and heavy) canister.  I also washed my pack & other gear before heading out, and would recommend against anything scented, including things like toothpaste.  I used baking soda instead.

I heard a story from a ranger about how bears in Yosemite work in teams to mug backpackers.  One of them would show up and induce the backpacker to put down his/her pack and run off.  Then the other would dash in and pillage it for food.  Smart critters!

[dualstow]

Hi WiseOne

Sounds like youve done some serious hiking!

We had no bear canisters, but experienced guides with bear spray.
Luckily, we encountered no grizzlies.

Earlier, in Canada, we had no guides or spray, but no food. :-)