Ok I've heard about this uh "holiday" off and on for awhile. I know there are some people who take naked hiking very seriously but to me it always seemed like something you tell newbie hikers to embarrass them or whatever.

So is this day for real? Who here's a practicing member?

http://www.hikingnaked.com


This is a bigger thing in Europe than here, but it is a tradition on the AT. While I've heard of it on the PCT, all the naked hikers I've met there were either bathing, sun-drying, or soaking in a hot spring.

YMMV

definitely HYOH, BYOA (bare your own _ _ _ ).

For whatever reason, people who shouldn't be hiking naked are invariably the ones who do. :(

@Ben: speak for yourself.....

2 female hikers atop Kearsarge Pass on National Hike Naked Day

Edited by wandering_bob on 03/11/2012 16:50:40 MDT.

"For whatever reason, people who shouldn't be hiking naked are invariably the ones who do."

This reminds me of one more reason to hate mosquitos: They're never around when you need them. ;0]

There is no such a tradtion as "Hike Naked Day" in Europe, but some European countries like Germany have a century long tradition of naturism. Just recently a short naturist trail has opened in Germany where you can hike naked year round.... weather permitting.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-1215505/Naked-hiking-trail-set-launch-Germany-naturists.html

I have hiked on the AT, PCT and CDT during "hike naked day" but most hikers would just talk about it, but not actually do it - mostly due to mosquitoes and potential sunburn. Only occasionally you will see a naked hiker on that day.

June 20, 2012. Get your gear ready.

Edited by jshann on 03/11/2012 18:17:35 MDT.

"June 20, 2012. Get your gear ready."

And your DEET.

Edited by ouzel on 03/11/2012 18:11:42 MDT.

And sunscreen too.

Don't forget a blindfold.

OK Ben so I gotta know... WHY DID YOU TAKE THAT PICTURE??? And BTW Bob you got a front veiw of that picture

Edited by mtmnmark on 03/12/2012 10:42:45 MDT.

@Mark:

Ben's photo (correction: the photo which Ben posted)appears on the hikingnaked.com web site along with a couple of others.

And even if I had the front view photo, which I don't, I certainly would not post it here.

However, if you're really interested, you could always spend months hiking and hope to encounter that which you seek. Stranger things have happened, but that's another story and I didn't have a camera with me at the time.

Edited by wandering_bob on 03/12/2012 11:34:30 MDT.

@Mark -- I actually first saw the photo at this thread here. Separately, according to this article, the photo was actually a German hiker caught (and fined) in Switzerland for hiking naked and making a nuisance of himself.

Edited by ben2world on 03/12/2012 11:07:35 MDT.

I sweat a lot with much clothing so typically wear the above outfit.

Edited by dag4643 on 03/12/2012 11:20:03 MDT.

Is that Sean Connery? Gah, my brain.

I wouldn't recommend hiking naked in the southeast EVER. Remember Deliverance scene with Ned Betty. Just saying

Brad

Edited by wufpackfn on 03/12/2012 12:40:30 MDT.

You MAY find a senior backpacker hiking nekked. But it's not on purpose of course, it's only because they forgot to dress that morning. It's merely one among other things they forgot, like leaving their tent behind.

Have pity on the poor, forgetful senior. You'll be ther someday too - if you're lucky.

BTW, I did hike nekked on the AT in Virginia in 1995 and I have the photo to prove it. Just sayn'...

Edited by Danepacker on 03/12/2012 15:58:23 MDT.

Not with nettles and devil's club on the side of the trail, and it would space a group out quite a bit ;)

Years ago, we were headed up some switchbacks to find several 20-something women coming down the trail topless. It gave a whole new perspective to sternum strap design :) I made a superhuman effort to look them in the eye as they passed, but failed miserably. Well, maybe not miserably :D

Bob Thanks anyway Ben Good comeback