The American Mountain Men

[g123]

Hey Guys,

Are any of you a member of The American Mountain Men.

Thanks,

Geoff

 

[Skunk Ape]

Was probationary in AMM but never joined. still have friends in tho. I do belong to several other living history groups tho.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

If my beard gets any fuller, can I get honorary membership?

 

[KuRUpTD]

If my beard gets any fuller, can I get honorary membership?

I believe that's a prerequisite.

 

[Shotgun]

I've heard that it's a myth that mountain men had full beards. Most paintings and sketches from the time show clean shaven men and inventory lists always included straight razors in them. So no, sorry silenthunterstudios.

I have a full beard too though. It's about an inch below my chin right now.

 

[dextersp1]

I've heard that it's a myth that mountain men had full beards. Most paintings and sketches from the time show clean shaven men and inventory lists always included straight razors in them. So no, sorry silenthunterstudios.

I have a full beard too though. It's about an inch below my chin right now.

Good info. I would think that is what people would have done. Long hair and beards would have created problems - e.g. keeping clean and lice.

Any info as to how often they bathed? I'm guessing it would have been about 4 times a year or less.

It would be great if there was a movie that depicted the past - earlier than 1800? (let's say) in realistic terms - pot marked faces; mouths with few teeth and discolored, hair oily and stringy, handicapped people due to broken bones that weren't set properly, skinny, dirty ill fitting clothes.

Then there are the smells - animal excrement; human body odor, outhouses.

 

[baldtaco-II]

Good info. I would think that is what people would have done. Long hair and beards would have created problems - e.g. keeping clean and lice.

Any info as to how often they bathed? I'm guessing it would have been about 4 times a year or less.

It would be great if there was a movie that depicted the past - earlier than 1800? (let's say) in realistic terms - pot marked faces; mouths with few teeth and discolored, hair oily and stringy, handicapped people due to broken bones that weren't set properly, skinny, dirty ill fitting clothes.

Then there are the smells - animal excrement; human body odor, outhouses.

Interesting indeed. 'Tis my understanding that few put up with it for very long and those that did often just scratched a humble existence trying to pay off debts they accrued for tools, services and tobacco. As the saying says, "if you're a bit thick you better be tough".

 

[dextersp1]

Interesting indeed. 'Tis my understanding that few put up with it for very long and those that did often just scratched a humble existence trying to pay off debts they accrued for tools, services and tobacco. As the saying says, "if you're a bit thick you better be tough".

Yes, the people that made money were those that sold things to the explorers and miners.

 

[John G]

Of course, just to play devil's advocate, the bearded mountain men may have shaved just prior to having their photos taken.

 

[DrivebyTrucker]

Of course, just to play devil's advocate, the bearded mountain men may have shaved just prior to having their photos taken.

Yeah! And they weren't all dirty and stinky too. Some may have bathed regularly in streams or heated water for sponge baths. It's not as though people living in the city in those times had a posh Victorian existence.