Joshua Tree Organic Climbing Salve

I bought this salve based on a recommendation from Andrew Skurka (a professional backpacker that routinely hikes +6000 mile trips). I now wish I had found this stuff years ago!When I was professional woodworker/custom fabricator I always avoided most lotions and salves. Not because I did not need or want the protection (as I did), but because every type I used softened my skin, which only made additional scratches and scrapes more likely and damaging. They also all seemed useless on calluses. That is where this stuff is different, it offers the same conditioning and repair of other hand and foot balms, but does not soften skin. Instead it leaves a layer of protection behind that is not sticky (like raw beeswax can be) or that changes my grip in any way. And it conditions my calluses in a way that leaves them feeling like they actually should be part of my hands, not dry pads that could fall or scrape off under heavy exertion.Now that I have a white collar job, I use salve to recondition my hands and feet after backcountry camping trips. Amazingly it just visually eliminated all of the scrapes and nicks left on on my hands after 4 days of canyon hiking and scrambling in the Anza Borrego desert.I agree with others that it is best used at night before bed, as the application is a little oily. Smells unique, a bit outdoorsy and manly but not too strong, I kind of like it. Finally, its pricy considering it is mostly bees wax, but a little goes a long way so for me, well worth it.

I have been section hiking the Pacific Crest Trail since 2014, with 75 days total on trail; each year we hike consecutive 20+ mile days. It is both an art and science for blister prevention in these conditions, and this salve is an integral part in healing and maintaining healthy feet. When I first started using this product 2 years ago I was only putting it on my feet at night, but I noticed the next morning that the salve that remained on my feet had sufficient lubrication for a few hours before I had to re-apply. I was using a different product (Body Glide) during the day, but this year I decided to leave that home and instead just re-applied the Joshua Tree salve all day and it worked perfectly. Now I have one less thing to carry!Plus, every year after our hike my feet have numbness for a few weeks (family history of neuropathy) but this year it's not as bad after having used this product 24/7 during our hiking trip. My (Ayurvedic) massage therapist tells me that there are some ingredients in this salve that are restorative and this is why my feet aren't as sore this year.I wholeheartedly endorse this product for long distance hikers. Hat tip to Andrew Skurka's blog for recommending this product to the hiker community.

My daughters use this to help heal and soften their hands from gymnastics, bowling, and rock climbing. This in the ONLY lotion/ointment they’ve used that helps soften and heal without softening their calluses too much. Sounds weird, but they want to keep their calluses to prevent skin rips and blisters. This stuff is awesome!

I haven't used any of the other climbing specific lotions/salves, but this is amazing. You use a much smaller amount than a comparable lotion, so the price isn't as bad as it seems. It really moisturizes, and soothes while making your skin tougher unlike lotions. I wish i knew about this when doing concrete!Your hands are only greasy for 10-15 mins or so. I really enjoy the extra oils in this product.

I recently completed a 9-day Winter hike... I made sure my feet were in good condition before I left by using this most days for a month or so before I left.Plus, I also used it each day after my hike after my feet had dried. Each morning my feet were feeling great, and my feet held up SOO well.I also used it on my hands at the same time (as doing my feet). I hiked with a wooden shovel handle to use as a hiking pole and snow instrument to replace an ice axe. I know for sure without this salve my hands would have blistered up in no time carrying and swinging around the wooden pole all day.Now I just need to figure out if I can get a bigger jar.