[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: [at-l] Trip Report, Thornton Gap to (ulp!) Skyland
- Subject: Re: [at-l] Trip Report, Thornton Gap to (ulp!) Skyland
- From: Tom Williams <Williams@AB.EDU>
- Date: Mon, 12 Jun 2000 16:35:30 -0400
- Organization: Alderson-Broaddus College
> #2- were you hydrating at each opportunity? Did you hydrate before you went
> to sleep and anytime you awoke during the night?
A little. I'm pretty sure, not enough. :-)
> #3- clothingwise, were you dressed too warmly?
Nope. Shorts, wicking undies, wicking sleeveless tee shirt.
> Were you using water to cool
> down, pouring it on your head or clothes? was there any place to 'soak your
> feet in a cold mountain stream'?
No, didn't use water as an external coolant. No streams
(one of the reasons I missed Otter Creek. :-).
> #4- Buy some Ear Plugs so you can get a better night's sleep. Half of the
> term "heat exhaustion" is Exhaustion, no need to be hot AND tired if you can
> help it. A good night's sleep is expecially important when hiking in any
> extreme weather.
Neat idea! I like the night sounds (usually), but in
bear country it may make more sense to get the sleep.
> #5- Can you go without the diuretic (coffee) -- check out how it affects
> your ability to cool off when it's hot.
(shudder) I'll consider it. Certainly, if coffee has moved from
Tasty Luxury to Nasty Poison I will have to swear off it, at least
during hot weather. Besides, it is a relatively heavy part of my
food bag, and (even after spreading the grounds a bit) a heavy
part of my pack-out garbage.
> #6- Find an outfitter who can help get that Kelty E-frame fit for your
> torso. A badly fitting pack just adds stress and stress adds body heat.
I wondered if it was a factor. OTOH, there aren't that many outfitters
in North Central WV. I may have to find a knowledgeable Kelty
dealer elsewhere....
> #7- can you use Natrapel instead of deet products? And have you tried the
> 'regular' Bounce Dryer Sheet to keep some of the flies and gnats away? It's
> not perfect, but it does reduce the numbers and give your insect repellant a
> fighting chance.
I keep reading that Deet works best. I'm not sure I have heard
of Natrapel -- tell me more. Bounce dryer sheets tend to
make me sneeze, a fact that sometimes annoys my wife. What
do they do re: bugs?
> #8- Was the rock you rested prone on hot or cool?
Cool, shaded. It helped immensely.
> Did you have enough water to cool yourself?
Have, yes. Consume, no.
> #9- Your attempt at Tuckerization is only the starting point, list your pack
> contents and weights for the group to assist you in taking that 40# down to
> around 20-25# without spending a lot of money.
Will do. It may take a day or so to get 'em together.
You guys are ruthless. I'll bet this is like AA. "Hello,
my name is Tom, and I (sob) overpack."
> #10- More important than reaching a "hiking goal" is knowing when to forego
> the goal for safety or health reasons. Better to email from home after a
> hike than to be laying in a hospital bed for a hiking injury or illness due
> to overexertion.
So say all of my friends. Thanks!
-Tom Williams
* From the AT-L | Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html *
==============================================================================