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Re: [at-l] Trip Report, Thornton Gap to (ulp!) Skyland
- Subject: Re: [at-l] Trip Report, Thornton Gap to (ulp!) Skyland
- From: "Coosa" <coosa@fox21.net>
- Date: Mon, 12 Jun 2000 20:34:48 -0400
>> #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. :-)
And next time, it's drink drink drink, right?
>> 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. :-).
This is one of my weirdest things when I'm overheated -- pouring water down
my own shorts, but don't tell anyone, okay?
>
>> #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.
Weird as this appears, you can still hear the night sounds, but they're
nicely muffled like "white noise" and you can actually fall asleep faster.
You might also try one of the herbals -- at home first -- in the back
yard -- because sometimes they make you feel groggy in the AM. I'm using
5-HTP, have used melatonin.
>
>> #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.
Try to wean yourself about 3-5 days before you go out so that you don't get
the coffee headache -- and diluted gatorade is my 'drink' of choice (other
than dark brew when I'm in town) on the Trail.
>
>> #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....
When are you going to Damascus, VA or coming down here to Neel's Gap, GA?
I'm sure there's someone on this elist who can direct you to a good
outfitter near you.
>
>
>> #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?
natrapel is a natural citron bug repellant available at REI.
Just stick a bounce behind you on your pack, it will REDUCE the gnats, but
not totally eliminate them. Of course SNEEZING them away is an option, too.
>
>> #8- Was the rock you rested prone on hot or cool?
>
>Cool, shaded. It helped immensely.
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