[at-l] Gear List For January AT Hike

[thornel@attglobal.net (W F Thorneloe)]

It is pretty easy to get dehydrated in winter with low humidity, frozen 
water and exertion. It is common to make hypothermia worse by drinking cold 
water - or even worse - eating snow.  It takes a lot of calories to warm up 
water. Winter hiking without a stove and heat source is taking a pretty big 
risk. I am certain that some can do it, but I don't know that anyone would 
find it fun. You can even get into trouble by trying to drink water that is 
too hot, possibly reheating the person too quickly and risking cardiac 
irregularities.

It is a good idea to bring Jello and sugar, as this is a great way to get a 
hypothermic person rehydrated and nourished quickly. I made the mistake of 
leaving a 2 liter Platypus bag outside my sleeping bag last March in the 
Smokies, leaving myself with 4 pounds of useless ice the next AM. If you 
can keep water thawed and warm near you without allowing it to become a 
heat sink, you can keep pretty well hydrated.

Winter hiking is wonderful, but certainly not a walk in the park as we have 
the other seasons. I'd never go alone again as I know the early symptoms of 
problems can be cognitive. I haven't figured out a good backup for a 
chilled brain. I'd hope that anyone deciding to winter hike alone would 
bring a heat source and companion.

OrangeBug

At 09:43 AM 12/21/2001 -0600, t. wrote:
>I just think it would be dangerous to attempt this.   Your body needs the
>warmth and fluids.  (maybe our list docs can comment on this) .   Especially
>after exercising all day.   replenishing yourself with ice water just
>doesn't seem wise.