[at-l] warming up after hiking

[orangebug74@yahoo.com (Orange Bug)]

The problem in hypothermia is difficulty in maintaining core
temperature. There are a few bottlenecks. One is blood sugar which is
regulated by diet, insulin, glycogen storage, fat storage, glucose
burning and other intricate events. Another is hydration as you must
have enough free water on board to metabolize fat, glycogen, glucose
and other calorie sources. Hydration puts the "B" back in subtle in
winter. You spend more water in warming and hydrating your air supply,
as well as sweat into a very low humidity environment. You use water
and electrolytes in working your muscles. You may not realize the
amount of work compared to warm weather hiking because visible sweat
and water/electrolyte loss is not obvious - it evaporates rapidly as
the Gortex does its job. This evaporation cools you. [This could really
get interesting if a Vapor Barrier fan gets going.]

Shivering is a significant bit of work to maintain warmth by moving a
large amount of muscle. This work serves to warm you. If you are
dehydrated, lack potassium or calcium, or lack sugar you lose the
ability to shiver effectively and enter the next bad news stage of
hypothermia. 

The idea of Jello or other flavored sugar solution is to get rapid
hydration and blood sugar, as well as some warmth into the core. There
could be a "sugar crash" once insulin is mobilized to put the extra
blood glucose into muscle and liver. It is your responsiblity to borrow
time with warm Jello water to get longer acting nutrition and hydration
and electrolyte replacement running.

You need to learn how to judge the amount of work you are doing in
winter hiking. You don't have the sweating and heat of summer to grab
your attention. Simple things like attending to your breathing pattern
(mouth open or not?), ability to talk conversationally and pace of
walking is important to follow. Noticing the depth of snow cover and
the impression of your boots also helps detect the amount of work. The
amount of work increases exponentially with boot impression depth.

A hiking buddy helps you do this with conversation and mutual signals
to hydrate, snack or walk on a pace. A hiking buddy can assist in
rewarming and detecting hypothermia before trouble. While you are
learning these skills, it makes sense to have a hiking buddy,
especially if you know of pre-existing medical and metabolic
challenges. This may not be very necessary while training, but gets
real important when shivering 8 miles from a road crossing.

Last March I got myself into a hazardous situation in the Smokies
during a blizzard, alone. I feel I was irresponsible taking such a
chance. I've corresponded with others who have had terrific winter solo
hikes, but wouldn't generally publish reports as others could be
tempted to put themselves (and rescue workers) into hazard.

Winter hikes are special. Skies are clearer. Views are starker. Sounds
are crisper. Nights are longer. Food tastes better. And lots of
superlatives.... 

Just share it with someone and avoid sharing a story of heroic rescues
and near misses.

Bill...

--- SaraSW@aol.com wrote:
> As a hypoglycemic myself, I've often wondered, when folks have
> recommended  the warm jello water (warm sugar water, that is)
> restorative, whether it would work for me. Will the impact on
> hypothermia be enough to compensate for the sugar crash later, or do
> I use the jello to deal with temperature and then start eating
> foods that will compensate for the high sugar level?


__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail!
http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/