[at-l] Thru-hiking Tips -- Bugs

[datto_atl2@xxxxxxxxx (Datto)]

On my thru-hike beginning about North Carolina and ending
about Glencliff, NH I carried a bug headnet as well as a
bug shirt. You might consider that too since neither weighs
very much.

Here's the bug headnet I carried on my thru-hike (I think
this is it):
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=226&prrfnbr=1049

Here's the bug shirt I carried on my thru-hike (I know this
is it):
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=4021&parent_category_rn=4500559

Man I was the envy of so many thru-hikers in North Carolina
and when I came up to the shelter just before Wayhesboro in
Virginia. Everyone was being attacked by bugs through those
sections and I had a lot of questions about where to get a
headnet.

Make sure whatever you get is made of no-see-um netting
(has to say that in the description) or else it'll be
pretty much worthless in gnat country (gnat country being
parts of North Carolina and Virginia, Mosquito country
being New Jersey particularly and for me, Connecticut).

The bug shirt will only give you some protection from
mosquitos (their proboscus will stick through the netting
on the shirt even if it is no-see-um netting). But for me
it's better than no protection through some places like New
Jersey where you'll be walking through swamps and
Connecticut where on my thru-hike the mosquitos were crazy.
Some PCT hikers use the GoLite jacket and pants for
mosquito protection but those may be too hot to wear in
Virginia on the AT.

I'd say the bug headnet added about 5* to the apparent
temps of my head. That doesn't sound like much but when the
temps in Virginia are 99*F it seems like it's pretty hot.
But for sanity sake, for me I'd rather have the extra heat
and not be driven crazy by bugs while I'm hiking.

Note that gnats are attracted to the carbon dioxide you're
breathing out. The harder you breath carrying that
backpack, the more gnats show up and join the gnat party
(oh like you can not breath hard carrying that backpack...I
crack myself up sometimes). I saw several thru-hikers who
had gnats fly right into their eyes or sucked into their
mouth in North Carolina.

I also carried Deet and use it under the bug shirt when the
Mosquitos got really bad. It kept the most agressive
mosquitos from remaining oriented enough for an attack
through the screen of my bugshirt.

Here's the Deet I carried:
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=226&prrfnbr=1064

I'd previously tried the Ben's Deet with a pump spray
bottle and it leaked all over so I just stayed with the
lotion type of dispenser.

Believe it or not, I was still carrying Deet during a
blizzard in Maine. I'm claiming it was for spicing up the
Liptons.

Datto


__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
http://mailplus.yahoo.com