Properly Take Care Of Your Business While Hiking

Before you leave home, decide what you will do about toilet paper. If you insist on having it, be warned you will have to carry the used paper out with you, preferably double-bagged. A more environmentally-friendly method is to use "natural toilet paper" - leaves, sticks, etc... I Use a biodegradable toilet paper that can be buried also.

When you feel the urge to go, always tell someone else in the group where you are going. This way, they can look out for you, and if you do not return after a short time, they will look for you to make sure you are safe.

Head out into the forest far enough so that people can no longer see you. If it is dark, do not wander too far from your camp, ask someone to accompany you, and always take a flashlight with you. Find a place at least 150 feet from camp and the trail, and 200 feet  from water sources.

Once you reach a desired place, grab a stick (or bring a small shovel) and dig a hole no more than 6 inches deep (the bacteria that properly break down this waste don't live deeper than that). This hole will function the same as an outhouse hole.

Do your business in the hole, and take care of the paperwork or if you use biodegradable wipes like i do you can bury them in the hole with your business .

Use a stick to stir some soil into your dropping, so soil bacteria can break it down more quickly. Then completely cover the material you deposited in the hole with dirt.

Head back to camp and wash or sanitize your hands before heading back to hiking or fixing you something to eat.

Please do not defecate in the snow. When the snow melts someone else will find your "present", as well as there is a possibility that the run-off, mixed with feces, will contaminate a water source.

Instead, walk until you find dirt as long as snow is not to deep . Try next to a tree because the snow will not be as deep plus you can use the lean method against the tree.

Steri Pen Water Purification

The SteriPEN Journey LCD is the easiest and most versatile water purifier on the market. SteriPEN uses ultra-violet light to destroy bacteria, viruses and protozoa, like Giardia, in seconds. Press the Journey’s single button once for a full liter or twice for half a liter. The LCD screen shows you the countdown. When purification is complete, a happy face appears. On the bottom, the battery status is shown. Wipe dry and enjoy safe drinking water anywhere. Avoiding travels diarrhea is easy with the Journey LCD. If the stream or lake contains particulates, first pre-filter the water – use a bandana, coffee filter or the new SteriPEN fits-all filter.

The fits-all filter can be used with narrow to wide-mouth bottles. In wide-mouth bottles use only the upper cup. Place the cup on the bottle, pull air vent and immerse in water. Wipe out the cup and remove the filter screen. The fits-all filter can now be used as a bottle adaptor for the SteriPEN Journey or Classic. Insert the Journey and flip the assembly upside down. When water covers the water sensors it triggers the UV light – gently agitate. The Journey’s durable UV lamp can purify 8,000 liters. Purifying in a commercial bottle is a key benefit when traveling in countries with unknown standards.

 In 48 seconds you can drink with confidence. To store the Journey, wipe dry and enjoy a long safe drink. The SteriPEN Journey LCD provides safe drinking water anywhere, anytime. And as one blogger said, “When’s that last time that your purifier smiled back at you?”

Hazards Of The Appalachian Trail Or Any Trails

Hazards

The Appalachian Trail is relatively safe. Most injuries or incidents are consistent with comparable outdoor activities. Most hazards are related to weather conditions, human error, plants, animals, diseases, and fellow humans encountered along the trail.

Many animals live around the trail, with bears, snakes, and wild boars posing the greatest threat to human safety. Several rodent- and bug-borne illnesses are also a potential hazard. In scattered instances, foxes, raccoons, and other small animals may bite hikers, posing risk of rabies and other diseases. There has been one reported case (in 1993) of hantavirus (HPS), a rare but dangerous rodent-borne disease affecting the lungs. The afflicted hiker recovered and hiked the trail the following year.

The section of the trail that runs through the Mid-Atlantic and New England states have a very high population of deer ticks carrying Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, and represents the highest density of reported Lyme Disease in the country. Hikers should understand the risks, and take appropriate precautions.

Plant life can create its own brand of problems. Poison ivy is common the length of the trail, and more plentiful in the South.

Hiking season of the trail generally starts in mid to late spring, when conditions are much more favorable in the South. However, this time may also be characterized by extreme heat, sometimes in excess of 100 °F (38 °C). Under such conditions, hydration is imperative. Light clothing and sunscreens are a must at high elevations and areas without foliage, even in relatively cool weather.

Further north and at higher elevations, the weather can be intensely cold, characterized by low temperatures, strong winds, hail or snow storms and reduced visibility. Prolonged rain, though not typically life-threatening, can undermine stamina and ruin supplies.

Violent crime, including murder, has occurred on the trail in a few instances. Most have been crimes by non-hikers who crossed paths relatively randomly with the AT hiker-victims. The official website of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy points out that the number of violent crimes is extremely low when compared against the number of people (3 to 4 million) who hike on the trail every year.

The first reported homicide on the trail was in 1974 in Georgia. In 1981, the issue of violence on the Appalachian Trail received national attention when Robert Mountford Jr. and Laura Susan Ramsay, both social workers in Ellsworth, Maine, were murdered by Randall Lee Smith. Another homicide occurred in May 1996, when two women were abducted, bound and murdered near the trail in Shenandoah National Park. The primary suspect was later discovered harassing a female bicycler in the vicinity, but charges against him were dropped, and the case remains unsolved.

Forest Service Closes Shining Rock and Graveyard Fields To Camping

The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: Forest Service Closes Shining Rock and Graveyard Fields To Camping :

The U.S. Forest Service announced yesterday that it is closing the Shining Rock Wilderness and Graveyard Fields areas to overnight camping due to ongoing bear encounters with humans.

The areas will be closed to dispersed camping until further notice. The agency will monitor conditions to determine when it is safe to reopen the areas.

On Monday night, a bear damaged a tent and food bag. Two people were in the tent at the time of the encounter, but no injuries were sustained. The encounter is the latest in a series of bear encounters in recent weeks.

Questions regarding the camping closure can be directed to the Pisgah Ranger District, 828-877-3265.


Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies

Rules And Sites To Backcountry Camping / Backpacking In GSMNP

Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires a permit for all backcountry camping in the park. Backcountry permits are free and are available at the following locations: Although in 2013 the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be charging 4 dollars per person for backcountry camping permits per site unless you are Thru- Hiking the Appalachian Trail and it is still free .

• Oconaluftee Visitor Center
• Sugarlands Visitor Center
• Twentymile Ranger Station
• Fontana Marina
• Fontana Dam Visitor Center
• Deep Creek Campground Office
• Smokemont Campground Office
• Cataloochee Valley near campground
• Big Creek Ranger Station
• Cosby Campground Office
• Greenbrier Ranger Station
• Elkmont Campground Office
• Tremont Environmental Center
• Cades Cove Campground Office
• Abrams Creek Ranger Station
• Balsam Mountain Campground (permits only available June-August at this location)

Backcountry permit registration areas are accessible 24 hours a day. Permits must be picked up in the park at one of the locations listed above. They are not available on the Internet or through email.

The park requires that you stay at designated campsites and shelters while camping in the backcountry.

Advance reservations are required to camp at the following sites:
• All shelters

• Backcountry Campsites 9, 10, 13, 17, 20, 21, 23, 24, 29, 36, 37, 38, 46, 47, 50, 55, 57, 60, 61, 71, 83, 84, 85, 86, 90, 113.

Plan your trip and determine which sites you wish to camp at. If your itinerary includes a reserved site or any shelter, you must have a reservation in addition to a permit. For reservations, call the Backcountry Reservation Office at (865) 436-1231. The Backcountry Reservation Office is open from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. daily. You may make reservations up to one month in advance of the first day of your trip. (For example, if you wish to backpack on August 8-12, you may call the Backcountry Reservation Office on July 8 to make reservations for the entire length of time you will be backpacking.) Be prepared to give your complete trip plan when calling the Backcountry Reservations Office.

Reservations for backcountry campsites may be obtained only by calling the phone number listed above. They are not available on the Internet or through email.

Please direct all questions concerning backpacking trip planning to the Backcountry Information Office at (865) 436-1297. The information office is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until noon (Eastern Standard Time).

When you arrive in the park, you must complete a permit at one of the 15 self-registration stations listed above. Your permit must designate the campsite or shelter at which you will stay for each night of your trip. Keep the permit with you and drop the top copy in the registration box.
If you do not plan to camp at a shelter or reserved campsite, then you only need to complete a permit. You do not need to call the Backcountry Reservation Office with your itinerary since no reservation is necessary.

The maximum stay at a campsite is three consecutive nights. You may not stay more than one night at any individual shelter. The use of tents at shelters is prohibited. The maximum group size is 8 persons, except at the following campsites where parties of 12 are permitted: 17, 20, 46, 60, 86, and 90. Please note that some campsites have a group size limit of fewer than 8 persons.

The park does not allow pets on backcountry trails.

Please call the reservations office to cancel any nights or spaces that become available because of changes in your plans.

 
 Backpackers and hikers are subject to all Backcountry Rules and Regulations. Failure to abide by park regulations may subject you to a fine under Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations. Maximum fine for each violation is $5,000 and/or 6 months in jail. 

Information provided by : Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 

Eagle Nest Outfitters DoubleNest Hammock

This is the Eagles Nest Outfitters DoubleNest Hammock. The DoubleNest is a hammock that is made large enough for two people so you can relax with anybody that you, ah, want to be that close to. It’s a nice parachute nylon material and packs down to a pretty small size with this compression strap that wraps around it. You’ve got extra space on the side, again, to fit two people in and it’s tied off here, at the end, with a very strong cording that gathers all the material together for strength. They also have a steel carabiner, that’s included, this clips right into your ENO (Eagles Nest Outfitters) SlapStrap or SlapStrap Pro or whatever other suspension system you may come up with climbing rope or another nylon cord of some sort. So that’s the DoubleNest. I have this hammock and have used it several times and love it better than tent camping especially when backcountry camping alone .

Common Fire-Starting Methods

Even if you find yourself without matches while hiking or backpacking, there are plenty of ways to start a fire without them. Below are a few of the most common methods of starting a campfire without the help of matches or a lighter.

 Flint and steel:
 Using flint and steel is one of the most primitive ways of starting a fire. There are multiple ways of using it and making your own kit. For an in-depth look, see CampfireDude’s Flint and Steel article.

Lenses (magnifying glass or eyeglasses):
 If it is a sunny day, angle your lens toward the sun. Put a ball of tinder under the lens as you concentrate the light into the smallest area possible. If you add water to the lens you will be able to intensify the beam.

Steel wool and batteries:
With a nine-volt battery and a strip of steel wool, simply touch the contacts of the battery to the wool. Blow on it gently to encourage flames and add it to your tinder.

Household items:

 Common items that can be found at home can be used as a quick and easy fire starter. Items include clothes dryer lint (which is extremely lightweight), candles, insect repellents and alcohol hand sanitizers.

Putting Out The Camfire :

Even if you may think your fire is completely out or can burn itself out, wind can come up and reignite the embers and make the fire start up again. As a safety precaution, drown the campfire with water or dirt once you are finished. Stir the fire’s remains to uncover any hot embers and throw on more water or dirt. Remember, only you can prevent wildfires!

Southern Forest Watch to sue Smokies over new backcountry camping fee

The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: Southern Forest Watch to sue Smokies over new backcountry camping fee : A group called the Southern Forest Watch has recently sent a letter notifying officials at the National Park Service that it intends to file a lawsuit challenging the $4 per-person, per-night, backcountry camping fee approved last March. The letter, sent by Knoxville attorney J. Myers Morton, was mailed to Dale Ditmanson, Great Smoky Mountains National Park superintendent; Ken Salazar, secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior; Jon Jarvis, director of the National Park Service; as well as Congressional Representatives and Senators from Tennessee and North Carolina.

A proposal for a new backcountry fee system was announced in July of 2011, and immediately created a firestorm of controversy and debate within the backpacking community.

The Southern Forest Watch group argues that the backcountry camping fee is illegal under several federal statutes, including the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and the Administrative Procedures Act, and intends to file the lawsuit after the fee goes into effect in early 2013.

You can read the full document by clicking here.

What are your thoughts? Is this a relevant lawsuit, or a waste of taxpayer dollars?

Jeff

HikingintheSmokys.com

Trail Advisories and Backcountry Warnings

Backcountry Facilities

For current backcountry trail and campsite information call (865) 436-1297 or (865) 436-1234. Please note these numbers are for backcountry trail and campsite information only.

Bear Warnings - areas where bears are active. Please read What Do I Do If I See A Bear? for important safety information about bears.
• Abrams Falls Trail
• Laurel Falls Trail
• Bullhead Trail
• Backcountry Campsites 34, 35, 62, 113
• Cosby Knob Shelter
• Derrick Knob Shelter
• Mount Le Conte Shelter
• Russell Field Shelter
Areas Closed Due to Bear Activity• Backcounty Campsites 13, 21, 24

Backcountry Areas Closed Due to Storm Damage or Trail Rehabilitation• Chimney Tops Trail will be closed Mondays through Thursdays, April 30 - October 18, for trail rehabilitation. more information...
• Ace Gap Trail
• Beard Cane Trail and campsites #3 and #11
• Chestnut Top Trail
• Goshen Prong Trail and campsite #23
• Gunter Fork Trail
• Hannah Mountain Trail and campsite #14
• Hatcher Mountain Trail• Rabbit Creek Trail and campsites #15 and #16
• Scott Mountain Trail (campsite #6 is open, but is accessible only from Crooked Arm/Indian Grave Gap)
• West Prong Trail from Tremont Road to campsite #18. The trail is open from Bote Mountain Trail to campsite #18.The campsite is also open.
Trail CautionsPlease note that the park's backcountry is managed as a natural area where the forces of nature determine trail conditions. The following list includes some conditions that the park is currently aware of. However, hikers may encounter trail conditions not listed below that require caution. Be prepared for swollen streams, bridge washouts, downed trees, and trail erosion when hiking in the park's backcountry.
• Middle Prong Trail - The first bridge on this trail has undergone temporary repairs. Stock users are advised to walk stock across the bridge.
• Trails throughout the park, especially those on the western end, have numerous downed trees due to severe storms. Please see the list of closed trails above. Other trails may have areas that are difficult to negotiate due to downed trees.
• Boat shuttles to and from Hazel Creek when lake levels are low are from the Ollie Cove Trailhead on the Hazel Creek embayment. Ask the shuttle service about this when making a reservation to be dropped or picked up. This is due to a bridge that is out of service on Hazel Creek and adds about 1/2 mile to the hike. Ollie Cove Trail is new - trail signs are in place to direct you from the Hazel Creek Trail and Lakeshore Trail intersection to Ollie Cove Trail that is one mile east on Lakeshore Trail from Hazel Creek.

GSMNP Backcountry Campsites And Trail Closings

Backcountry Areas Closed

• Backcountry Campsites 3, 11 closed due to tornado damage

• Beard Cane Trail closed due to tornado damage

• Hatcher Mountain Trail North of its intersection with Little Bottoms Trail closed due to tornado damage

• Gunter Fork Trail closed due to landslides

• Chimney Tops Trail is scheduled to be closed on Mondays through Thursdays, April 30 - October 18, 2012 for trail rehabilitation.

For current backcountry trail and campsite information call (865) 436-1297 or (865) 436-1231. Please note these numbers are for backcountry trail and campsite information only.

Smokies Backcountry Camping Fee Approved

The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: Smokies Backcountry Camping Fee Approved: Well this will surely cause a stir - given the ferocious opposition to the original proposal:

Great Smoky Mountains Superintendent Dale A. Ditmanson has announced today that the Park's proposal to begin collecting for the use of the Park's backcountry campsites and shelters has been approved by the National Park Service. This approval clears the way for the Park to move forward with developing an online system to collect fees beginning in 2013 for reserving and use of the Park's backcountry by overnight hikers and equestrians.

The Park developed the plan in order to improve its trip-planning and reservation services to users and to expand its backcountry Ranger presence to better protect park resources through enforcement of food-storage and other regulations and improved visitor education regarding Leave-No-Trace principles.

The proposal was open for public comment last summer and some 230 written comments and two petitions were received during the comment period. According to Ditmanson, the public comments provided a great deal of constructive input on the concerns Park backcountry users had about the fee plan. "Many commenters were under the misconception that the Smokies is legally prohibited from charging user fees. The Park is prohibited from charging a toll or license fee from motorists crossing Park roads, by language in a 1951 deed under which the ownership of some park roads was transferred from the State of Tennessee to the National Park Service. But, we have long been authorized to collect user fees for specific activities such as front country camping, weddings, and commercial filming."

"There was also a significant amount of concern about our initial plan to utilize the same computerized federal reservation system, www.recreation.gov that virtually all national parks use to reserve drive-in sites in front country campgrounds. We acknowledge that some of the policies, such as the lead time for making reservations and cancellations, are not a good fit for more spontaneous backcountry users. We will not use that system unless we are convinced that it can provide the level of service we want to offer, and are exploring the alternative of developing a stand-alone software program tailored specifically to the Smokies. The system developed will also need to be practicable for Appalachian Trail thru hikers whose itineraries evolve from day-to-day."

"Concern was also raised about the range of fee amounts that were under consideration and that the resulting revenues may be diverted to other programs. We have decided to focus our plans around the lowest and simplest of the fees under study: $4 per night per person. Most importantly, 100% of the revenue from this program will be invested in improving back-country services through extended hours of the back-country office, trip-planning assistance, on-line reservations, and protection of park resources through increased ranger staff. "

Now that the proposal has been approved, Park managers plan to provide periodic updates as plans for the reservation system evolve.

Laurel Creek Road and Cades Cove Closed Until Noon...

The Smoky Mountain Hiking Blog: Laurel Creek Road and Cades Cove Closed Until Noon...: Managers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park have announced that the Laurel Creek Road, which carries traffic from the Townsend, TN Entrance into Cades Cove will be closed until noon on the morning of Thursday, March 1. The closure will allow the Park to safely remove two very large hazardous trees. The closure applies to hikers and cyclists as well as vehicles.Traffic coming into the Townsend Entrance and traveling east-bound on Little River Road enroute to Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC will not be affected.

Group Camping In The GSMNP

The park has seven areas where groups may camp. These areas are listed below, along with the operation dates and numbers to call for information. They are open only during the months listed. You must have reservations to stay at these areas. These areas will accommodate tents only. Trailers, campers, or other wheeled units are not permitted. Also be aware that showers and electric hookups are not available.
 
 
The minimum party size is eight, and the maximum length of stay is seven nights in these areas. Check out time is noon. You are welcome to call the ranger station to obtain site-specific information, but be aware that the ranger stations are field offices and are not staffed during all hours!
 
 
All group campsites require reservations. To make reservations, you must call the National Park Reservation Service at: 800-365-2267
 
Camping dates may be reserved up to five months in advance, and payment is required at the time the reservation is made.
 
 

Campground	Phone #	Open	Close	Sites	Max # of people	Fee
Big Creek	828-486-5910	mid Mar	beg Nov	1	25	$ 40.00
Cades Cove	800-365-2267	mid Mar	beg Nov	2	20	$ 33.00
Cades Cove	800-365-2267	mid Mar	beg Nov	1	30	$ 48.00
Cades Cove	800-365-2267	mid Mar	beg Nov	1 (pavilion)	30	$ 63.00
Cataloochee	828-497-1930	mid Mar	beg Nov	3	25	$ 30.00
Cosby	423-487-2683	mid Mar	beg Nov	3	20	$ 20.00
Deep Creek	828-488-3184	beg Apr	beg Nov	3	20	$ 30.00
Elkmont	800-365-2267	mid Mar	beg Nov	1	12	$ 23.00
Elkmont	800-365-2267	mid Mar	beg Nov	1	15	$ 23.00
Elkmont	800-365-2267	mid Mar	beg Nov	2	20	$ 33.00
Elkmont	800-365-2267	mid Mar	beg Nov	1	30	$ 48.00
Smokemont	800-365-2267	mid Mar	beg Nov	1	15	$ 23.00
Smokemont	800-365-2267	mid Mar	beg Nov	2	20	$ 33.00

February Events in The GSMNP

Family Adventure Weekend

Dates: 02/10/2012,02/11/2012,02/12/2012 Time:  Location:  Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont

Summary: Spend a weekend with the family exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This weekend is chock-full of hikes, crafts, games, waterfalls, beautiful views, campfires, and plenty of time to enjoy being with the ones you love.

Fees: $422 for family of four ages 6 and up ($95 for each additional person)

Details: Run away from home and bring the family with you! What better way to spend a weekend with the family than exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This weekend is chock-full of hikes, crafts, games, waterfalls, beautiful views, campfires, and plenty of time to enjoy being with the ones you love. We will provide opportunities for discovery and adventure AND we do all the cooking! It doesn't get much better than this! Join our talented staff for a weekend you will never forget. Program lasts from Friday supper through Sunday lunch, February 11-13. Cost: $422 for family of four ages 6 and up ($95 for each additional person). Advance registration required. Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is an educational partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tremont is a non-profit environmental education center that provides in-depth education programs that celebrate ecological and cultural diversity, foster stewardship, and nurture appreciation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. For additional information, visit Tremont's website at http://www.gsmit.org/

Contact: Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont

Email: mail@gsmit.org

Phone: (865) 448-6709

Oconaluftee Old Time Music Jam Session

Dates: Every 3rd Saturday of every month. from 10/15/2011 to 12/15/2012 Times:  1:00 PM to 3:00 PM Location:  Oconaluftee Visitor Center Porch

Summary: Join us on the front porch of the visitor center for a jam session. All levels of playing are welcome.

Fees: Free

Details: Join us on the front porch of the visitor center for a jam session. Anyone who plays and would like to share their talents can join in the music gathering regardless of playing level even beginner musicians. The jams will follow an "around-the-circle" format, where folks may lead tunes/songs or pass the tune choice to the next person. Join in or just come and listen!

Contact: Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Phone: (828) 497-1904

Adventures In Stoving: The New MSR MicroRocket -- Completed Review

Adventures In Stoving: The New MSR MicroRocket -- Completed Review: If you've been following my blog at all, you know I've been evaluating the new MicroRocket stove from MSR. The new MSR MicroRocket As a ...

Hiking In Thunderstorms

Hikes to peaks need to start early, so you can get to the top and get back down before the afternoon clouds build up.

During a lightning storm stay in a section of forest of trees the same height, not on a ridge, not under the tallest trees, not in a cave, under a rock overhang, leaning against a tree or standing on the exposed roots of a tree.

If caught out in an open area (you saw the clouds forming, and you had plenty of time to get to a safe place--what are you doing there?), spread everybody far apart and crouch down (don't lie down). Keep your feet close together. Keep your hands off the ground. Do not lie flat on the ground!!

This position includes squatting (or sitting) and balling up so you are as low as possible without getting prone. Wrap your arms around your legs, both to offer a safer path than your torso for electrons to flow from the ground, and to add enough comfort that you will choose to hold the position longer.Keep your feet together so you don't create potential for current to flow in one foot and out the other ... current may spontaneously trigger your leg muscles to jump while in the lightning position, so take care to avoid being near hazards when you drop into this position.
Crouch on something insulating if possible, such as your ensolite sleeping pad, or climbing rope. Even dry moss or grass or a snow patch is better than bare rock. Especially if you have to sit instead of crouch, get some insulation under your buttocks.

Get metal objects away from you (they don't attract lightning but they carry induced currents which, although they are small, can add to ground currents and make the difference between getting zapped a little and getting zapped too much or burnt. A woman's watch was burned to her wrist in one instance.)

Stay out of small depressions. Pick a slight rise instead. Not in standing water or a puddle.
Hey! Spread out your group so you aren't all hit at once
But mostly, pick a place quickly and get down, and stay down.

Estimating the Distance from a Thunderstorm

Because light travels much faster than sound, lightning flashes can be seen long before the resulting thunder is heard. Estimate the number of miles you are from a thunderstorm by counting the number of seconds between a flash of lightning and the next clap of thunder. Divide this number by five.

Treatment Principles

· Scene Safety: Avoid further injury to survivors, rescuers, and the patient. You may have to wait for the storm to pass to treat
some patients if they are in extremely hazardous locations.

· Basic Life Support: Rescuers should be prepared to provide prolonged rescue breathing.

· Triage: Unlike normal triage protocols in multi-casualty situations, attend first to those who are in cardiac or respiratory arrest
without obvious lethal injury.

· Assessment: All patients require a complete body survey and careful evaluation for head, spinal, long bone, or cardiac injuries.

Peripheral pulses, and sensory and motor status, should be assessed. Check the skin for small hidden burns.

· Monitor closely for cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological collapse.

· Evacuate any patient obviously injured by lightning, and be alert for lingering physical or neurological issues from exposure to
lightning that should be evacuated for further evaluation and treatment. 

How To Build A Survival Shelter

First of all, location is key. Aside from the normal criteria which includes avoiding low spots, steering clear of standing dead trees, etc….proximity to materials can save a lot of time and energy. Take the time to find a spot that feels right.

For construction, the first thing you’ll need to build a survival shelter is a strong ridegepole that is at least a little taller than you are with your arm stretched above your head. You’ll also need something for one end of the ridgepole to securely rest on—a stump, boulder, fork of a tree, some kind of prop. The other end rests on the ground. At the high end, the ridgepole should be at about hip height.

Once your ridgepole is in place, you’ll need ribbing. Lean the ribs against the ridgepole fairly close together leaving a door at the high end. Once ribs are in place, crawl inside feet first checking to see that you have a little room to move, but that it is still snug and cozy. If your survival shelter is too big, you will have trouble staying warm. Imagine you are making a sleeping bag out of natural materials!

Next, add a layer of lattice, something to act as a net to hold debris in place when it is piled on next. Brush and twiggy branches may work well. The debris that you have available can help determine how small the spaces in your lattice can be.

The structure is now in place and it is time for the essential component of insulation. Of all the things you’ll learn about how to build a survival shelter, not having enough insulation on a cold night will teach you quickly what is required. Get ready to shuffle your feet or make yourself a rake and start gathering debris! For good insulation, you’ll want material that can trap air. Obviously, dry material is optimal. Pile on your leaves, ferns, grass, or other available debris.
Keep piling, keep piling, go for TWO FEET THICK or more if you might get rained on. Be sure to close up the door area so that you have just enough room to squeeze in without disturbing the structure. Crawl in to see how your cocoon feels. Finish up your insulation by adding some small branches that will hold the debris in case of wind, maintaining as much loft as possible.

Now that the outer layer is complete, it is time to stuff your primitive survival shelter with dry soft debris. If you only have wet leaves, use them anyway, you may get wet, but you can still be warm. Once your shelter is full of debris, wiggle in to compress a space for your body. Add more debris as needed, and don’t forget the foot area! Fill up the spaces if you are concerned about being cold. Before you crawl in for the night in your primitive shelter, gather a pile of leaves near the door so that you can close yourself in most of the way.

Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiking Tips

Datto's Tip -- Clothes
As some of you prepare for the start of your upcoming AT thru-hike I'll bet you might be in the process of cutting pack weight. Clothes are certainly an area to consider when looking to shed those ounces. Pretty much every single AT thru-hiker that I met in Georgia on the AT during Year 2000 was carrying way too many clothes, including me.
Basically, look at it this way -- if it gets so bitter cold that you'd need big heavy clothes just to stay warm, you'll likely be getting off the Trail for a few days to wait out the weather. Getting off the Trail for a day or two to wait out weather is not unusual, particularly during the early spring and during autumn.
On the other hand, you don't want to cut back on weight so much that you never get warm while you're on the Trail. And that's what your sleeping bag is for. If you are out on the Trail and the temps do drop so far that you get very cold, get into your sleeping bag, take a break and get warm.
If you haven't yet had the chance to be backpacking in colder temps then you may not be aware of how much heat your body generates while carrying that thing called a backpack. It's not uncommon to see AT thru-hikers wearing only a t-shirt and shorts in 40-50* temps. So, while you're hiking it's likely you'll be warm -- it's only when you stop hiking to take a break or set up camp does the cold seem apparent.
Raincoat -- something on the order of 18 ounces or less. You can actually find a thru-hiker raincoat for about 13 ounces or less. If you're carrying a raincoat that weighs 30 ounces you have a big opportunity to shed some pack weight. Keep in mind that as an AT thru-hiker, the purpose of the raincoat isn't so much to keep you dry but to keep you warm when it's raining and windy. Right now I'm carrying a Red Ledge Thunderlight raincoat which, for me, would be fine to handle the task on an AT thru-hike. Here's what that raincoat looks like
Insulated Jacket -- Get something at 20 ounces or less with man-made insulation in it (not a down jacket -- a down jacket will be soaked and worthless for insulation). Polarguard 3D insulation or Primaloft -- both are pretty good for insulating when the insulation gets wet. Right now if I was to start a northbound AT thru-hike this spring I'd be taking either my Patagonia Puffball jacket or my Golite Coal jacket. I took the Puffball on my Year 2000 northbound AT thru-hike and it performed admirably. The jacket design from Patagonia for the Puffball isn't the same today though. The Golite Coal jacket has a removable insulating hood and the Puffball doesn't. There were definitely times on the AT in Year 2000 I wished I'd have had that hood. Both of my insulated jackets are insulated with Polarguard 3D, both have DWR finish (either one would be soaked often either due to sweat or by being worn under my raincoat, regardless of the DWR finish). Both are very warm for the ounce weight.
Long-underwear -- one pair at 8 ounces or less (two pair is overkill) -- make sure these are made entirely of man-made materials -- no cotton percentage at all. The one's I wore on my northbound AT Year 2000 thru-hiker were the Ozark brand from Wal-mart and they did well for the weight. I wore one pair for the south end of the AT and then swapped in a new pair for the north end of the AT.
Lightweight Nylon Pants -- one pair, 8-10 ounces (two pairs are overkill) -- these are for warmth and wind resistance. They should have no cotton percentage in them at all. Typically in cold weather if you needed more warmth on your lower body than what you'd have with your long-underwear and outside shorts then wear these nylon pants overtop. If it got colder than that while you're hiking with your backpack, then it's probably too cold to be on the Trail. I only had maybe 4-5 days on the Trail where I'd wished I'd had something warmer on my legs while I was hiking.
Outside Shorts -- one pair (two pairs are overkill) . The liner of these shorts, if you have one, is your underwear -- most men won't need real underwear on the Trail. Some thru-hikers wore bike shorts rather than gym shorts or swim suits. These outside shorts alone are for hiking in warmer weather -- slightly colder temps might have you wearing your long-johns underneath these outside shorts (gives you that chic thru-hiker look). Certainly would be good to have at least one pocket on the outside shorts be a zippered pocket so valuables don't go jangling out of your pockets while you're hiking. Speaking of jangling, some thru-hikers cut out the liner of their shorts and went bo jangles so they didn't get jock rot.
Fleece Balaclava -- definitely the warmest type of hat to have around. I hiked more than a few days on my thru-hike wearing a balaclava during the day.
Baseball Hat -- not only does it keep your head warm and keep the sun out of your eyes (the sun is quite bright in the springtime before the leaves fill the trees) but also, for me anyhow, a way to combat some of the gnats that will be attacking your face while you're hiking (bill down through the gnats -- the gnats are attracted to carbon dioxide from your breathing and the bill of my baseball hat seemed to keep them from getting the full blast of my carbon dioxide).
Gloves -- bring the type of gloves that will keep you warm when your gloves are soaked from being rained on for days on end. For me, the Outdoor Research fleece gloves that I carried on my thru-hike and intended for this purpose were worthless. My hands always seemed to be cold when I wore those OR fleece gloves regardless of whether it was while I was hiking or while I was at the shelter. If I was to go on an AT thru-hike today I'd take my heavier gloves that I know are warm and leave the lightweight fleece gloves at home. Or leave all the gloves at home and just put my hands in my coat pockets if my hands were cold while I was standing around.
Socks -- bring two pair of good hiking socks (and two pairs of man-made fiber liner socks if you're the kind that wears liner socks -- make sure your boots are over-sized if you're going to use thick socks and/or liner socks). On my AT thru-hike I used Smartwool brand Expedition Trekking socks or Thorlo brand Hiker or Light Hiker socks. The Smartwool Expedition Trekking socks definitely held up the best but were also the most expensive. If I was going to start an AT thru-hike this spring I'd probably just get some Smartwool Expedition Trekking socks and swap in a new pair every 400 miles or so.
Insoles -- for me these were very important in making my boots more comfortable. I used several types on my AT thru-hike and eventually settled on Spenco because I thought they were the best value. I'd swap out the insoles about every 500-600 Trail miles or so.
Long sleeve T-shirt -- I carried one of these -- only during the colder months. The shirt was a Duofold Coolmax turtleneck type that had the five rings of the Olympic Games on it. Town folk would see the Olympic rings and joke with me asking if I was training for the Olympics. I told them, "Yeah, I'm a downhill skier. That's why I carry these ski poles with me wherever I go." Then I'd make swooshing sounds and move my hips back and forth while slaloming my Leki hiking poles to the left and right..
Lastly, make sure you cut off all of the tags from the shirts -- otherwise you may get a rubbing spot or skin burn from a tag moving back and forth as you hike.
Short sleeve T-shirt -- for the one's you wear on the Trail while you're hiking, make sure they're made of man-made materials -- no cotton in them at all. Most people wore either the less expensive Duofold Coolmax type T-shirts or the more expensive Patagonia lightweight Capilene or silkweight Capilene T-shirts. I wore the Duofold Coolmax T-shirts and swapped in new ones every 700 miles or so. Note the T-shirts you wear on your thru-hike are likely going to be so skanked up that it's likely they'll stink bad after your thru-hike (at least to the people around you who aren't thru-hikers that is -- Ha, probably most thru-hikers won't notice your skank above their own, which they'll be thinking is the normal way things are supposed to smell). During the hot summer months a few thru-hikers wore cotton T-shirts -- I had a cotton T-shirt that I never wore while I was hiking but wore only in town.


                                                     Information By Datto ( AT Thru-Hiker )

Appalachian Trail Videos

These are some very interesting hikes through and along the Appalachian Trail that I thought some might like to view or they may contain helpful information.

Emergency Information For GSMNP

Numbers to call for emergencies:
Park Rangers (865) 436-9171
             
Cherokee Police (828) 497-4131

Gatlinburg Police (865) 436-5181

Haywood County Sheriff (828) 452-6666


Area Hospitals:

Blount Memorial Hospital
907 E Lamar Alexander Parkway
Maryville, TN
(865) 983-7211

LeConte Medical Center
742 Middle Creek Road
Sevierville, TN
(865) 446-7000

Swain County Hospital
45 Plateau Street
Bryson City, NC
(828) 488-2155

Haywood Regional Medical Center
262 Leroy George Drive
Clyde, NC
(828) 456-7311