As the weather turns colder the quest for outdoors adventure starts to come to an end for some. For others the fun is just beginning. Hiking in the fall and winter can be extremely rewarding. The absence of crowds, less restrictions and a greater chance of seeing wildlife are some of the benefits of continuing to explore even after the days get shorter and the mercury starts to drop.
A critical component of enjoying hiking (or its wintertime cousin snow shoeing) in the colder months is wearing the right clothes. Although our forefathers climbed mighty peaks and explored the arctic reaches wearing cotton, fur, wool and leather, new synthetic materials available today can do the same job more efficiently and with far less bulk.
When dressing for colder weather you need to consider your internal thermostat. Do you normally run hot or cold? Does the though of wearing a pack make you break into a sweat or are you wearing a long sleeve shirt and shivering on an eighty degree day because there is a light breeze? If you tend to run cold then heavier clothing will be in order, if you tend to run hot than multiple layers will probably work better.
The best way to keep warm is by wearing layers. Insulation works by trapping air in tiny pockets that then retain heat, forming a bubble of warmth around your skin. Each layer traps more air, allowing more warmth to be captured. The more layers you wear, the warmer you will become. This is why down is such a superior insulation material and who fur on a polar bear is actually silvery hollow tubes. If we make you a virtual onion we can peel down the layers that are key to keeping you warm.
Layer Five - Protecting The Extremities: Keeping your hands, feet, head and face warm is critical when you are in the outdoors. These outer areas are the most likely to be affected by frostbite and half of your body heat escapes through your head.
In the case of keeping your head warm two hats are better than one. A light cotton blend or synthetic material to help wick sweat away and keep itchy wool off your head aids in comfort. Fleece, wool, and synthetic materials are superior as an outer layer. Your outer shell (that is part of layer four) should have a hood to help keep your head dry when it rains or snows.
In more extreme situations a facemask might be needed to protect you from the biting wind and frostbite. Be sure to pick a synthetic material that breaths well otherwise your condensed breath will accumulate and freeze on the mask around your mouth and nose. If the wind chill is going to dip below zero total protect is required. Glacier glasses or ski goggles can provide protection to the skin around your eyes, and will aid in keeping your eyeballs from feeling like they are going to freeze.
For your feet layers work best also. In the fall and winter you should wear two layers of socks. An inner liner sock of synthetic material should be worn to wick moisture away and an outer sock of Wool, VVS® or CoolMax® blend to add insulation will help keep the cold out. Boots with liners can help provide additional warmth, but will only be able to provide you cold weather duty. If you will be hiking in a damp environment like the Pacific Northwest than gaiters can help keep your legs dry and water out of your boots.
When it comes to your hands two layers also work best. An inner layer of a glove, preferably of a light and thin synthetic material works well. Even natural wool can provide you good protection. The outer shell should be a mitten. Mittens offer more insulation than gloves and provide more overall comfort. When it comes time to use your hands you can remove the shell while keeping your skin protected by the inner glove. Gore-Tex® and treated synthetics are best for a shell, but can be expensive. If your hike in the winter is going to require you to swing an ice axe then a glove shell will offer you a better grip.
Layer Four - Outer Shell: There are a number of choices you can wear for your outer shell. Key requirements are a material that will allow moisture to escape from your body without allowing moisture from the outside to penetrate into your inner layers of warmth.
If you tend to run cold then you should probably consider a traditional parka. Liners can be made out of PolarTec®, Thinsulate®, synthetic fleece, or even down filled. The outer shell of the parka should ideally be synthetic that is weatherproofed. Gore-Tex® is one of the best materials for damp environments. If your outdoor adventure is going to take you to extremely cold and dry environments and you have a large budget, Ventile is about the best you can get for an outer shell. Originally designed for pilots in World War II, the Egyptian cotton is woven so tight that moisture cannot penetrate the fabric. However if Ventile gets wet say by rain or falling into water, it will act like cotton and lose all of its insulation ability.
If you run hot you can probably get away with a Gore-Tex® shell. Shells today offer a wide variety of features if you aren't concerned about adding a few extra ounces. Back vents, pit zippers to ventilate the armpits, and a variety of openings can allow you to cool off while still staying dry inside.
If it's going to be cold and wet you should also wear protective pants. Gore-Tex® is best for extreme conditions while wool or synthetics can be used in drier environments.
Layer Three - Additional Insulation: Your next layer is to keep your body's core warm. This is critical to prevent hypothermia. The best bet for this layer is polar fleece. Cotton is acceptable in drier climates but if where you are going is cold and damp go for synthetic polyester, Lycra® blend, Synchilla®, or PolarTec®. If you can tolerate the weight, wool is an excellent natural alternative. Polar fleece comes in a number of styles including vests, jackets, and pullovers. Select what you think will work best for you. If you tend to run hot consider getting a vest, if you run cold a pullover might work better, although it doesn't allow you to easily take it off.
If you run cold or will be hiking in a cold wet environment you should consider also wearing another layer to protect your legs. Just like tops a wide variety of materials are available with wool and synthetics providing the best protection.
Layer Two - Bottoms & Tops: The next layer you wear is your shirt and pants. Although denim is the material of choice for many hikers, it isn't the best choice for hiking in the fall and winter. Denim gets extremely heavy when wet and loses all of its ability to insulate. There are a number of materials available to help keep you warm and dry. Synthetic blends (some with cotton), polyester, polyester and Lycra, wool, and cordura nylon all provide excellent protection form the elements while allowing you to make a fashion statement (if you worry about those sort of things). Because your chest will probably be protected by at least one more layer, a long cotton shirt is acceptable. Synthetic fleeces are better, or if you are in a very cold climate a wool shirt may be in order.
If you tend to be warm you may want to consider convertible pants. The legs can zip off transforming them into shorts, while your long underwear continues to provide a layer of protection to your skin.
Layer One - Long Underwear: Your first layer should consist of some long underwear. Although traditional cotton long johns can be purchased just about anywhere, there are a number of better alternatives. Long underwear needs to be able to wick sweat away from your body while not allowing cold air to seep through. Otherwise your own sweat will slowly soak your first insulating layer.
REI offers silk long underwear that is more comfortable and handles moisture better for the rock bottom price of $28 for pants, and $28 for shirts in a variety of colors. Capilene is an outstanding material for long underwear. Extremely lightweight and thin, the pockets created in the weave provide tremendous insulation quality. DriClime weave and Thermion are synthetic materials that also provide superior insulation for less weight than cotton. Some long underwear even has anti-bacteria treatment. This is helpful for those trips where you might be wearing your first layer for more than few days and your odor can become offense even to the woodland residents.
No matter what you decide or what your budget is wearing layers of almost any type of clothing will help keep you warmer than wearing shirt, pants and jacket by itself. By wearing layers you are provided with the flexibility that is needed to deal with the changing weather when out on the trail or while wearing snow shoes during the unpredictable fall and winter seasons. Stay warm!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Insect Repellants For Hiking & Backpacking
You need to evaluate where you are going. What is the environment you are going to be visiting. The insects you will experience will be very different on the windswept mountainside of the Presidentials in New Hampshire, vs. the open tundra of Denali National Park in Alaska.
If you are going to be visiting an area that is famous for biting insects, you need to come prepared. Remember, everything is tied together in a big circle of life. In the extreme northern climates the clouds of summertime mosquitoes feed the millions of birds that nest there. Without them, the birds would starve. In the deep south, the mosquito larvae feed countless insects, crustaceans, and fish. In temperate climates, biting insects peak in the spring and fall, once again to feed the thousands of migrating birds. Insects usually have a peak time in each area, be aware of these times is one of the first steps in not getting eaten alive.
Have you ever been in the forest and though that every mosquito within miles has descended upon you? You may be correct! Mosquitoes and other biting insects find their prey by sensing carbon dioxide. As air breathing mammals, we give off large amounts of carbon dioxide not just by breathing, but through our skin, and blood thirsty mosquitoes have been equipped to sense this release from miles away. This is where insect repellant comes in.
DEET, or N-diethyl-meta-toluamide is the active ingredient in most insect repellants, and comes in a variety of concentrations from as low as 4% to 100%. DEET masks our release of carbon dioxide which makes us harder to detect by biting insects. When we cover ourselves in repellant, we literally don't smell appealing to biting insects.
DEET based repellants come in liquid form, creams, lotions, pumps, and aerosol sprays. Generally anything below 20% DEET content should be avoided for anything more than a backyard barbeque. Conversely, high concentrations of DEET can also cause problems. In excess of 35% can cause rashes. Heavy use of concentrations in excess of 80% have been linked to short term schizophrenia, while behavior will return to normal after use is discontinued. Many people have noticed becoming irritable after extended use of high concentrations of DEET based repellants. Almost the entire population will find, that DEET based repellants are the best and safest choice of repellant they can use.
You may have heard about Avon's Skin So Soft. Avon's Skin So Soft is a skin care product that is used as a moisturizer. Many people swear by it as a mosquito repellant, and some non-scientific testing has indicated that it is pretty effective. Avon has never, and will never advertise Skin So Soft as an insect repellant. The lengthy and costly testing that goes into certifying a product is more than Avon wants to spend, and it moves away from the real features of the product. Avon Skin So Soft only seems to work against mosquitoes, and not other members of the biting hordes.
Some real backcountry folks use kerosene, which is what was used long before the petrochemical industry gave us DEET or other repellant products. Although kerosene is effective, it is damaging to clothing and skin, and is flammable. I sure wouldn't want to be around the campfire after slapping some kerosene around the back of the neck and on the arms to keep the bugs away!
If you have ever felt that you are the most appetizing item on the face of the earth to insects, or conversely insects don't seem to be interested in you at all, there is some truth to this also. Recently scientists have discovered that mosquitoes will select healthier people over sick people when selecting who to bite. They don't understand exactly why, but speculate that our chemical signature, what the insect "smells," is different depending on our condition. One does not have to be unhealthy to be lucky around flying insects.
When we swell up and itch from an insect bite it is because we are having an allergic reaction. The insects fluids are injected into our skin and our bodies treat it as an immune reaction, and the bodies extreme reaction causes the bump, itch, and the redness around an insect bite. A very lucky few, about 1% of the population do not have this reaction, and are not effected by insect bites. The body has either built a tolerance up for the chemicals injected in an insect bite, or does not recognize them as a threat.
If you are going to be visiting an area that is famous for biting insects, you need to come prepared. Remember, everything is tied together in a big circle of life. In the extreme northern climates the clouds of summertime mosquitoes feed the millions of birds that nest there. Without them, the birds would starve. In the deep south, the mosquito larvae feed countless insects, crustaceans, and fish. In temperate climates, biting insects peak in the spring and fall, once again to feed the thousands of migrating birds. Insects usually have a peak time in each area, be aware of these times is one of the first steps in not getting eaten alive.
Have you ever been in the forest and though that every mosquito within miles has descended upon you? You may be correct! Mosquitoes and other biting insects find their prey by sensing carbon dioxide. As air breathing mammals, we give off large amounts of carbon dioxide not just by breathing, but through our skin, and blood thirsty mosquitoes have been equipped to sense this release from miles away. This is where insect repellant comes in.
DEET, or N-diethyl-meta-toluamide is the active ingredient in most insect repellants, and comes in a variety of concentrations from as low as 4% to 100%. DEET masks our release of carbon dioxide which makes us harder to detect by biting insects. When we cover ourselves in repellant, we literally don't smell appealing to biting insects.
DEET based repellants come in liquid form, creams, lotions, pumps, and aerosol sprays. Generally anything below 20% DEET content should be avoided for anything more than a backyard barbeque. Conversely, high concentrations of DEET can also cause problems. In excess of 35% can cause rashes. Heavy use of concentrations in excess of 80% have been linked to short term schizophrenia, while behavior will return to normal after use is discontinued. Many people have noticed becoming irritable after extended use of high concentrations of DEET based repellants. Almost the entire population will find, that DEET based repellants are the best and safest choice of repellant they can use.
You may have heard about Avon's Skin So Soft. Avon's Skin So Soft is a skin care product that is used as a moisturizer. Many people swear by it as a mosquito repellant, and some non-scientific testing has indicated that it is pretty effective. Avon has never, and will never advertise Skin So Soft as an insect repellant. The lengthy and costly testing that goes into certifying a product is more than Avon wants to spend, and it moves away from the real features of the product. Avon Skin So Soft only seems to work against mosquitoes, and not other members of the biting hordes.
Some real backcountry folks use kerosene, which is what was used long before the petrochemical industry gave us DEET or other repellant products. Although kerosene is effective, it is damaging to clothing and skin, and is flammable. I sure wouldn't want to be around the campfire after slapping some kerosene around the back of the neck and on the arms to keep the bugs away!
If you have ever felt that you are the most appetizing item on the face of the earth to insects, or conversely insects don't seem to be interested in you at all, there is some truth to this also. Recently scientists have discovered that mosquitoes will select healthier people over sick people when selecting who to bite. They don't understand exactly why, but speculate that our chemical signature, what the insect "smells," is different depending on our condition. One does not have to be unhealthy to be lucky around flying insects.
When we swell up and itch from an insect bite it is because we are having an allergic reaction. The insects fluids are injected into our skin and our bodies treat it as an immune reaction, and the bodies extreme reaction causes the bump, itch, and the redness around an insect bite. A very lucky few, about 1% of the population do not have this reaction, and are not effected by insect bites. The body has either built a tolerance up for the chemicals injected in an insect bite, or does not recognize them as a threat.
Poison ivy, Oak and Sumac
These can be a sore subject for those of us who enjoy the outdoors. Like almost every other peril and medical emergency, a little education and understanding goes a long way to dealing with this itching scratching menace.
Poison ivy, oak, or sumac is found in every state except Alaska and Hawaii, with Nevada having some poison ivy along it’s eastern border with Utah and Idaho having poison ivy along it’s western border with Oregon. All three species and their sub species of plants are very hardy and adaptable. If there is at least eight to ten inches of rain a year, and it is below 4,000 feet, you can find poison ivy, oak or sumac. Interestingly, poison ivy is generally found in the eastern half of the United States, where poison oak is found all over the west coast.
All three of these plants emit a poisonous oil irritant called urushiol. This oil is the toxin in these plants that make you itch. In it’s pure form, the amount that you could fit on the head of a pin could make 500 people very miserable.
Because urushiol is an oil, and not a water based fluid it has some special (or would that be troublesome) qualities. Urushiol does not evaporate, so it can linger for a year. It will cover what ever it comes in contact with, clothing, tools, and even pet hair. Because it is an oil, urushiol vaporizes when it is burned, the vapor is then carried in the smoke and covers everything it comes in contact with (again contaminating it for a year or longer). Urushiol is present on the leaves, stems, and roots of the plant, and is still active even on dead plants that have dried up. It is in a phrase, really nasty stuff.
Poison ivy, oak and sumac all serve a useful purpose. Sure most people will put them on the same list of outdoor annoyances as mosquitoes and flies, but poison ivy, oak and sumac are important to the eco-systems they are present in. The small, white or bluish berries found on the ivies feed a number of birds and small animals. The tangles they form also serve as shelter, and incidentally, most animals are not effected by the irritants found in urushiol oil.
The good news is that poison ivy, oak and sumac are very easy to treat if you identified your contact with the irritating plant within a few hours of the incident. The urushiol oil chemically bonds with the proteins in your skin about 30 minutes after contact. 75% of the population is effected by contact with urushiol, although immunity to urushiol today does not assure immunity tomorrow, and vice versa. Rash symptoms can appear within a few hours but can take two to five days to appear. The rash starts as a red, annoyingly itchy area that starts to swell. The area then gets inflamed and will get covered in clusters of tiny pimples, the pimple eventually merge and turn into blisters. The fluid in the blisters turns yellow, dries up, and becomes crusty. Left completely untreated, this cycle can last as short as five days and in severe cases as long as five to six weeks.
If you come in contact with poison ivy, oak or sumac, or a animal exposed to any of these, or tools, gear, or clothing exposed to any of these, you should wash off with hot water (not so hot that it burns) and strong soap as soon as possible. If you can get washed up in the first six hours, before the first symptoms appear, you have a good chance of avoiding an out break, and an even better chance of minimizing the effects if you do have one.
If you do start to get a rash there is some bad news. There is no anti-toxin available for urushiol. There are products out there that will make you more comfortable, but no specific treatments. Washing in hot water with strong soap within the first 24 hours of exposure, and not scratching can help reduce the length and severity of a reaction.
The rash is not communicable once you get one that is you can’t pass it on to someone else through normal contact. Only the urushiol oil spreads the rash. As blisters start to form over the infected area you should never break the blisters. Breaking blisters can lead to blood poison and generally in medical circles the draining of blisters is frowned upon. You should try to let the infected area breath, if you do wrap it, keep the dressing as clean as possible, weeping blisters are a hot bed for infection.
Poison ivy, oak, or sumac is found in every state except Alaska and Hawaii, with Nevada having some poison ivy along it’s eastern border with Utah and Idaho having poison ivy along it’s western border with Oregon. All three species and their sub species of plants are very hardy and adaptable. If there is at least eight to ten inches of rain a year, and it is below 4,000 feet, you can find poison ivy, oak or sumac. Interestingly, poison ivy is generally found in the eastern half of the United States, where poison oak is found all over the west coast.
All three of these plants emit a poisonous oil irritant called urushiol. This oil is the toxin in these plants that make you itch. In it’s pure form, the amount that you could fit on the head of a pin could make 500 people very miserable.
Because urushiol is an oil, and not a water based fluid it has some special (or would that be troublesome) qualities. Urushiol does not evaporate, so it can linger for a year. It will cover what ever it comes in contact with, clothing, tools, and even pet hair. Because it is an oil, urushiol vaporizes when it is burned, the vapor is then carried in the smoke and covers everything it comes in contact with (again contaminating it for a year or longer). Urushiol is present on the leaves, stems, and roots of the plant, and is still active even on dead plants that have dried up. It is in a phrase, really nasty stuff.
Poison ivy, oak and sumac all serve a useful purpose. Sure most people will put them on the same list of outdoor annoyances as mosquitoes and flies, but poison ivy, oak and sumac are important to the eco-systems they are present in. The small, white or bluish berries found on the ivies feed a number of birds and small animals. The tangles they form also serve as shelter, and incidentally, most animals are not effected by the irritants found in urushiol oil.
The good news is that poison ivy, oak and sumac are very easy to treat if you identified your contact with the irritating plant within a few hours of the incident. The urushiol oil chemically bonds with the proteins in your skin about 30 minutes after contact. 75% of the population is effected by contact with urushiol, although immunity to urushiol today does not assure immunity tomorrow, and vice versa. Rash symptoms can appear within a few hours but can take two to five days to appear. The rash starts as a red, annoyingly itchy area that starts to swell. The area then gets inflamed and will get covered in clusters of tiny pimples, the pimple eventually merge and turn into blisters. The fluid in the blisters turns yellow, dries up, and becomes crusty. Left completely untreated, this cycle can last as short as five days and in severe cases as long as five to six weeks.
If you come in contact with poison ivy, oak or sumac, or a animal exposed to any of these, or tools, gear, or clothing exposed to any of these, you should wash off with hot water (not so hot that it burns) and strong soap as soon as possible. If you can get washed up in the first six hours, before the first symptoms appear, you have a good chance of avoiding an out break, and an even better chance of minimizing the effects if you do have one.
If you do start to get a rash there is some bad news. There is no anti-toxin available for urushiol. There are products out there that will make you more comfortable, but no specific treatments. Washing in hot water with strong soap within the first 24 hours of exposure, and not scratching can help reduce the length and severity of a reaction.
The rash is not communicable once you get one that is you can’t pass it on to someone else through normal contact. Only the urushiol oil spreads the rash. As blisters start to form over the infected area you should never break the blisters. Breaking blisters can lead to blood poison and generally in medical circles the draining of blisters is frowned upon. You should try to let the infected area breath, if you do wrap it, keep the dressing as clean as possible, weeping blisters are a hot bed for infection.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Fall Hiking Tips
The days are getting shorter and the leaves are starting to turn. In warmer sections of the country the daytime has become pleasant. It's fall! Some people may hang their boots up until spring, but some of the best hiking of the year is waiting. There are far fewer people, more wildlife to see, including migrating birds, and the cool air means you will have an easier time on the trail. Here are ten tips that will make your time trekking during the fall even more enjoyable. Stay comfortable. This may seem simple in itself but it comes down to two words, "wear layers." The morning chill can give way to bright sun and pleasant temperatures. That heavy jacket you're wearing in the morning can become a liability in the afternoon. Three to four layers and convertible pants will add flexibility to your trek. As you get warmer you can open and shed layers. If the wind picks up but the sun is shining, you can wear your shell while removing the insulation. If things get really warm convertible pants allow you to zip off the legs, instantly turning them into shorts. What ever you do don't forget to wear a hat. It can help keep you warm in the morning and cool in the afternoon.
Hike with the weather. In the fall this goes further than the logic of don't hike during the first ice storm of the year. Some of the finest hiking can be done in the morning after a sharp, dry cold front brings in a Canadian high. The air is clean, crisp and clear. If you live in mountainous regions the haze of the summer will be gone and the visibility will be incredible. Get an early start. Shorter days means you need to maximize every minute on the trail. Start off early, before the first light so you can start your trek in the first hour of the morning. You will be rewarded with a symphony of songbirds and bustle of wildlife activity. Remember the sun will set earlier, so don't get caught out in the dark on the trail.
Be prepared. With the fall there is change, and the change is in the weather. Make sure you are ready for the elements. Raingear as well as clothing that will protect you from the wind is essential. If you are going on an extended day hike, especially into higher altitude know the weather forecast and carry a weather radio.
Move quietly. As the leaves turn and start to fall off the thickets and tangles that hid wildlife in the forest disappear. Your stealthy movements will be rewarded with opportunities to see many animals closer than you normally would. If you live in an area where there are bears or cougars, then don't follow this advice. As a matter of fact if you are hiking in bear country during the fall you should make extra noise.
Leave the insect repellant at home. Unless you're hiking in a southern climate, most of the flying, biting, nasty insects have died off or have gone into hibernation. One could easily argue that the lack of biting insects is the single biggest benefit to hiking in the fall.
Be spontaneous. There are many advantages to having flexible plans in the fall. During the warm dry fall of 1999 enjoyable hiking could be found in many regions in the United States all the way into early December. It is quite possible to have vast sections of a park all to yourself. If the weatherman says Saturday is going to be sunny and 75, its time to grab your boots and pack. Those leaves on the lawn can wait for another day.
Don't forget the sunscreen and the sunglasses. Just because it is cooler out doesn't mean you still can't get a sunburn. Drier air and wind also batters your skin during the fall months. Clearer, cleaner air also means brighter sunlight. Lip balm is also helpful if your lips get chapped easily.
Eat some food. Nibbling food as your hiking is like slowly putting coal into a fire, it keeps the internal furnace running nice and hot. Avoid having a heavy meal before or while on the trail. If you eat a lot the blood will pool in your digestive system robbing you of body warmth.
Take a friend on their first hike. Have a friend that has been asking to go on their first hike? The fall is the perfect time to do it! No insects, tepid temperatures, no crowds, greater chance of seeing wildlife, and clear skies all add up to a great first time experience. If you are bringing someone on his or her first trek try and keep it easy with an exciting destination at the end of the trail. Have a friend you want to encourage to go on a trek with you? Why not send them a copy of this story!Saturday, October 22, 2011
DISPOSE OF YOUR WASTE PROPERLY AND LEAVE NO TRACE
If you packed it in, pack it out. This is one of the hardest rules to follow. It’s our nature not to want to carry trash. Cans, glass, foil, plastic, paper, hygiene products and food waste should never be burned or buried. All trash should be wrapped in double sealed Ziploc bags and carried out. Look at it this way, it was bulkier and heavier carrying it in, it’s going to be easier carrying it out. Cans can be crushed, foil, plastic, and paper waste can be balled up to save even more room in your pack. Inspect your site before leaving for trash (including trash others left behind) and spilled food. You should leave your site in better shape then when you arrived.
◦There are now two different camps on how to deal with human waste. Some low impact rules teach leaving fecal matter on the surface, to allow bacteria present to die off. Others recommend burying the matter. OutdoorPlaces.Com recommends burying all fecal matter six to eight inches underground in a cat hole. The best way to do this is with a shovel remove a divot of ground in one piece about eight inches deep. When you are done using the hole simply replace the divot back over the hole. Again all paper and hygiene products should be carried out. If you are camping in an arid or semi arid climate, urine can be disposed of in fast moving clear water downstream from your campsite (and others). Urine left on the surface in a desert environment can take months to wash away and can leave a powerful smell that will affect wildlife.
◦When you wash your dishes, do it at least 200 feet away from any natural water source. Some camps teach that if you are traveling less than five days, using hot water to wash your dishes is all you will need. If you do use soap use it sparingly and use biodegradable low-phosphate products. Disperse your gray water out over a wide area and don’t leave any meaningful pieces of food waste in the gray water.
LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND
◦If you are visiting historical or cultural areas feel free to examine and look, but do not touch, move or alter these. The desert petroglyphs across the southwest are in grave danger from such activity. The oils in your hand are very destructive to fragile artifacts.
◦Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects where you find them. Moving a rock to use as a stool can affect the wildlife and leaves a visible scar. The collection of plants rocks or geological features is illegal in most parks, and in some settings can be a very serious felony.
◦Make efforts to prevent introducing non-native species to an area. If you have traveled a long distance to a new habitat, make sure your gear; especially your boots and tent are free of all dust and dirt. This can harbor seeds, which can damage an ecosystem by its introduction. If you are using horses or other pack animals source your feed locally and check with local authorities. Equestrian introduction of non-native species is a serious problem today.
◦Do not build structures, make furniture, dig trenches, or make a pit toilet area. Again, a good campsite is found, not created. Only build a structure in a survival situation where you life absolutely depends on it.
MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE IMPACTS
◦Campfires can cause long lasting scars in the backcountry. When possible use a cooking stove and gas lantern for cooking and lighting.
◦When fires are permitted in a backcountry area, use provided fire rings, grates, pans or other provided areas.
◦Don’t make large fires. Only use dead wood found on the ground that can be broken by hand. Large fires can be hard to manage.
◦Burn all wood and coals down to ash (or as far as possible). Put out the campfire completely with water and stir the ashes until no embers or hot spots are left. Scatter the cooled ashes (done properly it is actually good for the environment). Any coals that may be left should be brittle enough to be broken down by stepping on them.
◦There are now two different camps on how to deal with human waste. Some low impact rules teach leaving fecal matter on the surface, to allow bacteria present to die off. Others recommend burying the matter. OutdoorPlaces.Com recommends burying all fecal matter six to eight inches underground in a cat hole. The best way to do this is with a shovel remove a divot of ground in one piece about eight inches deep. When you are done using the hole simply replace the divot back over the hole. Again all paper and hygiene products should be carried out. If you are camping in an arid or semi arid climate, urine can be disposed of in fast moving clear water downstream from your campsite (and others). Urine left on the surface in a desert environment can take months to wash away and can leave a powerful smell that will affect wildlife.
◦When you wash your dishes, do it at least 200 feet away from any natural water source. Some camps teach that if you are traveling less than five days, using hot water to wash your dishes is all you will need. If you do use soap use it sparingly and use biodegradable low-phosphate products. Disperse your gray water out over a wide area and don’t leave any meaningful pieces of food waste in the gray water.
LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND
◦If you are visiting historical or cultural areas feel free to examine and look, but do not touch, move or alter these. The desert petroglyphs across the southwest are in grave danger from such activity. The oils in your hand are very destructive to fragile artifacts.
◦Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects where you find them. Moving a rock to use as a stool can affect the wildlife and leaves a visible scar. The collection of plants rocks or geological features is illegal in most parks, and in some settings can be a very serious felony.
◦Make efforts to prevent introducing non-native species to an area. If you have traveled a long distance to a new habitat, make sure your gear; especially your boots and tent are free of all dust and dirt. This can harbor seeds, which can damage an ecosystem by its introduction. If you are using horses or other pack animals source your feed locally and check with local authorities. Equestrian introduction of non-native species is a serious problem today.
◦Do not build structures, make furniture, dig trenches, or make a pit toilet area. Again, a good campsite is found, not created. Only build a structure in a survival situation where you life absolutely depends on it.
MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE IMPACTS
◦Campfires can cause long lasting scars in the backcountry. When possible use a cooking stove and gas lantern for cooking and lighting.
◦When fires are permitted in a backcountry area, use provided fire rings, grates, pans or other provided areas.
◦Don’t make large fires. Only use dead wood found on the ground that can be broken by hand. Large fires can be hard to manage.
◦Burn all wood and coals down to ash (or as far as possible). Put out the campfire completely with water and stir the ashes until no embers or hot spots are left. Scatter the cooled ashes (done properly it is actually good for the environment). Any coals that may be left should be brittle enough to be broken down by stepping on them.
Lost In The Wilderness / Hike
We have all experienced the feeling at one time or another. Maybe as a child in a large store separated from our parents. Maybe on a college campus with a seemingly endless complex of paths and buildings. Maybe on a dark road in the middle of night while trying to find a hotel or friend's house. We have all been lost and we all know the feelings that well up inside when we do. For some it is panic that sickens, for others it is frustration and anger.
One of our worst traits as humans is our ability to deny to ourselves that we are lost. We wander around, we convince ourselves that it will be up ahead on the next turn, or if I go that way. The unfamiliar becomes familiar until we have lead ourselves down a path so far that we have to do the unthinkable, ask for directions.
All of this is well and good on a dark road, or a college campus or at the customer service desk of a big store, but when your in the backcountry, there is not a help desk or a gas station to ask assistance from. As soon as you become disoriented the decisions you make over the next hour, four hours, eight hours and if necessary twenty-four hours can in some cases make the difference between life and death.
The first step in not becoming a statistic is coming to the realization that you are lost. The very second that thought crosses through your head you need to stop. In the first hour the panic that can set in kills.
Panic is a very powerful force. As your body detects the fear it pumps out tremendous amounts of adrenaline and endorphins into your system. Both of these have a narcotic effect and are responsible for your increased breathing, your body feeling warm and breaking out in a sweat. There are documented cases of people becoming lost in the woods, throwing off all of their gear and even ripping off their clothing as they run panicked through the forest. When night falls, with no gear, no water and no clothing, exposure sets in and kills of the lost hiker.
You may be shaking your head and saying to yourself, "that won't happen to me," but it has happened to very skilled individuals. The most frightening thing about being lost in the woods is you will not truly know how you will react until it happens. Knowing all of this if you feel panic setting in, you need to sit down, breath deep, eat a little food, and just sit there until you are calm. The next thing you need to do is get down to the business of surviving through the night and aiding rescuers in locating you quickly.
There is a philosophy that there are four basic needs for survival in the wilderness. Warmth, water, shelter and food make up these four basic needs. The challenge is to put these needs in a priority list. If you are soaking wet on a 45 degree day, then warmth becomes your number one priority. If you are lost in the backcountry region of Painted Desert NP, then water and shelter are almost equally important. If all things were on a level playing field (70 degree days and 45 degree nights with berry bushes to your left and a stream to right) then warmth, water, shelter and food would be the order to set your priorities.
If you entered backcountry in full gear then most of these problems are all ready resolved. You have a tent, and a sleeping bag, as well as a supply of food and water. The real problem is if you went off for a day hike with a minimal amount of gear, or due to a fall or accident have become separated from your gear. Now these four basic needs become a challenge and you need to evaluate your situation.
The first rule of being lost is not to become more lost. That town on the horizon could be thirty-miles away, and there could be a gorge or river blocking your path. Moving through the woods you increase your risk of animal, insect, or snake encounters. The frustration that sets in from all of this increases the panic factor. So rule number one is very simple, hug a tree. The only time you should ever move is because your personal safety is being compromised.
Picking the right tree to hug is also very important. You should try to find a thin spot if you are in a forest, being close to a clearing is best. If an aerial search is initiated for you this will make spotting you much easier. Deep old growth pine forests are the worst for spotting people from the air. Again, don't wander looking for the perfect clearing, you are better off staying put if you don't have the option of a meadow near by.
The primary reason you should not move once you realize you are lost is historically people who are lost and continue to move, move further away from where they should be. There are numerous documented cases of people who have walked completely out of a search area because they were wandering through the woods in an attempt to find a familiar landmark or help. The idea of spending the night in the wilderness with limited or no gear is not a pleasant one, but by staying in one place, and close to your planned route, you greatly increase your odds of being found.
One of our worst traits as humans is our ability to deny to ourselves that we are lost. We wander around, we convince ourselves that it will be up ahead on the next turn, or if I go that way. The unfamiliar becomes familiar until we have lead ourselves down a path so far that we have to do the unthinkable, ask for directions.
All of this is well and good on a dark road, or a college campus or at the customer service desk of a big store, but when your in the backcountry, there is not a help desk or a gas station to ask assistance from. As soon as you become disoriented the decisions you make over the next hour, four hours, eight hours and if necessary twenty-four hours can in some cases make the difference between life and death.
The first step in not becoming a statistic is coming to the realization that you are lost. The very second that thought crosses through your head you need to stop. In the first hour the panic that can set in kills.
Panic is a very powerful force. As your body detects the fear it pumps out tremendous amounts of adrenaline and endorphins into your system. Both of these have a narcotic effect and are responsible for your increased breathing, your body feeling warm and breaking out in a sweat. There are documented cases of people becoming lost in the woods, throwing off all of their gear and even ripping off their clothing as they run panicked through the forest. When night falls, with no gear, no water and no clothing, exposure sets in and kills of the lost hiker.
You may be shaking your head and saying to yourself, "that won't happen to me," but it has happened to very skilled individuals. The most frightening thing about being lost in the woods is you will not truly know how you will react until it happens. Knowing all of this if you feel panic setting in, you need to sit down, breath deep, eat a little food, and just sit there until you are calm. The next thing you need to do is get down to the business of surviving through the night and aiding rescuers in locating you quickly.
There is a philosophy that there are four basic needs for survival in the wilderness. Warmth, water, shelter and food make up these four basic needs. The challenge is to put these needs in a priority list. If you are soaking wet on a 45 degree day, then warmth becomes your number one priority. If you are lost in the backcountry region of Painted Desert NP, then water and shelter are almost equally important. If all things were on a level playing field (70 degree days and 45 degree nights with berry bushes to your left and a stream to right) then warmth, water, shelter and food would be the order to set your priorities.
If you entered backcountry in full gear then most of these problems are all ready resolved. You have a tent, and a sleeping bag, as well as a supply of food and water. The real problem is if you went off for a day hike with a minimal amount of gear, or due to a fall or accident have become separated from your gear. Now these four basic needs become a challenge and you need to evaluate your situation.
The first rule of being lost is not to become more lost. That town on the horizon could be thirty-miles away, and there could be a gorge or river blocking your path. Moving through the woods you increase your risk of animal, insect, or snake encounters. The frustration that sets in from all of this increases the panic factor. So rule number one is very simple, hug a tree. The only time you should ever move is because your personal safety is being compromised.
Picking the right tree to hug is also very important. You should try to find a thin spot if you are in a forest, being close to a clearing is best. If an aerial search is initiated for you this will make spotting you much easier. Deep old growth pine forests are the worst for spotting people from the air. Again, don't wander looking for the perfect clearing, you are better off staying put if you don't have the option of a meadow near by.
The primary reason you should not move once you realize you are lost is historically people who are lost and continue to move, move further away from where they should be. There are numerous documented cases of people who have walked completely out of a search area because they were wandering through the woods in an attempt to find a familiar landmark or help. The idea of spending the night in the wilderness with limited or no gear is not a pleasant one, but by staying in one place, and close to your planned route, you greatly increase your odds of being found.
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