Trail Smarts

What to do when it’s cold outside? Bundle up and go for a hike.

By Tammy York

My youngest looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Go hiking!? It’s too cold out.” But add a few layers and a good pair of boots and we are ready to go. Shortly into the hike she has forgotten about it being cold. Start with a layer of wicking fabric. Then add a layer of fleece and a good coat. Layers are important. You want o be able to peel a few off if you get too warm. The last thing you want is to be sweaty.

Hypothermia kills.

Not to be dramatic but it is true and a lot of folks don’t take it seriously enough.

A good hat, gloves, and a scarf are always a benefit. I have a pair of Isotoner gloves that are Thinsulate lined and have this fake fur thing going on. I love them because the fake fur keeps out the cold air. The kids have fleece mittens with fingers and a pocket you can cover your fingers with and a pair of those cheap cotton gloves. The combination is a warm and cozy pair of gloves.

We wear Smartwool socks. Love Smartwool. Doesn’t itch, feels great. Boots – get a pair with Thinsulate and Gortex is you want your feet to be warm and dry.

Keep Hydrated

By Tammy York

Summer time brings warmer weather and the need to make sure that you are staying hydrated. Of course, if you have been awake the last few years you know that disposable water bottles are convenient but not the best environmental choice.

So what are your other options?

Steel and aluminum bottles can have thin expoxy resin over the metal which can leach BPA into the water. And, reusable water bottles can still have BPA in them.

What’s BPA? It is bisphenol A.

Yeah, that helped you a lot didn’t it…

BPA is used in polycarbonate plastics that are used for things like water bottles. BPA isn’t good for your body. Here’s what the FDA has to say “Studies employing standardized toxicity tests have thus far supported the safety of current low levels of human exposure to BPA. However, on the basis of results from recent studies using novel approaches to test for subtle effects, both the National Toxicology Program at the National Institutes of Health and FDA have some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and young children. In cooperation with the National Toxicology Program, FDA’s National Center for Toxicological Research is carrying out in-depth studies to answer key questions and clarify uncertainties about the risks of BPA.”

The solution I found is to use Nalgene bottles which are made in the USA. The bottles are made from polycarbonate and are pretty, don’t absorb odors and are extremely rugged. This is a huge problem for me because there are just so many pretty, pretty colors. I have a 32-ounce wide mouth emerald green, 32-ounce wide mouth deep amethyst, and four 16-ounce small mouth cobalt blues.

I love my Nalgenes!

I know I’m gushing (no pun intended) but I so love this product mainly because I have a pack with a ton (yes, the English kind) of weight with all the gear I lug out to write about hikes. I always take my Nalgene and NEVER have to worry about everything getting wet because the lid seals tight.

With the wide mouth Nalgenes, I can easily fill it with ice cubes, water, a flavor packet (Hawaiian Punch—yes, I’m six), and screw the lid on tight, shake the BettleJuice out of it and I’m ready to roll.

Speaking of which…gotta go finish a hike.

Poison Ivy

By Tammy York

Watch Out for the Poison Ivy

Leaves of three, leave them be…

Poison ivy typically grows right along the edge of a trail. If the trail is passing through an open field or meadow poison ivy will be found along the edge usually near a blackberry or raspberry plants.

If the poison ivy is in the woods in a shaded area then you will typically see jewelweed nearby.

If you get into poison ivy you have a little while to get the urushiol, the oil in poison ivy that irritates your skin, off of your skin. Once the oil is on your skin, a rash and blisters is dependent on how sensitive you are and how hot it is outside and how open your pores are.

If you have some wet wipes stashed in your pack, begin on the outer edge of where you were exposed to the oils and wipe towards the center. Make sure you don’t inadvertently flip the towel over and get the oils on your hands. Wash the area as soon as you get back to civilization.

If you don’t have wet wipes then grab some jewelweed and crunch it up and rub it into the spot to remove the oils. Wash the area as soon as you get back to civilization.

If you are near running water and soap, use cold water to wash the exposed area with soap and cold water. Rinse. And, then wash and rinse again.

If you get poison ivy, you can buy a product called Zanfel which removes the urushiol from your skin and relieves the itching. The product is gritty and immediately begins to relieve the itching and burning sensation.

I’m super sensitive to poison ivy and last summer managed to get into some on my calf. The results looked like a second degree burn. Zanfel worked well in getting the oils out of my skin so I could start healing.