Bonk if you love Moosilauke - 6/25/05

[Camper58]

I'm hijacking this thread back on topic .

Dave, just curious, were you wearing cotton or polyester? I went through a similar experience a couple of years ago on North Twin. Someone (knowledgeable) suggested wearing cotton on known hot & humid days. Since we all know that cotton retains moisture, it seems to make sense, right?
Anyway, I've tried it two or three times since, when the conditions warrant it and it definitely keeps me cooler, especially if there is even a slight breeze. Downside? Very skanky wearing a shirt soaked in your own sweat all day. An extra shirt in the pack helps. I was wondering what you had on and if you noticed any difference at all?

 

[David Metsky]

I was wearing polypro. The point is not to retain water, but to let it evaporate as quickly as possible. Wicking fabrics allow that, thus should be cooler than cotton, which retains the moisture. It's the evaporation that cools you off, not the wet clothing.

Besides, soaking wet cotton feels horrible, I can't hike in that.

-dave-

 

[SherpaKroto]

Dave,
Welcome to my world! It is refreshing to know that I am not alone in bonking (the american version!). It seems to hit me early in the hike though, and probably stems from my less then stellar pre-hike hydration technique.

You did have one thing working in your favor though - you were in territory that you knew well. I've found that I can focus on paying attention to my body a lot better when I don't have to focus on my route, location, etc.

You are right: it's hard getting older. That first time that you simply can't push through without a bit of self maintenance hits home hard. Then you shake it off and move on

 

[David Metsky]

You did have one thing working in your favor though - you were in territory that you knew well. I've found that I can focus on paying attention to my body a lot better when I don't have to focus on my route, location, etc.

Actually, I hadn't been up the Slide trail in 7 or 8 years, so I did have some anxiety about where the route was and where it topped out. That could have contributed to things, who knows?

-dave-

 

[DougPaul]

Actually, I hadn't been up the Slide trail in 7 or 8 years, so I did have some anxiety about where the route was and where it topped out. That could have contributed to things, who knows?

One can have problems on much smaller, calmer things too.

A couple weeks ago, I took my standard bike ride when the temp was 86 F with humidity to match at mid-sunny-day. Did my usual 15 mi timed speed run followed by a 3 mi warmdown. Drank electrolyte--weight was the same before and after, so I drank the right amount. Felt fine during the speed run, and then became very exhausted during the warmdown, but then recovered very quickly after I got home. Was sweating appropriately the entire time.

My analysis is that my body just wasn't prepared to dissipate the heat generated by the final sprint and I had a short spike in body temp. (Didn't measure it.) Have done similar rides since with no problem, so presumably my body has acclimatized.

Not sure this quite fits the standard definition of bonking, but the effect was quite similar.

Doug

 

[jjo]

Thanks David. Great trip report in spite of the criticism of your use of the King's english. Keep em coming!! Jerry