Two hiker rescues yesterday

[erugs]

Here's a link about two hikers who needed assistance this weekend: http://www.theunionleader.com/artic...rticleId=929f388c-5bd2-454f-ac07-9904d95b3fdf

I posted a trip report about a hike to Madison yesterday. We were prepared with plenty of water but saw another group who, from the size of their packs, couldn't have had enough. It looked to us as though they had wisely aborted their hopes for the summit. Not having enough water is a lesson that I had to learn the hard way, too.

 

[MadRiver]

In heat like this past weekend it is not only wise to carry enough water but carry a filter as well just in case you run out. I made that mistake on a Cabot hike a few years ago.

 

[Tom Rankin]

In heat like this past weekend it is not only wise to carry enough water but carry a filter as well just in case you run out. I made that mistake on a Cabot hike a few years ago.

Agreed, but we found precious little water to pump yesterday in the Catskills. Fortunately, we did not need any extra. We drank extra at the trail head, drank during the hike, and drank when we got back. I still woke up thirsty this morning!

Another great thing about this board is you can get accurate trail conditions!

 

[Jason Berard]

I, too learned the hard way. Heat exhaustion in '98 on a hike on the AT over Cube and Smart's. I had/drank 2 litres of water, and that wasn't enough for the heat/ humidity that day. I didn't know it till it was too late. I made it to the trailhead on Lyme- Dorchester Rd., but it was the worst I've ever felt!


thanks for the post, Ellen.

 

[rocket21]

In this weather, I try to carry two water bladders (the second one having slightly more water), and consider running out in bladder #1 to be my turn around point. That said, I don't do traverses (which that system really wouldn't help with).

 

[dentonfabrics]

In this weather, I try to carry two water bladders (the second one having slightly more water), and consider running out in bladder #1 to be my turn around point. That said, I don't do traverses (which that system really wouldn't help with).

I wont do traverses in really hot weather either. I'll carry my bladder as usual, but I'll seed a couple of bottles of gatorade along the path for the return trip.

 

[DougPaul]

It must be time for the annual flurry of threads on hydration...


Electrolyte drinks are also helpful in hot weather. Many use commercial drinks, consumer reports suggests 1/2 strength fruit juice, or you can make your own. (My homebrew recipe is at http://www.vftt.org/forums/showpost.php?p=54650&postcount=21. There is more discussion in the thread: http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=4914. )

Useful info can be found in:
Long distance nutrition
http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=4914

Salt Tablets?
http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7093

Heat Illness and Hiking
http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7351

Drinking too much water on the trail?
http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6133

Mythbusters: Sports Drinks and Trail Mix
http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16598

Real Food vs Processed : What do you bring on the trail ?
http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=18975

Have you had enough to drink?
http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11541

Doug

 

[erugs]

Those searches are all good resources, Doug. While they bring up some valuable information, I, for one, always enjoy hearing about people and their current ideas. Some people who respond are newer to VFTT and also ideas change and newer products are developed. My latest favorite over Gatorade is Glaceau Vitamin Water. Nothing has replaced my Gorp, but if I carry a sandwhich, say, almond butter, it is spread inside a wrap rather than bread if possible, but if I must have a bread sandwich, I cut it into three strips (mouth-sized). Isn't it great that we have the best of both worlds (i.e. searches and new opinions)?

 

[una_dogger]

It was a HOT one ... I went through 100 oz saturday while hiking Madison and Adams. I find its particularly tough the first hot and humid hike of the year, I suffered some heat exhaustion last June while hiking Big Slide in the Daks, felt faint and had to lie down and prop my feet up on a tree trunk.

Glad to hear that the two hikers made it out OK.

 

[Tom Rankin]

It was a HOT one ... I went through 100 oz saturday while hiking Madison and Adams. I find its particularly tough the first hot and humid hike of the year, I suffered some heat exhaustion last June while hiking Big Slide in the Daks, felt faint and had to lie down and prop my feet up on a tree trunk.

Yeah, it was 90+ oz. for us yesterday in the Cats. Some before, a lot during and some after. And that was a tame 8 miles and 2500' of elevation. Still thirsty this AM!

 

[RoySwkr]

Both of the rescued hikers were on trails that followed large streams which should have contained plenty of water.

I carry pills which are lighter than a filter on long non-return hikes, but before I had them I would just drink from the stream if I needed to (like everyone did 50 years ago). Giardia and most waterborne diseases in NH are treatable, but you can die from heat stroke.

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

I ran out of water on a similarly hot and humid day doing an Isolation loop via the southern Rocky Branch and Davis Path this time last June, but my friend said that the reason I cramped up and he did not was because he always eats a can of salty sardines for lunch. But, I do not like sardines.

 

[DougPaul]

my friend said that the reason I cramped up and he did not was because he always eats a can of salty sardines for lunch. But, I do not like sardines.

Fortunately there are other sources of salt...

Doug

 

[Stan]

Fortunately there are other sources of salt...

Doug

... the best one being with tequila while celebrating a safe hike!

 

[WinterWarlock]

But, I do not like sardines.

Dr D - you're missing out! Mmm - mmm.

Fortunately there are other sources of salt...

Doug

How about those foil tuna packs? Salt, and protein!

Just picked up a couple packs of snacks from Japan - called "Nuts & Fish". Basically salted peanuts and dried guppies - I have a feeling I won't be asked to share these on the trail.

One thing I've been doing also is buying a bottle of the new Gatorade Endurance formula (wish it came in a powder) - it seems better than regular Gatorade for these kind of days. I generally split a bottle between 2 Nalgenes, and then top them off w/ water to start the day.

 

[BobC]

I never go out on a long hike anymore without my Aqua Mira water purifying drops. I've used them a few times and they work great, no bad taste.

 

[Mike P.]

Right on Roy, drink some water from an untreated source instead of letting yourself come down with heat stroke or worst.

We'd all prefer to have treated water but when you have to improvised, maybe coming down with giardia Vs. dyhydration seems like an easy choice.

 

[DougPaul]

Right on Roy, drink some water from an untreated source instead of letting yourself come down with heat stroke or worst.

Water-borne pathogens usually take 12-24 (or more) hours to show up. That lets you get home before they strike. Of course, some of them can be rather dehydrating too, so it might be worthwhile to be near a good source of water when they strike.

Doug

 

[mirabela]

Regular drugstore tincture of iodine, in a dropper bottle, 4 drops to the liter. Shake & wait 20 minutes, 40 if it is very cold.

This is what the Outward Bound schools use & have done so for 20+ years. It's cheap, it's light, it's reliable, and it doesn't taste as bad as the iodine tablets ("Potable Aqua").

Naturally, of course, this only helps if you are somewhere with water to purify.

 

[DougPaul]

Regular drugstore tincture of iodine, in a dropper bottle, 4 drops to the liter. Shake & wait 20 minutes, 40 if it is very cold.

This is what the Outward Bound schools use & have done so for 20+ years. It's cheap, it's light, it's reliable, and it doesn't taste as bad as the iodine tablets ("Potable Aqua").

That's what I do. Its only disadvantages are that it doesn't kill cryptosporidium, a small percentage of people with thyroid problems can react to it, and some object to its taste. Another minor disadvantage is that USP tincture of iodine contains 2.4% of sodium iodide (inactive) along with the 2% diatomic iodine (the active component).

For really bad water, a filter for the parasites and bacteria followed by iodine for the viruses can be very effective. (Not generally required in NA, but useful in the third world.)

It is described in detail in "Medicine for Mountaineering" by Wilkerson.

There are a whole bunch of previous threads on water purification. Searching on the word "iodine" will find many of them.

Doug