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Upstate Hiking and Outdoor Adventures April 2010
How to be a backcountry weather forecaster, good days from the “Backpacker”
Glorious sunsets. “Red sky at night, shepards delight.” Get out your camera and sleep under the stars.
Morning Mist. It if rises like it’s supposed to, the day is of to a good start.
Dew. Lots of it means a fair day.
Birds flying high: Again, this is a function of air pressure. The bugs are more likely to be up high, so that’s where the birds go.
Winds. Cold, fresh winds, especially when they blow in after rain and are accompanied by a dramatic temperature drop, signify a cold, dry front.
Spring has finally arrived and the sun is shinning and all of the funny little critters that hid out in the winter are coming out to laugh at us.
Please be aware of the following:
If you are allergic to bees, wasps,
fire ants or have asthma…….
please do not leave home with
out your epi pen, Benadryl or
rescue Inhaler .
Since Adam and Eve, snakes have long been portrayed as evil creatures to be feared. Our history is long, and myths and phobias are hard to break. Built into their religious practice, Pentecostal Movement preachers in the hills of Tennessee handle rattlesnakes. They now struggle with local law enforcement since rattlesnakes are protected in many states. Aboriginal groups in Australia hold the snake in high esteem, and it is a symbol of fertility. Native Americans felt that snakes symbolized life cycles and truth. There are widespread myths regarding snakes:
- Snakes hold their tails in their mouths to create a circle and will chase you.
- When you kill a snake, another one will chase you (ironically, what IS true is excessive killing of snakes leads to the overpopulation of rodents and more disease.
In the United States, only about 12 people a year die from snakebites.
The estimated chances of dying from a snakebite in the outdoors is approximately 1:10 million.
Victims of snakebites in North America usually have two common denominators, tattoos and alcohol intake.
Snakebite Treatment for Pit Vipers
- General support/reassurance; keep the victim calm; move the individual away from the snake, if possible; do not try to kill the snake—two people being bitten is worse and you cannot aid the first victim (note: amputated snake heads can still bite as a reflex).
- Minimize all activity.
- All jewelry, rings, bracelets and watches should be removed immediately.
- Do not incise the wound as this causes more tissue damage.
- Do not use electrical shock at the bite site as that has been shown not to work.
- Sawyer extractor kits are controversial. Studies on pigs have shown little to no effect, while others recommend to only use the suction device if you can reach the victim in the first 3 minutes.
- Do not suction with your mouth as the bacterial in your mouth will most likely cause more harm.
- Apply cool compresses, not ice.
- The Australian wrap method has proven benefit. . Do not wrap too tightly, but similar to wrapping a sprain.
- Splint is very important. Immobilize the extremity, maintain the extremity at heart level, do not elevate above heart level.
- Do not use Anti-venom in the outdoors. Many have anaphylactic type reactions from the anti-venom.
- Transport, transport, transport.
- Call ahead if possible to the ER. Many emergency rooms do not stock anti-venom and they may need to fly anti-venom in.
- Anti-venom is very, very expensive. When traveling into the outdoors for an extended period of time, check into search and rescue insurance. Many times anti-venom is covered. It is as cheap as $12-20 for a weekend, and is well worth it if something unfortunate should occur.
Summary: Snakes, like sharks, have a bad reputation, as the media love to sensationalize these critters. Fear sells. If you see a snake, please do not kill it! It does a tremendous amount of good, compared to any harm done. Understand reality and do not fall prey to your fears and phobias.
While hiking make sure you look before putting your hands on a tree above your head and do not step over a log or tree step on top of it and look down before stepping off. Also look around rocks as snakes like to get under them when it is hot and on top of them when it is cool.
These hospitals have anti-venom on hand if needed.
TravelersRestHospital, Travelers RestSC
GreenvilleMemorialHospital, GlvSC
GainesvilleHospital, GainesvilleGA
We are checking on Highlands-Cashiers area.
Medical info for the trail
Create a medical form for yourself. Include your full name, address, phone number, next of kin, date of birth, ss number, any allergies to medications, medical problems, prescription medications, over the counter medications and vitamins taken. You may also want to include a copy of your medical insurance card. Fold it up, place it in a container or plastic case and put in your backpack near your first aid kit or in your first aid kit.
This info will only be used if there is an emergency and the information is needed.
What first aid kit you ask?
Everyone should have a first aid kit in their day pack or backpack.
A commercial one can be bought at any outfitter store or wal mart or one can be assembled at home.
Your first aid kit does not need to be fancy, but it should include some basic items: 2 inch wide elastic bandage, 1 inch microspore tape, 2 safety pins, 1 povidone-iodine pad, 2 antibiotic ointment packets, 2 antiseptic towelettes, 10 adhesive bandages(various shapes and sizes), 4 strips of moleskin, 1 gauze pad, 1 non adhesive pad, 1 4x4 inch gauze sponge, 6 two tablet packages of assorted over the counter medicines such as aspirin, indigestion tablets and Benadryl.
If you take prescription drugs daily, then a one day supply of these drugs is also a good idea. Label and seal meds in a plastic bag. Rotate them periodically (at least monthly) as they are likely to take on moisture or crumble when stored in a pack. The same will be true for any OTC medications not in commercially pre-packed dosages.
Please also consider taking a first aid course or wilderness first aid course at your local red cross.
Any other Items needed?
Other items which you should consider carrying in/on your pack are a whistle/compass and signal mirror match case combo attached to the strap of your pack where you can reach it easily; a lightweight plastic poncho, a space blanket, a small led flashlight or headlamp, a couple of protein bars and either tablets or liquid to purify water.
With just this short list of items, in case of an emergency, you have the ability to provide shelter, warmth, light, food and water for yourself and the ability to signal a search team or navigate your way out of an unexpected adventure.
See you on the trail
PS if you would like an upstate hiking decal, please send me a self addressed, stamped envelope and $3.00 and I will mail one or see me on a hike.
Published by Marianna and Janice