FROM THE HIKE PLANNERS:

WHAT’S NEW? 

From 2007 on, you’ll see a new Hike Rating System, combining distance, terrain and footing. 

Distance:     A = 10 and more miles,     Terrain / Footing: 1 = easy          

                    B =  8 - 10 miles                                            2 = average 

                    C =  6 - 8 miles                                              3 = moderate

                    D =  3 - 6 miles                                              4 = strenuous

                    E =  up to 3 miles 

A hike rated D2, for example, tells you that the hike is between 3 and 6 miles long and the terrain and footing will be average. 

This system will surely give you a better feeling of what you are going to face out in the woods. It also eliminates the historic gray area between the former #2 and #3 hikes. 

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 PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT RECOMMENDATIONS

FROM BERT KUNZE

Choose things in your first aid kit that are versatile rather than specific. Carry only items you are familiar with, and re-pack your kit at least seasonally.  Attend first aid classes and learn how to prevent injuries.  Accept the fact that there is no perfect first aid kit. 

Basics for year round:

A few assorted waterproof bandaids……..   (a good brand is “Nexcare”)    

Moleskin and/or 2^nd Skin……………………..       (to treat blisters and/or hot spots)    

A small amount of Tincture of Benzoin…..   (rub benzoin on sweaty skin, then  adhesive tapes stick better)                                                                     

A roll of athletic tape one inch by 10 yards. (athletic tape shapes itself more  easily to the strange designs of human extremities)

An elastic ACE bandaid

A few wound closure strips………………..          (butterfly strips)

An individually wrapped sanitary napkin…    (makes a wonderful compress for badly bleeding injuries)

Some Povidone-Iodine……………………….           (for cleaning wounds and disinfecting water)    

A few tablets of painkiller …………………..        (e.g. Aspirin or Ibuprofen)   

A few mild antihistamine tablets……………      (Benadryl might be best for most people to relieve allergic reactions)

A pair of rubber or latex gloves…………….      (watch:  Some people are allergic to Latex material)     

Antimicrobial ointment

Some Rubbing Alcohol and some antiseptic towelettes

Scissors and tweezers

A few assorted safety pins

Space blanket 

Summer specific recommendations: 

Sunscreen

Lip balm

Insect/Tick repellents……………………….         (with DEET or Permethrin)

Salt tablets……………………………………               (“Thermotabs”)

“tecnu”……………………………………….                (A solution to wash skin that got exposed to poison ivy and poison oak)

EpiPen, or EpiPen Jr.  ………………………         (for severe allergic reactions)

Sawyer Extractor…………………………….           (for Snakebites and Spiderbites ) 

Winter specific recommendations: 

Traction devices for your Boots…………        (there are several models available)

Waterproof matches and fire starters…….   (lint from clothes dryers works well)

Hot drinks………………………………………              (carry a thermos bottle)

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