Hike Leaders Info

FROM THE HIKE PLANNERS:

Hike Rating  System: 

(What those letters and numbers mean)

   Distance:     A =   up to 3 miles                    Terrain  / Footing:   1 = easy           

                         B =   3 - 6 miles                                                               2 = average  

                         C =  6 - 8  miles                                                               3 = moderate

                         D =   8 - 10  miles                                                           4 = strenuous

                         E =   over 10 miles                                                         5 = very strenuous

For example, a hike rated B2  tells you that the hike is  between 3 and 6 miles long and the terrain and footing will be average.  A  hike rated E4 tells you the hike is over 10 miles and is strenuous.

Other symbols and their meaning:

**  Trails maintained by MHH

#   Designated Wilderness Area (limit 10 hikers  /group in NC,  12 hikers/group in GA)

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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 2nd 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) 

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)