The United States is home to some of the world’s most rugged and remote long-distance hiking trails. These trails traverse a range of landscapes, attracting hikers from all over the globe. The popular three long-distance hiking routes, referred to as the “triple crown” of trails, include the Appalachian, Continental Divide, and Pacific Crest trails. These trails will challenge your skills and reward you with beautiful scenery. Which trail you choose ultimately depends on the type of experience you’re seeking — whether you desire trekking the heavily trafficked wet and […]
Yearly Archives: 2017
10 posts
That cold fast moving clear mountain spring appears pristine to the naked eye, but microscopic organisms are thriving in its water by the millions. If ingested, some of these microorganisms can cause severe gastrointestinal infections resulting in diarrhea and vomiting. Two such common microorganisms you might encounter in wilderness waters are Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Here we discuss why you should always treat wilderness water and the type of treatment method you should use based on your location. Biologically Contaminated Water Biologically contaminated water is water that contains microorganisms such as protozoa, […]
Each year, many prepare for the journey to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada to be part of the temporary community called Black Rock City. Organizers describe this event as an experimental community centered on radical self-expression and art. Participants must bring their own food. Here’s a list of suitable foods to take to the Playa. 1. Use Backpacking Food for Quick Meals Freeze-dried foods are a game-changer for Burning Man. It’s the epitome of convenience: it requires no refrigeration/cooler, is highly portable, and simplifies cooking. Just reconstitute the dried […]
When you get overheated and sweat, your skin appears pinkish because the capillaries open up near the skin and release water and salts. As the sweat evaporates, it transfers internal heat from the core to the surface of your skin for rapid cooling. The blood near the skin’s surface becomes cooler as it releases your body’s heat into the air. This cooler blood then recirculates through the body. The perspiration and evaporation process is the primary method used by the body to cool itself down; however, it is effective when sweat can […]
Although biting insects are annoying, most cause no harm to humans or animals. The exceptions are the blood-feeding pests that can vector many etiological pathogens, such as mosquitoes and ticks. In the U.S., the Black Legged tick, also known as the deer tick, can spread the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi. The related species in Europe is the Castor Bean Tick (sheep tick) and the Taiga tick in Asia. Dog ticks, Lone star ticks, and other types of ticks aren’t able to transmit Lyme disease. Scientists predict the warming climate […]