Rhabdomyolysis – When Muscles Break Down
On average, each year the Sierra Club’s annual One Day Hike (a 50K/100K hike done in just one day) tends to see at least one or two hikers suffer from Rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis (or Rhabdo for short) is a serious condition that results from the breakdown of muscle fibers which lead to the release of myoglobin into the bloodstream. (more…)
Hyponatremia – Overhydrating on the Trail
By Clifton Castleman, WEMT
Water is an amazing thing – it keeps you going. Literally. However, your body is made of up SALT WATER, not fresh water. By drinking TOO much water, you actually change out the composition of your blood from 70% saline to 50%-70% fresh water (called hyponatremia). (more…)
Blister Prevention, Management & Treatment
By Clifton Castleman, WEMT
*Adapted from the Sierra Club’s Annual One Day Hike
Blisters are the number one foot ailment encountered by hikers – and they can turn the greatest hike into the most painful one. Blisters can be avoided by proper foot training; having the correct footwear and socks, and by early detection of possible problems. To help protect your feet, know the causes of blisters, how to prevent and treat them. (more…)
The Skinny on Satellite Phones
Should I get a satellite phone, a GPS locator or SPOT device?
Well, the simple answer is that there is no “simple” answer. Satellite phones can be incredibly useful for people who travel to land or water areas that do not have access to other types of phones. Customers who need satellite phones have several major brands to choose from when selecting a phone and a service plan…
Boy Scouts – Stewards of Nature?
By Colleen Kennedy
There I was, walking past small, scattered piles of half-burnt Spam cans and unraveled rope, burned-up matches and half-full water bottles. As I continued my wake-up calls for the 30-some Boy Scouts on my outpost, I decided to make the forest a classroom and show them exactly what Leave No Trace (LNT) is really about.
It’s common sense, but not always commonly practiced (just ask those Boy Scouts): LNT is making a conscious effort to reduce your impact on the land and to leave it in the same condition, if not better, for the people who come to enjoy it afterward. One hiker venturing off the trail or one group creating a new campsite may seem of little significance, but the combined effects of millions of such instances leave a substantial and cumulative mark on the land. (more…)
