Hiker Essentials:

    I have seen several articles lately that list the "Ten Essentials" that every hiker should carry.  Interestingly enough, these lists don't all agree.  Here is my list of essential equipment, created on the fly by comparing several of the published lists.

• Water
• Appropriate clothing (considering current weather; potential weather; trail conditions)
• First Aid kit
• Good boots
• Rain Gear
• Pocket Knife   
• Compass; map
• Sun Protection
• Whistle (or other means of communication)
• Trail Food
• Survival items (If you get separated from the group and lost; you could spend an unplanned night on the trail.  Things such as flash light, matches, trail food, and extra clothing could be the difference between disaster and just an interesting trail story)

Whether or not you carry each of these items every trip depends on a lot of factors. Hiking a seldom used trail in the national forest is much different than a trail in Hot Springs Village.  A recent incident, however, demonstrated that even an "easy" trail can cause trouble for an experienced hiker.  Smart hikers plan for two basic contingencies. First, that anyone can fall and get hurt at any time; and, second, that you may get separated from the group and have to fend for yourself.  It may not be necessary for every member of a hike to have a map of the trail, but everyone should be aware of the basic route and be able to choose the correct turn if we become separated and came to an un-marked intersection. Survival gear is the most un-likely to be needed, but the most important when it is needed.  Most of us just keep our pack pre-loaded with the basics and therefore don't have to think about it. 

First-Aid:

    We get lots of questions about first aid kits.  When should you carry one? What should it include? The answer to the first question is any time you are in the woods, carry a first aid kit.  The answer to the second question is a lot more complicated and you can find as many answers as people to ask.  So here is one opinion, based on talking to lots of people and reading a few 'experts'.  We had a fall on the trail last week that confirmed the need to carry a kit; and influenced my final answer to "what".  We ended up pooling the resources of three or four kits to solve the problem.

    A good first aid kit should be able to deal with several main 'events':  blisters, sprain, wound (breaks skin), pain, and bites.

    Blisters:  Carry a few sheets of Moleskin; best there is to prevent blisters.  Apply it as soon as you feel chafing.  If you already have a serious blister, both Dr Scholl's and Johnson& Johnson have fairly new products for "blister treatment" that is a super band-aid "seal" for the blister.  It encloses the damage already done and prevents further abrasion.

    Sprains:  A roll of ace bandage is lightweight and easy to use.  If you know you have a week knee, do like I do and carry a knee brace.  Saved me a couple times.  Same is true for ankle or whatever weak joint you have.

    Wounds/Antiseptic:  The first problem with a wound is cleaning it off so you can bandage it.  A small tube of antiseptic cream is good; or many of the main antiseptics come in individual dose sealed packets that are easy to carry.  Individually sealed alcohol wipes come in handy.  (Individual doses keep items like this from drying up).  In many cases, particularly with serious bleeding, it is hard to apply any antiseptic and a small bottle of peroxide to pour on the wound is the only thing that works.   Find very small plastic bottles and use them to carry such items.

    Wounds/Bandage:  Most first aid kits seem to have about ten 1/2" band-aids and 2 or 3 larger (2") band aids.  My experience, twice now, says that is the wrong ratio, and my kit now has equal number of both.  The small ones are great for briar snags, scratches, etc, but not any serious cut.  Generally, cuts encountered on the trail are substantial.  It is important to first stop the bleeding and second make the bandage hold on dirty, wet skin.  Dirty from hiking, wet from sweat and the peroxide you just poured over it.  The 2" bandages are a lot more effective than the small ones.   Gauze pads are even better, particularly when bleeding needs pressure to stop it.  The best way to stop bleeding is a few 2 - 3" gauze pads, wet with antiseptic, and held down tightly with adhesive tape.  I have a small roll of 1/2 tape that takes up little space or weight.

    Pain:  Pain can result from a variety of causes, but is not uncommon.  I carry about a dozen Ibuprofen in a tiny pill bottle, because my most common pain is muscular, and ibuprofen seems to work best for me.  Aspirin, Aleve, Tylenol, or any of the other pain relief types can also be carried -- whatever works best for you.  Again, a small plastic bottle can be replenished regularly from a home supply.

    Bites:  Snakes and insects I am talking about here; not bears or mad dogs.  (For those, you better get help quick.)  I do not carry a snake bite kit, but I regularly read articles on proper response to snake bites.  The kits don’t really add anything, just make it easier.  Insects, on the other hand, can be a nuisance.  If you are allergic to bee stings, wasps, or even ticks, you should carry anti-histamine related to your allergy.  If you just don’t like to itch, their are several insect bite creams/treatments that also come packaged in individual packages. Some people carry small doses of bleach; witch hazel; ammonia, or anti-itch creams.  I vote for the sealed packages.  Carry two or three at a time.

    Other thoughts:  In addition to the basics, tweezers are a very handy tool to have in the kit.  They are good for removing splinters, exorcising ticks, and various other functions.  If you don’t carry a pocket knife, then a small pair of scissors might be handy (you might have to cut tape or gauze, for ex). 

    Weight/volume is very important to anything we carry, of course, which is why I like small amounts (repacked into small bottles) and the individual dose packages of antiseptics and bite creams.  But this approach requires constant replenishment.  

    Most important, once you pack your kit, go back and look at it every now and then.  First, you want to remain familiar with what you have and second you want to keep it current.  Items that get used and items that are out-of-date must be replaced.   Items can grow old in several ways.  They can pass an expiration date; they can simply dry up; the individual packs can leak or tear; water can leak into the kit. You can’t just pack your kit, throw it in the bottom of your pack, and forget it.

Trail Guides:

    We are all familiar with the Tim Ernst trail guide books, because they are so good.  "Arkansas Hiking Trails" is a classic, and the detail in his separate books for the Ouachita Trail, Ozark Highlands Trail, and Buffalo River Trail make them invaluable.  There are lots of other trail guides and information available, however.  Arkansas State Parks publish trail guides for the trails in each park.  These are free and readily available at the parks.  The Ouachita National Forest publishes one page guides to most of the trails in the National Forest.  These are particularly good for trails systems with more than one route (such as the Little Blakely or Brushy Creek) because they provide mileages for the individual segments. National Forest guides can be obtained at any district ranger station, such as the Jessieville Visitor's Center.  Hot Springs National Park has a fairly detailed set of guides for the twenty or so miles of trails in the park.   These are "behind the counter" at the Fordyce Bath House VC, however, and you have to know to ask for them.  (Now you do).

Bug Season:   

    With bug season upon us again, Kris McMillen writes:  A couple of years ago at the Trails Festival at Byrd's I bought some "Bug Buster Bars" from "Delsie" (the soap lady from Ozark, AR).  They come in a stick like deodorant and are effective.  They have all natural ingredients like citronella and vanilla so are safe for your skin.  I am going to be in Ozark while paddling on Mulberry River weekend of April 30, and plan to stop by her store.  She gives 20% discount to visitors to her "soap room".  If anyone wants me to pick something up, they need to tell me by April 29 or 30.  I will be leaving home on April 30 to go up there.
    Otherwise here is her contact information and website:

        Delsie

        P.O. Box 48, Ozark, AR 72852

        479-292-3267

        delsie@cswnet.com     www.delsiesoaps.com

     Here is some good advice that Elsie gave me:

        "This year is shaping up to be an especially bad year for insects, including the buffalo gnat.  I have put together some ideas to help protect yourself when you are going to be out door. 

          #1 Don't use laundry detergent or fabric softeners that have scent.  If you must have a scent, use citronella-vanilla combination.  You can buy citronella essential oil at most health food stores and the vanilla must be pure vanilla, you can dab a little on a cotton ball and throw it in the dryer with your cloths.  

 

Poison Ivy:   

    Here is a great tip for poison ivy season.  Several people have mentioned a plant called jewelweed (impatiens capensis) that is supposed to cure "cure" poison ivy.  Don Haase, among others, tells of "curing" a case of poison ivy with the plant a few years ago at the Ozark Folk Center, by rubbing the juice from the leaves on the rash.   Well, now there is apparently a product that uses jewelweed as the active ingredient.  Our VP, Loretta "Toes" Melancon, is always looking for natural ingredients that do the job of pharmaceuticals, so she ordered a bottle to have on hand. Here are the details:
    Sumactin (www.sumactin.com) claims to be the strongest natural poison ivy, oak and sumac solution available anywhere with or without a prescription.  Its active ingredient (along with a few other herbs) is jewelweed.  Sumactin is applied directly to the affected area three times a day and is said to penetrate the skin and goes to work right away fighting the toxins. 

    It is rather pricey at $40 for 4 oz., but it carries a 100% money back guarantee. If you have
questions call Loretta or the manufacturer, Selmedica Healthcare Corp. at (800) 492-1480.