10-14 Business Days

The start is growing ever closer. Anxiety and nerves are reminding me of my upcoming adventure with every day I tick off my calendar. Other than food, I think I have my pack figured out, although hiking in mud and slush this weekend has me wondering about a hammock concept. So, maybe things will change with my pack!? 

One thing that has helped me realize how close I am to starting is making sure all my I's are crossed and my It's dotted. We were wrapping up taxes, and my husband reminded me that my driver's license expires on my birthday this year. So, I got online and renewed. After paying, the receipt notified me to expect my license in 10-14 business days, but possibly up to 30 days. I looked at the calendar, and realized at that point that I only had 10-14 business days until I head for the start. So, I may at some point be walking with an expired driver's license while my updated one is safe here at home. That's ok with me. I don't plan on driving. If I get carded in a town trying to buy alcohol, and they deny my purchase, then it will be for the better. 

Besides making sure licenses are up to date, this past week at work was the first time I had to actually tell some of my patients I'm leaving soon. Other patients have known for a year or more, and I feel like that came out in casual conversation. The conversations this past week brought the reality of my departure closer to home. Basically, you're telling your family that you're leaving them. They are all so supportive, excited, worried, and probably so many more emotions, while also wondering whether I will return afterwards. At certain points, I feel like I'm abandoning them. Luckily, my fellow nurses are amazing, so I know everyone will be well taken care of. 

With my current anxiety, I decided to go back and read my blog posts from the start of the Appalachian Trail. It appears I was probably equally nervous for the start of that trail. So, all I need is to get out there and start walking. Everything will fall into place at that point. Luckily, my husband has informed his job that he might be out an extra week around the start of this adventure, as he may need to provide extra support. It is really going to be tough leaving him for such a long period of time. Thank goodness he is looking to join me more on this trail than on the A.T. 

International Women's Day - Female hygiene in the backcountry

 

SO, today is international WOMEN'S day! With that in mind and having watched Moxie on Netflix last night, I decided maybe I should do a post about women in the backcountry. MEN, Be aware, I will be talking about menstruation and feminine hygiene in the backcountry. If this makes you uncomfortable, then I suggest skipping this post. 

The biggest issue for women in the backcountry happens in their private areas. This can be from hygiene to safety. Since most women I know are concerned with hygiene in the backcountry, I will start there.

Because women do not have genitalia that hangs out for all to see, it ends up being a warm, moist, dark place, and what do many of us know about those conditions and bacterial growth? It's ideal! So, big concerns in an environment of not showering for days on end can be a bacterial infection like a yeast infection. Add to that, the shy bladder hiker that has problems peeing in the woods, and now you have a urinary tract infection as well. Those alone can end a hiking trip...or at least delay things for a while. So, how as a women in the backcountry do we manage this aspect?

On every long distance hike, I carry at least 1 bandana and 1 buff. Either of these items can be used with a little water to cleanse. If you're lucky, then you are camped next to a stream and that makes this process a little easier. For those not concerned about pack weight, then carrying a small bottle of Dr Bronner's can be your best friend. Not only can you wash your private parts, but you can wash dishes, brush your teeth, and shampoo your hair (please be sure to do all of this 100yards away from the water source so as not to contaminate your/everyone's drinking water - Giardia increases the chance of ending your hike sooner than planned). If pack weight is an issue, then using just water is good as long as you are gently scrubbing versus just pouring water over your privates and calling it good. Another option is feminine hygiene wipes sold near maxi-pads/tampons in the grocery store/pharmacy. They can be packaged in a ziploc such that you have 1-2 for each night that you are out. Typically, taking the time each night to cleanse this area can help reduce the chance of infections. With that said, keeping in mind to wipe/clean from front to back so that you are not spreading anything from the back to the front. 

The other fun thing we women get to manage in the backcountry, if we have not yet passed gracefully through menopause or had a hysterectomy, is that monthly blessing reminding us that we can bring life into this world...our menses. How do we not attract bears during that time of the month, and what do we do with the waste? Yes! There is always a concern about blood attracting wild animals. In my 34years of being outdoors with this issue, I have yet to have a problem with wildlife in relation to my period blood. If you are using maxi pads/tampons, place used ones in a ziploc bag with a tea bag. This neutralizes the odor, and is less apt to attract animals. For those who use something like the diva cup, be sure to dig a deep enough hole far enough away from your campsite to empty the contents (usually about 6inches, the same as burying fecal matter). Remember to practice great hand hygiene as well as feminine hygiene while inserting and removing the diva cup, or you will end up with a horrible infection that takes you off the trail. 

Having discussed the hygiene aspect, let me touch on the safety aspect of being a woman in the backcountry...especially if you are hiking solo. First and most important thing is to always be aware of your surroundings. Notice that strange man watching you across the street. Say hello to the snake spread out sunning itself on the trail before you step on it. And know what's happening in the areas into which you are adventuring. One of the stories I tell is the night I am walking home by myself in the dark from the lightrail station 1.5 miles from my home. Two girls run up behind me and ask if they can walk with me. Their response to my question of why is because there was a weird guy on the train. I questioned where the weird guy was at that moment. The duo stated they did not know. Did he get off the train? They did not know. This is a prime example of not paying attention to your surroundings. If the man gets off the train, you quickly jump back on hoping he is too slow to make it back on before the train leaves the station. If he gets back on, at least there are people and an emergency button on the train. Do NOT get off the train unaware of the weird guy's location and then look to walk with a stranger along a dark path. This leads to my next point...DON'T tell strangers what you are doing or where you are going.

When preparing for the Appalachian Trail, I read Bill Bryson's book, A Walk in The Woods. In that book, he mentions a case of 2 ladies having been killed in their tent along the trail. The way he tells the story, it sounds like the ladies had gone in to town, gotten dinner and some drinks, met a person, and then returned to their tent. It is uncertain whether they said anything to the person about where they were camping, but that is a possibility, and exactly what I am suggesting one does NOT do. While on the AT, I had the opportunity to return to Damascus Trail Days, a huge celebration of the Thru-hiker population. I opted out of going back to a place where I would be camped in a field full of people drinking and partying, thus increasing my potential of being attacked/raped. These are the choices we as females have to make in the backcountry to keep ourselves safe. 

So, stay aware, don't let people know your exact location, and remember your spidey sense. If something doesn't feel right, it probably is NOT right. If on the side of a road and someone sketchy pulls up offering you a ride, talk to them from a distance...do NOT approach a vehicle putting yourself close enough to be in harms way...feel free to tell them your hiking partner is coming along shortly, and even hike back into the woods to go "look for your partner." If after all of this you are still uncertain of your safety on the trail, then maybe look at carrying pepper spray, mace, or taking a self-defense class. 

I hope this post has helped many feel more comfortable going into the backcountry for long periods of time. Educate yourself and stay alert. Women can enjoy the backcountry safely. Happy International Women's Day. I hope to see many more women in the backcountry doing amazing things! It's NOT just a man's world anymore! 

Cheers!

30 Days and Weighing In

 Go time is quickly approaching. I can hardly believe how close the start line is at this time. With only 30 days left until I start, I have begun telling more people of my departure. With telling more people comes the age old questions...

1. You're going with a group, right?

2. Are you bringing any sort of weapon?

3. Won't your husband miss you?

4. How much does your pack weigh?

5. How do you get food along the way?

6. Aren't you worried about Bears, mountain lions, animals?

7. What about hygiene?

and of course, my favorite...Why?

Let me start with saying that I am NOT going with a group, but hope to hike with many wonderful people along the way, like I did along the Appalachian Trail in 2005. The Facebook NCT community has been an amazing group of people, and I hope to put real faces to the posts I see in that group. Also, many friends and family members have offered to join me along my adventure.

As for the weapon, there is much controversy around weapons and backpacking. Guns are not allowed in many national parks, especially open carry. Speaking of open carry and rules, there are some states that do NOT allow open carry. So, I carry a gun only to have it packed in my backpack somewhere when I really need it. "Please wait, person assaulting me, I need to dig my weapon out of my pack real quick!?" Of course, I will have a knife with me as I like to carry cheese and cut it every so often. Feel free to laugh about the idea of cutting the cheese. ;-P Along with that, I am looking at carrying a pepper spray or a citronella spray that I use when my dog is a jerk, as I have heard/read about backpackers being chased by off leash dogs along certain routes. Then, recently, one of my patients gave me a "Self Defense Siren." It looks like a neat little, lightweight device that will hopefully make enough noise to scare or hurt the ears of any animal getting too close to me. Keep in mind, all these devices add weight, but are still lighter than carrying a gun. ;-)

In regards to missing my husband, hmmm...let me think on that a minute...Just kidding! Of course, I am going to miss my husband. We have known each other for 26+ years and been married for 22.5 of those years. He's like an extra appendage with which I will not be hiking. With that said, it is also good for us to spend time apart as we both waste a lot of time worrying about the other unnecessarily at times. This time apart helps refocus both of us and remind each other that we can survive despite our sometimes crazy choices.

My pack I am trying my best to keep around the 45lb range, but am having some trouble as I am uncertain with what kind of weather and trail conditions I will be starting. I will dedicate another post for weight related talk, as there is much to say regarding gear for a long distance hike. 

The weight of my pack will obviously vary based on how many days of food I will need to carry. Currently, my itinerary has me taking a rest day every 9 days. That would technically mean I would be carrying enough food for 9 days. This trail, however, goes through lots of small towns. SO, I am thinking I can resupply in these small towns or even eat meals along the route, thus my food weight would be reduced. With that said, I will want to make sure I have plenty of food with me so that I am not stuck in the middle of nowhere without anything to eat. 

As to my concern with the wildlife, I am not so concerned about the animals. Yes! I will be hiking through the Adirondacks during the spring as bears are coming out of hibernation looking for food. This just means I have to be extra careful in making sure my bear bag is hung high and done well, and that my camp is tidy and clean of smells. Typically, animals are more afraid of humans than we are of them. When they aren't is when there is a problem due to the lack of respect from humans to the environment of the animals. 

Now, the question of hygiene...Yes! I am hiking for about 9 days straight without a shower. My body loves to have the natural oils back on trips like this, and responds accordingly. With that said, I am the one having to deal with my own stink, and while hiking, I don't usually notice, especially over time. The one thing I do make sure to do is brush my teeth and brush my hair. Oral hygiene is extremely important as it can take you out on so many levels, if you end up sick from the gross crap on your teeth. As for brushing the hair, that is just so it does NOT knot up and become a nightmare. I suppose I could always shave my head if that did happen, but I like my long hair. Outside of those 2 important hygiene parts, I am hopefully camping next to or near water most nights, as that is the easiest way to cook my dinner. I will probably rinse off with some water as needed while hiking. When I hit Lake Superior, I can guarantee I will be taking dips in that gorgeous lake. The only other hygiene issue for women in the backcountry is of course menstrual blood. This can also be an animal issue, if not managed appropriately. So, I will have some wipes around for during that time, and I carry tea bags to add to the used feminine hygiene products that I might have to carry to help reduce the odor. As soon as I find a garbage, then I ditch that stuff and most of my trash. 

Now, last, but not least...WHY?

Most of my life, I am over concerned with the happiness of others and therefore spend a lot of time trying to make them happy. By doing this, I tend to lose myself, and get frustrated, exhausted, angry, depressed, and just lazy. When I get to this point is when I know I need to go take care of myself, and the only way to do that is to get away from everything. The woods is my happy place and walking helps my brain function at the top of its ability. I can remove myself from worrying about what everyone else thinks of me, and remind myself of what I think of me, and honestly, that is the only thing that really matters in life. I have to deal with me, and if I'm not happy with me, then it is time to walk for a bit and figure out what needs to change. The other part of going on long distance hikes is to challenge myself. Sure, I could stay home and run ultra-marathons, but the past few years have taught me that I do NOT do well at speed. I like things to move slower. I like to interact with a variety of people and learn from every person I meet. I want to see the world at a slower pace than always running around trying to see all the things the tour guides point out. There are so many neat things to be seen, when we take the time to slow down and look, and there are so many things we can learn when we take the time to meet and talk with people of all different walks of life.