Northwest Hiking

By starting this new category, I hope to let readers in on a personal aspect of my life as editor of this resource.  I also hope to give readers the chance to share in the everyday joys, sadness, and fun that is associated with living in the northwest.  Comments, suggestions, and requests are always accepted readily, and are encouraged.  Enjoy!

2/23/09:
A week ago I sprained my ankle free-running.  It is one of my hidden talents that few people know about, but I find an extreme sense of joy in.  The ability to jump at will from various heights to the ground below in a rush of flurry and motion surpasses most of the joys this world offers.  Not to mention is it good exercise.

It is the second week, and I have finally started to walk on it again after extensive tearing and bruising in the ankle.  Healing is going much faster than expected using a new system I found on the internet.  Hopefully I will be back up and doing rigorous exercise in 3 weeks, but that is optimistic.

Meanwhile, this affects a much bigger factor related to this blog. . .hiking!  I have been hiking every weekend after five days of classes in rigorous preparation for firefighter training, and I am without the ability to conquer the highest peaks!  Soon enough it will change, though.  More late. . .

Continuing with the previous survival first-aid theme that we started a few days ago, let us now look at first-aid kits built for more long term hikes.  These are not necessarily overnight hikes, but they are further away from civilization and can entail slightly elevated risks than included in a small couple hour hike.  I know for me, my worst injuries on the trail were when I was hiking more than 2 hours.  The many reasons for this include increased fatigue, tired and sore muscles, susceptibility to sprains, etc.  As such, in addition to the day hike first-aid kit we talks about, you should also include a few more items:

• Electrolyte replacement powder:  Gatorade or similar product will work just fine.
• Splints:  Particularly for the fingers.
• Extra Gauze
• Two days worth of each:
  1. Aspirin
  2. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen, whichever you prefer (are not allergic to)
• In addition, you may also want to consider a quick stop bleed reducing powder.  I have had several instances where I wished I had it.

Remember to be safe out there and to add to this list as you customize based on where you go, hiking habits, etc.  Happy trails!