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Hiking, tips and tricks....

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Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby WapitiTalk1 » 06 29, 2017 •  [Post 1]

Ever had your toes scream in agony when you do a long downhill descent? Stop before you begin and "set" your boots by tying them tight from lower ankle to toe to prevent slippage.....it makes a difference, trust me. Loosen them up when you're done with the extreme downhill. What else?
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Lefty » 06 29, 2017 •  [Post 2]

Fresh wool socks.
I have come to rely on Trekking poles on decent hiking trails. Ill admit I thought they were to trendy at first. With the nephropathy in my legs and feet they help me an incredible about.
Lots of water
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Tigger » 06 30, 2017 •  [Post 3]

walking sideways downhill before your feet start to hurt helps. Just alternate going left foot first then switch to right foot first. Then go back to toe first.

I like to stretch throughout the day a little. Probably should do it a lot more.

I haven't don't trekking poles yet. I want to try that this year.

Having your hunting buddy carry your backpack too helps immensely.
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby pointysticks » 06 30, 2017 •  [Post 4]

trim your toenails BEFORE any big hikes.

a bunch of snaggle-toenails will haunt you.
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Swede » 06 30, 2017 •  [Post 5]

There is nothing like going on a nice long hike in rough country after 11 1/2 month of being a couch potato. The fresh air is a little problematic, but you will get used to it. You can really feel those muscles in your legs. If you have a pack, you really feel all kinds of muscles and joints from your neck down. You can breathe fire, and best of all you can test your heart out. To make your experience really noteworthy, wear a brand new pair of untried boots. 8-)
Or you can be wimp and get in good shape, moderate your hikes, take along plenty of water and wear a pair of well broke in boots. But anyone can do it that way.
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Tigger » 06 30, 2017 •  [Post 6]

Don't forget cotton socks. If you wear cotton socks, you will be able to brag to your coworkers back home about the size and number of blisters you got!

I like merino wool the best. Smartwool is hard to beat. Kenetrek socks work well too.
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Roosiebull » 07 01, 2017 •  [Post 7]

WapitiTalk1 wrote:Ever had your toes scream in agony when you do a long downhill descent? Stop before you begin and "set" your boots by tying them tight from lower ankle to toe to prevent slippage.....it makes a difference, trust me. Loosen them up when you're done with the extreme downhill. What else?

to add to your good tip, go on youtube and look at all of the lacing techniques you can and try them. before a couple years ago I didn't know there were several techniques and ways to do it, I have tried several, some work better on certain boots, but it has really been helpful.
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby saddlesore » 07 01, 2017 •  [Post 8]

Use unscented antiperspirant on your feet before starting. Under those wool socks wear a light pair of poly socks.

Eat Tums after the hike. It reduces the lactic acid in your blood and evens out the PH level.

Ankle high boots offer no support to tour ankles when hiking.They work on trails,but sidelining along a mountain they are crap
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Lefty » 07 03, 2017 •  [Post 9]

Saddlesore I didn't know about the tums, good tip

I'm packing in on my back, not a horse, trek poles mosquito dope, gloves, net, and yep,,,,, bear bells
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Swede » 07 03, 2017 •  [Post 10]

Lefty wrote:I'm packing in on my back, not a horse, trek poles mosquito dope, gloves, net, and yep,,,,, bear bells


Bear bells? Are those like a dinner bell to the bear?
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Elkduds » 07 03, 2017 •  [Post 11]

Steep ascents, make your pack top-heavy. Steep descents, bottom-heavy. Yes to trekking poles, even a hiking staff is better than nothing. Hydrate or die. Hiking is less effort and the miles go by faster if your pace is slow w fewer stops, as opposed to faster pace w more frequent breaks. If your pack allows, tight on the waist belt, looser on the shoulder straps so hips carry the most weight. When crossing fast water or cliffy terrain, belt off and loose straps in case of fall. Hunt uphill from camp/trail/truck if applicable.
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby JKaboom » 07 03, 2017 •  [Post 12]

OK Saddlesore you have my attention with the Tums thing. So when I took hunter safety this old timer giving the class said original formula rolaids would help combat altitude sickness if you chew them up to a liquid and hold in your mouth for about 5 minutes before swallowing. I tried this and it did in fact work for mild altitude sickness. I have not heard of the Tums to combat lactic acid but really like the tip. Have you or any of you guys heard of the rolaids thing?

All the provided tips are great, I never thought of different lacing options but may look into that.

This is the kind of stuff that really makes me like WT :)
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby ishy » 07 03, 2017 •  [Post 13]

saddlesore wrote:Use unscented antiperspirant on your feet before starting.

I was just going to ask if anyone had tried this. I read in a book about a HS runner that looses a leg and they put it on the hot spots on the stump and was a total godsend.
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Charina » 07 03, 2017 •  [Post 14]

saddlesore wrote:Eat Tums after the hike. It reduces the lactic acid in your blood and evens out the PH level.


See: http://faculty.washington.edu/crowther/ ... ndA6.shtml

faculty.washington.edu wrote:Your question is based on the theory that lactic acid causes fatigue and that counteracting the lactic acid should therefore delay fatigue and enhance performance. Many (though not all) exercise scientists accept this theory as valid for events lasting from two minutes to an hour or more.
. . .
First, not all buffers produce the desired effect. For example, eating sodium bicarbonate (the active ingredient in Alka-Seltzer and baking soda) will make your blood less acidic, but eating calcium carbonate (the active ingredient in Tums and Rolaids) will not. Second, a lot of buffer must be consumed; the dose used in most studies is about 0.14 grams of sodium bicarbonate per pound of body weight. To take in that amount, a 150-pound person would have to choke down 10 or so Alka-Seltzer tablets (dissolved in water) prior to racing -- not a good idea unless you have medical supervision (especially since some forms of Alka-Seltzer have extra ingredients such as aspirin). Finally, not only do some people not seem to benefit from bicarbonate loading, some actually experience stomach discomfort and/or diarrhea as a result of it.
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby pointysticks » 07 06, 2017 •  [Post 15]

nothing wrong with cotton socks in the right conditions. like long brutal hikes from a base camp where you can change socks if needed.

they just dont wick well,and eventually stink..but seriously..wool gets a funk as well. if you are pack hunting..and you only have one pair of socks for 6 days. yup..wool.

i'd argue that more athletic activities happen with cotton socks on than wool.
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby saddlesore » 07 06, 2017 •  [Post 16]

Charina wrote:
saddlesore wrote:Eat Tums after the hike. It reduces the lactic acid in your blood and evens out the PH level.


See: http://faculty.washington.edu/crowther/ ... ndA6.shtml

faculty.washington.edu wrote:Your question is based on the theory that lactic acid causes fatigue and that counteracting the lactic acid should therefore delay fatigue and enhance performance. Many (though not all) exercise scientists accept this theory as valid for events lasting from two minutes to an hour or more.
. . .
First, not all buffers produce the desired effect. For example, eating sodium bicarbonate (the active ingredient in Alka-Seltzer and baking soda) will make your blood less acidic, but eating calcium carbonate (the active ingredient in Tums and Rolaids) will not. Second, a lot of buffer must be consumed; the dose used in most studies is about 0.14 grams of sodium bicarbonate per pound of body weight. To take in that amount, a 150-pound person would have to choke down 10 or so Alka-Seltzer tablets (dissolved in water) prior to racing -- not a good idea unless you have medical supervision (especially since some forms of Alka-Seltzer have extra ingredients such as aspirin). Finally, not only do some people not seem to benefit from bicarbonate loading, some actually experience stomach discomfort and/or diarrhea as a result of it.


I guess the survival training at the Air Force Academy done for years by Peter Kumberfelt have been all wrong because they have been teaching that. Tums and Rolaids differ in their chemical make up as they always stressed that Rolaids would not work Alka Seltzer was not mention so no sense in bringing that into the conversation .The symptoms that were being treated were cramps which is a direct result of acid build up in tissues. ( magnesium will also help that,but isn't recomended as a steady in take). In addition a couple aspirins were also recomended .Aspirin, besides a pain reducer is also a blood thinner .

I am under medical supervision because of extreme Acid Reflux and I take about 15 tums a day. Several doctors,including a gastro specialists have told me it does no harm , but is very beneficial. If you are suseptible to kidneys stones form with calcium carbonate (Tums),you might oveer an extended period of time have a stone. My stones are calcium oxalate, not calcium carbonate Don't put a lot of faith in any faculty now days (faculty.washington.edu. ) A person can drink water and suffer side effects too.

Guys,trust me,thousands of Air Force Cadets and graduates have been using this treatment for years with success. Probably a lot more than some clinical trials done at Washington State
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Idahonian » 07 06, 2017 •  [Post 17]

On the cramps issue...I believe there has been a lot of research lately on the topic. The findings have been that cramps are NOT due to lactic acid buildup or electrolyte imbalance but are instead neuromuscular in nature. Cramps can be "cured" by taking salt or some other harsh tasting food (perhaps even tums!) but the mechanism appears to be neuromuscular, not related to blood concentrations.

Also, the latest research I believe indicates that lactic acid is not the mechanism for muscle soreness. Indeed, lactic acid is the fuel for muscles during anaerobic exercise. The soreness (again, as I recall) has been pinned on microtears in the muscles.

And yes, thousands (millions?) have been treated for various ailments based on erroneous understandings! Of this and other medical things, including bad diet advice etc.

Not trying to argue here; just passing along some of the information I've learned recently!

Links: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wsj.co ... 1468256588

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2006/05/16/h ... 16run.html
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Navesgane » 07 07, 2017 •  [Post 18]

Make yourself do switchbacks in steep ascents and descents if you have the space. Going straight up and down is not only more exhausting but also dangerous.
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Lefty » 07 07, 2017 •  [Post 19]

I'm sure we can go back and forth, about lactic acid, and leg cramps. I have two close friends that went though the military to earn theit MD.
What works for one person may not work for another.
I have suffered from leg cramps most of my life.My dad always wanted me to drink dill pickle juice , 45 years ago.
I've always have craved pickled, eggs, hot mommas, dill pickles and the pat 12 years after a hard hunt in the woods, pickled rinds, or pigs feet.
it helps me.
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Lefty » 07 07, 2017 •  [Post 20]

Saddlesore
I went through 7 years of diet and Prilosec
My avideo reflux was _"cured" by raising the head of my bed 2.5 inches. And not eating before bed time.
I quite enjoy citrus fruits and mostly quite those too.
As I mentione above . Worked for me.
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Idahonian » 07 07, 2017 •  [Post 21]

Lefty wrote:I'm sure we can go back and forth, about lactic acid, and leg cramps. I have two close friends that went though the military to earn theit MD.
What works for one person may not work for another.
I have suffered from leg cramps most of my life.My dad always wanted me to drink dill pickle juice , 45 years ago.
I've always have craved pickled, eggs, hot mommas, dill pickles and the pat 12 years after a hard hunt in the woods, pickled rinds, or pigs feet.
it helps me.


Interestingly, if you read the article you will see that harsh-tasting foods (like pickles!) are actually proven to help relieve cramps. Apparently was a case of doing the right thing without fully understanding why. Before it was thought that the foods affected electrolyte levels, thereby reducing cramps, but the latest thought is that the taste effectively overrides or resets neuromuscular "errant signals" that cause the cramps. Of course, this latest-and-greatest understanding could be wrong as well.

In any case, I agree that what works for one may not work for others. I just enjoy following the new developments. It's a bit of a hobby of mine. Makes me wonder: if the consensus of yesterday was wrong about cramps and lactic acid, what is the consensus of today wrong about?

I also have acquaintances and family members who went through the military to get MDs, which adds to my interest. Anyway, as I said before, I'm not arguing, just sharing information that is interesting to me.
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby saddlesore » 07 07, 2017 •  [Post 22]

Lefty wrote:Saddlesore
I went through 7 years of diet and Prilosec
My avideo reflux was _"cured" by raising the head of my bed 2.5 inches. And not eating before bed time.
I quite enjoy citrus fruits and mostly quite those too.
As I mentione above . Worked for me.


Lefty.I have my bed raised, sleep on my left side,take two, 40mg of Protonix a day, two Zantac a day and about 15 Tums. That barely controls it. Docs want to do surgery where they pull your stomach up and wrap the upper end of it round the end of your esophygus and sew it on. I did research on that,and declined.My diet is very restrictive.

I have used the Tums for years, had a bout of leg cramps awhile back and also had to take magnesium for a week or so, under doctors orders.

There is a homeopatnic product by Hyland available at Vitamin Cottage or w Whole Foods for leg cramps also, .Put to under your tongue and cramps go away. Don't know why,but they work
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby saddlesore » 07 07, 2017 •  [Post 23]

[quote="Idahonian"
In any case, I agree that what works for one may not work for others. I just enjoy following the new developments. It's a bit of a hobby of mine. Makes me wonder: if the consensus of yesterday was wrong about cramps and lactic acid, what is the consensus of today wrong about? [/quote]

Yep,remember when they said coffee was bad for you,eggs, quite a few of them out there, now they are saying that these vege diets without meat,might not be all they are cracked up to be.
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Lefty » 07 07, 2017 •  [Post 24]

Lefty wrote:I have two close friends that went though the military to earn their MD. .
oops I shouldnt text from my phone and without he readers,.. that wasnt suppose to be in the post
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Lefty » 07 07, 2017 •  [Post 25]

,.. Docs want to do surgery where they pull your stomach up and wrap the upper end of it round the end of your esophygus and sew it on. I did research on that,and declined.My diet is very restrictive.

Yikes, I still limit the carbonated sodas and water, citrus and watermelon. Mine acid re-flux sort of disappeared as a problem.
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Tigger » 07 10, 2017 •  [Post 26]

Gee whiz Saddlesore, your body is sure giving you some trouble. All that in addition to the shoulder issues. best of luck!
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby bracer40 » 07 12, 2017 •  [Post 27]

A hand towel slung around the neck. Great for mopping the brow and even better when dunked into a cold stream and draped over the neck.
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Old school » 07 15, 2017 •  [Post 28]

trying to slightly sidehill for me as well - that straight down thing kills me. Did it last year down into "the hole" and thought "that was stupid" - poly liner socks over wool didn't help as much as I'd hoped when we were dropping at such a steep angle. Next time, I'll side hill, zig zag a little bit.

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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby Lefty » 07 18, 2017 •  [Post 29]

Swede wrote:
Lefty wrote:I'm packing in on my back, not a horse, trek poles mosquito dope, gloves, net, and yep,,,,, bear bells


Bear bells? Are those like a dinner bell to the bear?

they do help with black bears,.. but they arent the concern. While in the Winds two weeks ago ran into a fellow. Who walked into grizzlies twice this year, he had bells. both single boars. He firmly believes the bells "saved him" on one bear. He came into view of the bear. Just sitting on its rump , on the trail 30 yards in front of him. He believed the bear not being surprised didn't really become aggressive as if they had just popped into view.
He also mentioned neither grizzle "left" , and he believed the bear "let them" back out.

Another tip. Two cans of bear spray. I lost mine crossing a small raging torrent. The next evening I found what I suspected was an older griz kill. maye two weeks.
Leaving camp a week ago Friday morning I found two more elk remains,.. 60-70 lbs of the hind legs and rump. My dog started walking towards the one kill,.. raised her hackles, I started looking for a tree. My dog turned to look at me, tail ducked under and we got out of there quick and quiet.
An adrenaline moment
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Re: Hiking, tips and tricks....

Postby saddlesore » 07 25, 2017 •  [Post 30]

This might be on the opposite end of the spectrum. When hiking and you come upon a horse or mule rider/packing speak up. Don't just stand on the edge of the trail, get off 5-8 feet. Avoid being kicked by a frightened animal. When approaching from the rear, it is doubly more important to speak out, well in advance.

Hikers with big packs that extend over their heads seem to spook animals more than smaller packs. In any case, I think the equine perceives an uncommon spectacle . Mules in particular are fussy about strange objects and when they kick they are amazingly accurate. A horse will just kick out, hit or miss. A mule will kick you in the belt buckle or head, depending whichever it chooses and will not miss. A double barrel kick with both back feet will not end well with the hiker.

Not a hiker, but a cyclist came riding up behind my pack mule this past week. Head down going like heck. It was only pure luck that he didn't get seriously injured and my luck that my pack mule didn't jump up in the saddle with me.
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