Articles, Gear Reviews, and Advice to Prepare You for the Appalachian Trail

By Prada

Today started as one of those days. You know the kind. You wake up to the blasted alarm and think, “I do not feel like going,” wherever it is that you are supposed to be going.

Deep in increasing personal deception, I rolled over and tied to decide what hurt. What excuse would my mind invent? My stomach. Yeah. That hurts.

Yeah, right. You’re a wimp, I thought to myself. Get your carcass out of bed and get ready. Ugh.

I started CrossFit a little over a month ago and it really has changed my life. It has helped me be a better me, even in those moments when I do not want to be a better me: like this morning. It has even given me some balls (and that is big for a girl!).

CrossFit became a New Year’s Resolution for me in October, just after my final hike of the season on the Appalachian Trail. I hiked the first 40 miles of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is all uphill for 4 days. I made it, but it made me realize that I could do much better by the time of my reunion with the trail once the snow melts in the spring.

So here we are.

I got up and went to the box (CrossFit name for gym) for the WOD (workout of the day). Half-way through our 10-minute warm-up I felt much better. Kind of like being on the Appalachian Trail and facing a huge climb… before you start that mountain looks really high. It looks huge. You may even moan and groan; but, once you get started, the mountain looks much smaller.

Once you get started, anything difficult becomes easier as you move forward. Much of what we tell ourselves, “I can’t do it,” is really in our minds, Determination and will are much stronger than any “BS” our minds may tell us.

To my surprise, I made two PR’s (personal records) today. Yeah. Today, on that day I really did not want to go. I actually bench pressed 105 pounds, an improvement of 10 pounds over my previous best (back in my 20’s, and we will NOT even talk about how long ago that was)! I also shoulder pressed 65 pounds (an improvement of 20 pounds over my best, again soooo many years ago).

This is just an example of determination and willpower. What a reward I received for pushing myself. We can all do this: on the trails, in the gym, and in life.

I challenge you, faithful readers, to be the best YOU that you can be. TODAY.  Make your New Year’s Resolutions NOW and then act on them NOW. The pain of change will be a distant memory by January 1^st.  Your reward will be much bigger than you ever imagined, and I am sure, if you push yourself you will also have many PR’s to report to us all!

Any questions about the trail or my personal experiences with CrossFit so far, you can always reach me at Prada@FromTheTrails.com.

Please comment below and share your Be Your Best You Resolutions with the rest of us. You never know who you just might inspire! Happy Trails!!!!

-Prada

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Gang, I have to admit, at first I was hesitant to order the new nPower® PEG. It’s the new personal energy generator that can charge your small electronics on the trail (cell phone, iPod, etc) with energy generated and stored from you simply walking down the trail. The website told me it could  get me off the grid, “Disappear into the woods - the nPower® PEG uses your kinetic energy to keep you in touch with loved ones and ready for emergencies.” (http://www.npowerpeg.com/ ) Hmmmm, I was intrigued. So earlier in the year I got on the waiting list. And I waited.  

It was awhile before I heard back from the company, but let me tell you… the wait made me want it even more. I REALLY wanted this thing that NO ONE could get…I mean you had to go on a waiting list to get this thing! ARGH! I WANTED THE PEG!!!!!!

I was still waiting. I was hooked. I was drooling…I was DREAMING nPower® PEG dreams. The dreams were always the same...I’d get a mysterious knock at the door in the middle of the night and there it would be, life size, and standing in the gloriously blinding glow of newness! Laughing as I write this...What has their marketing done to me!!! (You know you’re laughing too, and if you’re not, you really need to get out and hike more).  

I was so crazy about this thing I felt like the acne-ridden, awkward pre-teen girl who just found out she got back stage passes to see Poison (yes, the 80’s ROCKED!) I ordered the Peg late on a Friday and had it in my excitedly shaking hands by Tuesday. Let’s talk about amazing customer service: they had shipped it off to me within 41 minutes of ordering, and even notified me by email it was on its way. I was really impressed. 

Out of the box it is very simple to use and understand. There is the Peg itself (think the size and shape of the relay baton we all used in phys ed in high school) along with the USB charging cord (to charge it from a computer). They also include a cable and micro-USB to hook to your hand held device to then charge it. I also ordered the extra Apple adaptor tip so I’d be able to charge about anything that might come along. ($11.49 extra). I was pretty happy with this. My only slight disappointment was that I had to add my own connector to be able to plug the USB  into a wall socket. I really wish, for the price of the unit at $169.99, that this had been included. My other ever-so-small wish was that I only had one cord to keep up with instead of two (that would charge-in and charge-out) but I’m really not complaining! 

Everything together weighs just over 14 ounces. At first I cringed at how much weight that seemed to be, but now after using it I’d even trade out a day’s food if I had to just to be able to have it along. The thing is magical. Just knowing I have unlimited power “in my pocket” (of course based on my movements, which on the AT is A LOT) gives me a sense of security on the trail. Many times I hike alone and used to always hurry off the phone when calling home, to save my battery, just in case. Now I can talk at will, lend my phone to others who can’t ever get signal (by the way VERIZON ROCKS!!! Sorry Barfo), text anyone and everyone if I like, and send pictures on demand. I could even charge other people’s phones on the trail, and that feeling of being able to help out was amazing (and could make me adoringly popular!!!)    

The compact size fits just about anywhere in your pack too, slides down in the previously wasted space between all your other gear. I never even noticed it was there. I have to say I’m in love with the thing, 14oz or not, it’s one of the best safety devices I’ve invested in. So in case you were wondering, yes, it’s worth every single cent (not that I wouldn’t be REALLY, REALLY, CRAZY happy if it cost about half as much as it does...but you can’t have everything!!!). So yeah, order it. It’s Trail Tested, Prada Approved!

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Gang! I want to say thank you for following FromTheTrails. FTT hit another milestone today in reaching hikers far and wide: we now have readers in 50 US states but also, now, in 50 COUNTRIES around the world as well.

I am humbled by all of your love and support. Without all of you, FromTheTrails would not exist. Thank you all for allowing me to do what I love: write and talk about hiking and the Appalachian Trail.

I look forward to many more years, meeting many more of you on the trails and on the net. If you enjoy this website, drop  me a line. I'd love to hear from you.

-Prada

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By Prada     Publishing again due to many requests...

Gang, I have to admit, at first I was hesitant to order the new nPower® PEG. It’s the new personal energy generator that can charge your small electronics on the trail (cell phone, iPod, etc) with energy generated and stored from you simply walking down the trail. The website told me it could  get me off the grid, “Disappear into the woods - the nPower® PEG uses your kinetic energy to keep you in touch with loved ones and ready for emergencies.” (http://www.npowerpeg.com/ ) Hmmmm, I was intrigued. So earlier in the year I got on the waiting list. And I waited.   

It was awhile before I heard back from the company, but let me tell you… the wait made me want it even more. I REALLY wanted this thing that NO ONE could get…I mean you had to go on a waiting list to get this thing! ARGH! I WANTED THE PEG!!!!!!

I was still waiting. I was hooked. I was drooling…I was DREAMING nPower® PEG dreams. The dreams were always the same...I’d get a mysterious knock at the door in the middle of the night and there it would be, life size, and standing in the gloriously blinding glow of newness! Laughing as I write this...What has their marketing done to me!!! (You know you’re laughing too, and if you’re not, you really need to get out and hike more).  

I was so crazy about this thing I felt like the acne-ridden, awkward pre-teen girl who just found out she got back stage passes to see Poison (yes, the 80’s ROCKED!) I ordered the Peg late on a Friday and had it in my excitedly shaking hands by Tuesday. Let’s talk about amazing customer service: they had shipped it off to me within 41 minutes of ordering, and even notified me by email it was on its way. I was really impressed. 

Out of the box it is very simple to use and understand. There is the Peg itself (think the size and shape of the relay baton we all used in phys ed in high school) along with the USB charging cord (to charge it from a computer). They also include a cable and micro-USB to hook to your hand held device to then charge it. I also ordered the extra Apple adaptor tip so I’d be able to charge about anything that might come along. ($11.49 extra). I was pretty happy with this. My only slight disappointment was that I had to add my own connector to be able to plug the USB  into a wall socket. I really wish, for the price of the unit at $169.99, that this had been included. My other ever-so-small wish was that I only had one cord to keep up with instead of two (that would charge-in and charge-out) but I’m really not complaining! 

Everything together weighs just over 14 ounces. At first I cringed at how much weight that seemed to be, but now after using it I’d even trade out a day’s food if I had to just to be able to have it along. The thing is magical. Just knowing I have unlimited power “in my pocket” (of course based on my movements, which on the AT is A LOT) gives me a sense of security on the trail. Many times I hike alone and used to always hurry off the phone when calling home, to save my battery, just in case. Now I can talk at will, lend my phone to others who can’t ever get signal (by the way VERIZON ROCKS!!! Sorry Barfo), text anyone and everyone if I like, and send pictures on demand. I could even charge other people’s phones on the trail, and that feeling of being able to help out was amazing (and could make me adoringly popular!!!)    

The compact size fits just about anywhere in your pack too, slides down in the previously wasted space between all your other gear. I never even noticed it was there. I have to say I’m in love with the thing, 14oz or not, it’s one of the best safety devices I’ve invested in. So in case you were wondering, yes, it’s worth every single cent (not that I wouldn’t be REALLY, REALLY, CRAZY happy if it cost about half as much as it does...but you can’t have everything!!!). So yeah, order it. It’s Trail Tested, Prada Approved!

Comments (3)     

The Pros and Cons of Prescription Eyewear Choices for Hiking and Camping

By Carla Prada Akers, as previously seen on  Yahoo! Contributor Network

Are you planning a long-distance hike and confused about taking either your glasses or contacts? I was also; however, through trial and error I finally figured out the best mix for me. Here I will share what I like and dislike about each option, what makes more sense, and show you what ultimately won out.

Should I wear my glasses on the trail?

Glasses are convenient and easy to put on; but, that is about where the positives stop for me when utilizing them for hiking. I love glasses … please do not misunderstand my love of them by my lack of positives here. Originally, I even earned my trail name, "Prada," because every time I hiked I used to wear trendy, purple Prada glasses. Unfortunately, while making a great fashion statement, I find them unusually cumbersome and annoying on the trail. The lenses are constantly fogging up from my sweat, streaked with dirt, or sliding down the sweaty bridge of my nose. I also have a difficult time keeping up with them once in my tent for the night. There never seems to be a good spot to place them either for easy retrieval should there arise the need to investigate a freaky noise or bump in the night.

Glasses Pros:

*Ease of on and off

*Only one item to bring along

*Can sometimes protect the eyes from injury from low hanging tree branches or briars

Glasses Cons:

*Glasses fog up in damp, humid conditions or inclement weather

*Difficult to keep clean with little access to running water

*Constantly moving and sliding around from sweaty skin

*Easy to lose, or accidently sit on, while not wearing them

*Broken glasses are worthless, and when every ounce counts, I am definitely not carrying a spare

Are contacts any better than glasses on the trail?
For me, hundreds of trail miles have solidly proven that contacts are indeed a better option. I used to wear the traditional lenses that needed to come out each night before bed. These lenses were an immediate improvement over my glasses on the trail, but I found it extremely difficult to put them back in each morning in a less than sterile wilderness environment. The scenario, while better, still lacked the perfection I desired.

My optometrist, Dr. John Derickson of Derickson Vision Consultants in Jacksonville, Fl, recommended I try extended wear contacts and was excited for me to try them.

"New technology in oxygen permeable lenses has brought great convenience to contact wearers with active lifestyles and reassurance to their eye doctors when prescribing them for continuous wear." Dr. Derickson shared with me.

When I told him I had been leaving my glasses at home these days Dr. Derickson cautioned, "Contact wearers with significant prescription powers should always pack their glasses. You never know when you may lose a lens or get something in your eye that makes it unsafe to wear the contacts. From the wildlife experiences that I've had, I wouldn't want to be caught on a mountain unable to see clearly!"

Ok, so we might need to bring back-ups, but basically, these are lenses that can be worn continuously for up to 30 days by allowing more air to get through to your eyes. After using them for several months, I am now in love with these lenses; however, if you have sensitive eyes like I do, it may take some time to get used to them. I would recommend getting your prescription at least a few weeks before your trip. I had to work up to wearing mine for about a month before I could really wear them for days on end without them bugging me.

Extended Wear Contacts Pros:

*Extended wear lenses allow up to 30 days constant wear

*Better range of vision, no blind spots from glasses frames

*Not affected by weather changes

*Easy to nap in, no issues with dry eye afterwards

*No need to take out daily, less risk of eye infection from dirty trail fingers

*Can see immediately upon waking, even in the middle of the night

*Fewer back-up supplies to bring

Extended Wear Contacts Cons:

*Possible long break-in period to get used to them

The Final Verdict: What wins out?

Contacts win by a large margin in my opinion. While I am still not wearing my extended wear lenses for more than a week or so straight at a time, the convenience on the trail has thrilled me far beyond my initial expectations. These lenses are now an essential part of my hiking gear as important to me as food and shelter. Deep in the wilderness, it sure gives me an added sense of freedom and security to now have one less thing to worry about. I will never go back to my glasses for the trail, instead saving them for fashion statements back home, where air conditioned comfort make them much easier to show in a positive light.

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Drought Heightens Summer Hike Risks

Carla Prada Akers, As previously seen on the Yahoo! Contributor Network

FIRST PERSON | WESSER, N.C. -- My water bottles were empty, and as I looked down into a bare, dust-filled spring, I quickly found myself in serious trouble. The 100-degree temperatures were still rising and had already pushed me dangerously close to the limits of my physical abilities. Terrifyingly, 127.5 miles into my Appalachian Trail hike this July, the water hole I really needed had gone dry.

Drought Conditions at Severe/Extreme Ratings

Lack of water on parts of the 2,184-mile footpath from Georgia to Maine is not a totally new circumstance for me or other hikers, as each summer water sources tend to be more difficult to find; however, this year is much worse. The National Climatic Data Center's current report for the Wesser area lists drought conditions at the worst possible level with "severe" and "extreme" ratings. Even a few miles without water on a mountain trail can be devastating, especially when temperatures routinely climb above 100 degrees, and daily elevation changes of 1,000 feet or more challenge even the fittest and well prepared of hikers.

Trail Talk: Have You Seen Any Water?

When hiking on long distance trails other hikers, and the information they have about what lies ahead, can be lifesaving. This trip was no exception. Like me, every other hiker I met had concerns about the reliability of upcoming water sources. It seemed like the nervous center of every conversation. This year, we all feel the added pressures of carrying additional water on the trails. Adding two or three emergency liters to my backpack means four to six extra pounds on my back. Carrying this extra weight, in an already 30-pound pack, has a tendency to make me even thirstier. The solution to the problem just creates more problems.

Trail Angels Saving the Day

Ron Brown, who runs a shuttle service for hikers in Georgia and North Carolina, has put in extra time this year to make sure everyone is continually aware of the conditions on the trails.

"I was out at Yellow Creek Gap last weekend handing out bottled water," Brown told me. "I've started carrying it in my vehicle all the time just in case. The water supply is bad out there right now."

Fortunately, trail angels like Brown are responding to the crisis and are out in droves, leaving water at road crossings and in one example I saw, even thoughtfully carrying bottles long distances up the trail to leave them in the most needed places for thirsty, desperate hikers.

Be Prepared with Extra Provisions

I was fortunate on my hike to have found water about two miles further up the trail that day, but things could have turned out very differently. Drought conditions and unexpected dry springs on the Appalachian Trail have definitely made it more difficult to anticipate where to resupply this year but overall, it is not keeping me, or anyone else, off the trail completely. Properly prepare if you plan to head out on the trails any time soon though. Be sure to verify the availability of resources ahead of time from the comfort of your own home (or at least in the vicinity of running water).

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy website is a helpful and current resource for existing trail conditions, updates, and advisories such as water availability, trail closures, and recent bear activity. You can visit them here: http://www.appalachiantrail.org/

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When I lost my first toenail in March I took a picture of it. Not just any random snapshot either; a real, honest to goodness staged portrait. I felt like I had just hit the lottery.    

   Beaming with selfish pride and excitement, I searched my mind feverishly for someone to tell. My smile was quickly overtaken by that sideways, uninterested smirk that I always make when I’m aggravated.   

   No one I had in my everyday circle would understand. 

   Long distance hikers know, or learn, that to lose a toenail means a few important things- maybe it’s that your boots are too small… but mostly it means that you really just did something. You hiked. You hiked A LOT. You just hit psychological pay-dirt. 

   I’ve always been the kind of person who has validated myself by the amount of physical pain or fear I could endure. If it’s physically strenuous, more than most people are willing to take, or really darn scary… it’s probably for me. A lot of you, that I have met on the trail, tell me similar tales… 

   It makes me wonder. 

   What are we all searching for exactly? Why does losing a toenail (or three) feel like a celebratory rite of passage? Why do we all want more? 

   I search for answers. Every time I leave our beloved trail at the end of a hike, it’s in the same posture and frame of mind: neck straining, looking back over my shoulder- bittersweet as I drive away. Like a child with their face and hands pressed to the back glass, staring wide-eyed, intently concentrating on that which he or she truly loves. Funny, no matter how great or difficult the hike just was, no matter how many times I asked myself, “what the heck was I thinking?!” before I’m even into 3^rd gear I’m already scanning my mental calendar for dates I can return. 

   The trail will do that to you. 

   I now know that this is why the trail feels so full of life. For those that love the trail as much as you and I, we all seem to leave a part of our souls behind each time to hold our place and anxiously await our return. You are calling to yourself, come back. You NEED TO COME BACK. 

   Through the sweat of miles, I’ve also come to realize that friendships are many times stronger on the trail. You feel closer to the people you meet there because they are the few, the chosen few, who get you. They understand. The best part is that they can also answer your “just lost another toenail” news with excited words like, “That’s TOTALLY AWESOME,” “Holy crap, ME TOO,” and the best one….. “You did get pics didn’t you???” 

   And that’s why, right now you’re laughing. Pretty loudly. People around you think you’ve gone nuts. 

   You laugh because you understand. 

   You really do. 

-Prada 

    -Prada has since gone on to successfully  lose two more toenails in her ultimate quest for Mt Katahdin. She still  lives way too far from the trail  in Jacksonville, Fl with her toenails, two dogs, and 6 used backpacks. You can contact her at Prada@FromTheTrails.com

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How fitting that tomorrow (May 25, 2012) is “National Don’t Fry Day” when this week’s topic is all about sunscreen!!! Mountain Goat and I both had a skin cancer scare this past week that has prompted me to write you all about protecting your skin in the outdoors.   

Sunscreen is a “must have” in your gear list. Even if we’re in the “green tunnel” on the trail we are still getting exposure. We also sweat while hiking so remember that sunscreen needs to be reapplied at least every two hours. Skincancerprevention.org has a really catchy slogan: “Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap! when you're outdoors. Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, slap on a hat, and wrap on sunglasses.” How cute is that! 

Cute or not, it’s a serious topic. I had been trying to get Mountain Goat to see a dermatologist for quite some time to check out a spot on his forehead. Of course, he wouldn’t go. Finally I went first to show him it was no big deal. My dermatologist told me that some skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to the sun and many can be prevented! Then I heard his tone change as he said, “Oh…what so we have here?” Imagine my surprise when I had to have not one but two biopsies done on the spot!!!  

We ended up both having biopsies in the same week. Talk about a reality check! So I decided it must be a sign that I’m supposed to tell EVERYONE I MEET to go and have a skin cancer exam. Hear me loud and clear: PLEASE GO!!!! YOU NEVER KNOW!!!!

Visit: http://www.skincancerprevention.org/ for more information on taking care of your skin!!!

Happy Trails! Hope to see some of you out there this weekend!!

-Prada

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   Having personally been a victim of dealing with heel pain on the trail, the next installment in our “Feet” series is about how to hopefully “Heel” your pain before it takes you out of the game with some preventative tips. You always want to consult your doctor if you are currently experiencing pain of any type. This article is aimed more at keeping foot pain problems from happening in the first place, if at all possible.

   I can’t stress enough the need to properly condition the muscles in your feet PRIOR to hitting the trail. I really also believe that most of us (myself included) believe we are (or were) already prepared and didn’t need to do much to prep our feet. Speaking from experience, I can tell you, very few of us are really ready. If you join us, the Shakedown Hike in September can partially help you measure your effectiveness of preparations. It can show you, like it did us back in the day, that there is much more work to be done. LOL.

   One common cause for heel pain comes from the irritation and inflammation of the tissue that makes up (and/or supports) the arch of the foot. When your feet aren’t ready for the extreme physical challenge of the trail, the extra weight constantly pushing down on your arches, and long, confining, sweaty days this is one way they complain. Feet have really BIG AND LOUD mouths too, so don’t think for a minute you will be able to hear anything once they get started with their complaints! This sensitive tissue also has a tendency to “draw up” and get tight when over-stressed. This tightness puts added pressure on the place where this tissue joins the heel bone. This causes painful sensations that you will definitely notice upon standing or resuming hiking after pausing for a bit.

    I noticed this pain the second day in my first multi-day hike. It seemed to get better once I got moving, but I knew it was a sign of something not quite right. This type of pain is many times called Plantar fasciitis or the warning signs thereof. Again, if you are currently experiencing pain in your feet it’s best to see your doctor to determine what is going on. If you are pain free, exercises and stretching may help to keep you that way.

   One of my favorite stretches can help keep the tissue in your feet soft and limber. It actually keeps my pain away if I remember to do it every day. It’s great too if you can do it before you get out of bed in the morning (or out of your sleeping bag on the trail). You can do it seated in a chair or on the ground, but for sake of our example let’s say you’re sitting in a chair. Bring your left foot up and place it on top of your right thigh where you can reach it. Grab your left big toe with your left hand and pull it gently towards your shin, starting very gently until you feel the stretch in the bottom of your foot. Once you feel the stretch, use your left thumb to put slight, massaging pressure on the tissues (the plantar fascia) running along the bottom of your foot. Repeat this exercise a few times, for about a minute each time, on both feet morning and night. I do this religiously every day and believe this to have helped immensely with my previous pain. Mountain Goat follows this sequence as well and he’s not had a bit of heel pain at all.

   Any questions about this please comment or email me at Prada@FromTheTrails.com. Join us again soon for the next installment in our “Feet” series where we will discuss insoles and inserts and an exercise you can do at home to help strengthen your arches. Until then, Happy Trails!

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 By Prada

   Today we continue our series on feet and how to take great care of them on and off the trail. Yesterday we learned about how to properly prepare our feet BEFORE we put on our boots. If you missed that article, make sure to check it out and get caught up. Now we’re going to talk about what to do (and an amazing product to use) once you have a hot spot or a blister you need to tend to on the trail.

   We can usually feel them before they start: BLISTERS! Yikes!!! They often start as a “hot spot” for me that I can feel long before the traditional fluid filled blister appears. If you feel a hot spot forming: JUST STOP. I know that’s hard sometimes. I’ve been there myself…wanting to keep going, make good time, keep up with someone, not want to slow down the group, etc. Trust me though: just stop. If you catch them early it’ll be worth your time and you’ll actually be able to do more miles with less pain in the long run.

     You probably won’t have many hot spots if you prepare using Hydropel (as we discussed in yesterdays installment ); however, if you do, you might be able to ward off a blister before it starts if you remove your sock and examine what is causing the issue. Treating a hot spot is sometimes as easy as adjusting your socks or laces.

   If the problem can’t be “adjusted”, clean the area with an alcohol pad and let dry. The alcohol will remove the Hydropel in that spot and allow the Glacier Gel pad to stick to the area. I’ve learned from personal experience that NOTHING will stick to an area that’s covered in Hydropel, so you’ll always need to make sure you clean it off before trying to apply any dressings of any kind. One that’s done we’re going to apply a Glacier Gel pad to the hot spot. This product is similar to a bandaid but the “pad” part is made of a “patented second-generation hydrogel technology” that is made from 50% water. So not only does it cushion the area, it also cools it and soothes it with the hydrogel. I call it my Hyrdo-Magic! (Trail Magic…Hydro-Magic…get it???) Anyway….My personal experience with this product makes me believe that it also speeds the body’s ability to heal itself somehow. These pads are simply like little miracles to me, taking away the pain instantly any time I need to use them.

   Glacier Gel pads have tabs to pull off both sides (not just one side like bandaids) so you will want to make sure to look carefully at the pad and verify which side to remove first. This will be the part you place against your skin. Once it’s in place you can then remove the outer tabs. They will mold to any shape, and even with heavy duty AT hiking, they usually stay in place all day for me on the trail.

   Ok, so you didn’t really want to tell me but you waited too long and now you have a BIG OL BLISTER! No big deal. The same product works miracles after the fact as well. Pull out a safety pin from your first aid kit. Clean and sterilize it. I usually use an alcohol pad or a lighter. There are differing opinions out there on whether to pop a blister or leave it alone. Your doctor can best answer this question based on your personal levels of general health; however, I know that at least for me, it’s always better to carefully pop it with a sterilized needle. I find I just can’t hike without doing that. Once I pop the blister, drain the fluid, and wipe the area clean with an alcohol pad I apply the same Glacier Gel pad to the area, put my socks and boots back on, and away I go!

   Through hundreds and hundreds of miles my feet have become tougher and less likely to blister, but even at that I know I’m never immune. It still happens from time to time. Yours will harden off after awhile too and you may be able to use other methods at that point. I personally have never found duct tape to really work too well for me, so I always keep Glacier Gel pads in my first aid kit on every hike. It’s amazing how many people have never heard of them before. I’ve helped fix many a blister out there on the trails and introduced numerous hikers, and hopefully you also, to this amazing product.

   In coming days check out the next installment in the Feet series: stretching and avoiding heel pain. Until then, Happy trails!

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