[pct-l] Western States 100 run cancled+health hazard to thrus?

[taterno at cox.net]

Ned,
The following excerpt from the NWS Air Atagnation Advisory should summarize the health risks (this advisory applies to the area from Yosemite to Kings Canyon, and beyond).

"OFFICIALS ARE URGING RESIDENTS TO LIMIT THEIR EXPOSURE IN AREAS
WHERE THEY CAN SEE OR SMELL SMOKE. EXPOSURE TO PARTICULATE MATTER
CAN CAUSE SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS...AGGRAVATE LUNG DISEASE...CAUSE
ASTHMA ATTACKS OR ACUTE BRONCHITIS AND INCREASE RISK OF RESPIRATORY
INFECTIONS. OZONE CAN ALSO EXACERBATE ASTHMA AND DAMAGE LUNG TISSUE.

"RESIDENTS ARE ADVISED TO USE CAUTION. PEOPLE WITH HEART OR LUNG
DISEASE SHOULD FOLLOW ADVICE FROM THEIR DOCTORS FOR DEALING WITH
EPISODES OF UNHEALTHY AIR QUALITY. ADDITIONALLY...OLDER ADULTS
AND CHILDREN SHOULD AVOID PROLONGED EXPOSURE...STRENUOUS
ACTIVITIES OR HEAVY EXERTION."

I can tell you from first hand experience from the 2007 fires in San Diego county, that even without the physical exertion of hiking, my lungs hurt when taking a deep breath, and I have healthy lungs.  That is the first sign that you are hurting your lungs.  

Listen to your body, and do what is necessary, even if it means skipping ahead to a smoke-free trail.  You can always come back and finish these sections in the late summer.

Tom KI6ASP
The Incredible Bulk


---- Ned Tibbits <ned at mountaineducation.com> wrote: 

=============
Can anyone on this List determine for those hikers out on the trail under 
all this smoke whether or not hiking this year in the affected areas will be 
hazardous to their health?

With the Western States 100 outright cancelled due to health concerns, among 
others, are our thrus in any respiratory danger out there?

Should they be hiking with some sort of wet bandanas over their faces?

Mtnned

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Magnanti" <pmags at yahoo.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 10:43 AM
Subject: [pct-l] NoCal Fires - Western States 100 run cancled


> Speaking of fires, looks like the Western States ultra has been canceled. 
> It goes in the same *general* area of the PCT.
>
> The link has photos of the Lake Tahoe area and shows how smoky everything 
> has become. :O
>
> http://www.ws100.com/latestnews.htm
>
>
> ************************************************************
> The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust
> caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
> --Thoreau
> http://www.pmags.com
>
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