[pct-l] Poison oak

[Susan Alcorn]

I do get poison oak occasionally, but I never have gotten it on the PCT. It is there, but if you know what it looks like, it is generally pretty easily avoided. When we were going through the northern California areas where I thought we might have a problem, I decided I needed some Calamine lotion. The only container I could find at whatever mini-mart we were near was an 8-ounce bottle of the stuff--so much for lightweight backpacking! I think it was finally at Crater Lake that I left it behind in the Hiker Box--unopened.

The few times I've thought I might have bumped into poison oak, I have rubbed the spot with a bit of dirt, figuring the abrasive action would help. Not sure I should recommend this (certainly not on an open area), but it might have worked for me. I think I've heard in times past that the Native Americans would rub themselves with mud as a protection, but I'd have to double-check on that. Some people, of course, have a natural immunity to the stuff. 

Susan Alcorn, "Backpack45"