[pct-l] Jumping Cholla!

[Alphabetsoup]

I was out doing a conditioning hike today and thought about a little known
native plant that thrives in various places throughout the Anza-borrego
desert section of the PCT. the Cholla Cactus...*Pronounced (choy ya)* For
those of you who have never seen one, or experienced their potentially
painful wrath I offer you a little information...

The wind blows little round balls of thorns off of the main plant, the
thorns have many tiny fish hook like protrusions that you cannot see, but
You will feel them, as it can take a pair of pliers to get those things out
of your skin, shoes, gear and clothes.

All one needs to do is brush up against the plant, or be downwind of a
cholla cactus during a gust of wind and you've got yourself a new friend!

Don't Panic...*Do not* try to use your hands or anything soft like gloves...
*DO *get out your comb and work it off yourself...Be sure to turn away from
your fellow hikers so your not removing it in the direction of anyone
else...you and your friends will find our why they call them "Jumping
Cholla"

If your not carrying a comb, this is one reason to do so...

ymmv,imho,hyoh...and all that jazz

-- 
*Alphabetsoup*
*~Soon to be PCT Thru-Hiker April 2011~*
* www.postholer.com/alphabetsoup*
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