[pct-l] The Desert

[Mike Chapman]

I would like to add that there are 3 types of salt your body really
needs,I advise a supplement called ambertose,its very costly,but
athletes and celebritys and even cancer patients use it.

On 1/7/11, Kevin <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:
> Good point!
>
> I technically live in the desert. I have about a foot of snow left on my
> lawn from a storm a couple weeks ago and there is a slight chance of more
> this weekend.
>
> So the desert is very different at different elevations. My desert just
> happens to be at 7000 feet. :)
>
> Misspellings and typos brought to you by iPhone.
>
> On Jan 7, 2011, at 11:47 PM, jason moores <jmmoores at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> Piper,
>>
>> This was an excellent addition to the desert thread. I agree
>> wholeheartedly with your points about salty foods and over-hydrating.
>>
>> I also agree that it seems almost silly to call the trail route a "desert"
>> hike. The majority of the time the trail stays above 4,000 feet and in the
>> mountains, which is what we would normally call high desert. As I am sure
>> that you know (but for the benefit of those who don't), the term desert
>> does not equate to the mental image that most picture when they hear the
>> term-endless sand dunes. Desert refers to the amount of precipitation that
>> falls in the region. I have no idea whether or not So.Cal is officially a
>> desert, but it sure as hell is hot and dry.
>>
>> In '09 I hiked with an Israeli named Ido who could often could be heard
>> scoffing,"desert? You Americans have no idea what a desert is really
>> like". Ido probably had a point.
>>
>> Jackass
>>
>>
>>
>>> From: diane at santabarbarahikes.com
>>> Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2011 15:26:11 -0800
>>> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] The Desert
>>>
>>> Jackass,
>>> Good info you have shared!
>>>
>>> I have lived in So Cal all my life so most of my hiking experience
>>> has been in the so-called "desert". I happen to not believe most of
>>> what people hike through on the PCT in So Cal is desert, but then
>>> hardly anybody will agree with me so I don't bother trying to
>>> convince anybody anymore.
>>>
>>> Anyway, one thing I notice is that a lot of people get hyponatremia,
>>> which is when they drink too much water and get their electrolytes
>>> all out of whack. Then they start powering down cliff bars because
>>> they feel a lack of energy. Then drink more water because they are so
>>> thirsty and it's hot. They spiral out of control and get real sick
>>> and have to leave the trail.
>>>
>>> My advice is to carry salty food. Don't eat cliff bars when you feel
>>> a lack of energy. Eat some Fritos or salty nuts or something. The
>>> nice thing about salty food is you have a built-in ability to self-
>>> regulate your salt content eating salty food (as opposed to taking
>>> supplements.) If you've had enough, you won't eat any more.
>>>
>>> So bring the high-tech supplements and drinks if you want, but also
>>> tuck in some ordinary salty snacks. They will help a lot.
>>>
>>> And on the topic of blisters. Don't feel too bad if you get blisters.
>>> I trained. I am used to the environment. I don't get a lot of
>>> blisters normally. I hit the trail in good shape. I got terrible
>>> blisters. Took me 700 miles before they finally went away. I don't
>>> know what is different about the PCT vs say the Sespe or San Rafael
>>> Wilderness, but something must be. I'm pretty sure part of what is
>>> different is the level grade and smooth tread of the PCT. It's a
>>> repetitive motion injury machine.
>>>
>>> I've written about this before. What happens is you get a little
>>> blister or hot spot or something and so unconsciously you favor the
>>> hurt side. The trail will make you walk for 10 miles in a row on one
>>> side of a mountain with the trail leaning outward to one side. For 10
>>> miles. Then switch to the other side for 10 more miles. If ever there
>>> was a tool to give someone massive blisters on their little toes,
>>> this is it.
>>>
>>> Now you've got these massive blisters, you are favoring one side of
>>> your body a little bit, and the level trail goes on and on
>>> relentlessly, pounding it into you until the next thing you know,
>>> your knees are killing you. Or maybe your hip or your back. It has
>>> nothing to do with your knees, your hip or back, it has to do with
>>> the slight limp you developed from something in your feet. Pretty
>>> soon you are nursing some serious shin splints or some other painful
>>> problem and are thinking about getting off the trail.
>>>
>>> Take care of those foot problems as soon as you can. If you get other
>>> problems further up your body, take some time to care for your feet.
>>> Slow down if you have to. Change your shoes around. Carry spare shoes
>>> if you have to so you can have a change during the day. I hiked
>>> wearing Crocs and Flip-flops sometimes. The trail is actually not so
>>> rugged this can't be done.
>>>
>>> Good luck everybody. You will find many things to like about the
>>> "desert" if you keep an open mind. No mosquitoes is one of them!
>>>
>>> Diane
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>>
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