[pct-l] Mosquito Report

[judson at jeffnet.org (Judson Brown)]

Thanks for making me laugh! Yeah, the skeeters in the 3 Sisters make you
either a) develop a zen-like calm and soldier on, or b) flip out and run
screaming for the nearest lake or trailhead. I once counted more than 30
only on the back of my left hand near Mink Lake.

Judson
Ashland

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net]On Behalf Of
waynekraft@verizon.net
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2004 12:56 PM
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Mosquito Report


I day hiked a bit last week in the south end of Three Sisters Wilderness out
of Elk Lake and encountered mosquitos like I have never seen before. I
slathered my arms & legs with 100% DEET. I put it on the front and backs of
my hands, all over my face and neck and under my eyelids. I gargled with it
and made DEET margaritas. It helped a little. I thought maybe it was just
me, but then I got an email from folks who do trail maintenance every year
for a trail ultramarathon near the PCT/Hwy 58 crossing. They aver that the
mosquitos thereabouts are worse than they've been at this time of year for
the last 20 years.

I have been analyzing this mosquito infestation and I think it is a
human-caused problem.  These mosquitos have clearly become habituated.  The
presence of thin-hided human hikers in their habitat has caused them to
abandon their natural large mammal blood suppliers and attack hikers
instead.  I propose that the USFS require all hikers in these areas to drain
their bodily fluids into a Garcia Blood Cannister that is completely
mosquito proof and may be carried in the backpack until well clear of
mosquito country. Although this will add some weight to the ultra-light
backpacker's gear list (not to mention the inherent problems involved in
bloodless long distance hiking), but in the long run it will be worth it if
the mosquitos go back to attacking bears and deer and marmots and such and
lay off the hikers.

Just a suggestion.

Wayne Kraft

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