[pct-l] Minimalist Shoes, Poison Oak, And Dezi Donally

[Scott Williams]

In regards to poison oak, it is a relatively light oil but many of us are
terribly allergic to it.  If you get into a bunch on trail, and all thru
hikers will, wash the contact area in the first water you come to, even
with no soap, and you have a good chance of not getting it.  You'll be
filthy and your natural oils are a good barrier, that's part of the reason
we have oily skin.
Several weeks ago while shrooming in the Sierra foothills and bushwacking
in dense brush when I got wacked really hard in the face by several PO
branches.  Hard enough to leave a scratch.  I thought I was dead meat, as I
get it bad and know it in all seasons.  But, I came upon a small stream
within 10 minutes or so, washed really well with no soap and was fine.  No
rash.  When mushrooming I've often taken a midwinter bath in a stream and
not gotten it after crawling through it.  So, soap or no, wash as soon as
you come I contact with it.  On much of the PCT you won't have the luxury
of a well placed stream, but if you do you may save yourself the rash.
Henry Coe is wonderful right now great choice for a hike.

Shroomer
On Feb 23, 2012 3:03 PM, "John Coyle" <jcoyle at sanjuan.edu> wrote:

> They may not be minimalist shoes but I want to give a shout out for the
> Montrail Rockridge trail runners.  I bought a pair from Amazon and liked
> them so well I immediately bought a second pair.  When I bought them they
> were $49.99, but the price has gone up to 65.99 today, which is still
> cheaper than the $90 something list price.  The thing I most like about
> them is the traction on dirt and rock trails.  I have a feeling they may
> not be the best on wet or slick granite, judging from the tread pattern
> though.  In other words, pick something else for Half Dome. They are
> particularly good for mild supinators like me or those that typically wear
> out the outside edge of the heel first.  Get 1/2 size larger than your
> street size shoes.
>
> Also spent President's day backpacking at Henry Coe State Park near Morgan
> Hill just south of San Jose.  Tried the new Neoair All Season air mattress.
>  It really does seem to be a lot warmer that the regular Neoair.  I got
> into some Poison Oak unfortunately and it's all over my face and everything
> I touched with my hands.  There were no Poison Oak leaves present, so I
> came in contact with a bare bush somewhere along the way.  I must have
> touched it shortly before I urinated, get the picture?  Oh well, two weeks
> of misery.
>
> Finally since St. Patrick's day is drawing nearer, I give you a this music
> youtube.  What could be more Irish than two Irish guys sitting in an Irish
> Pub playing a couple of Irish tunes.  Dezi Donally closes he eyes and
> transport himself to another part of the universe as he plays.  I like the
> part at the end where he barks like a dog.
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DHCvUlAQ_E
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
> Reproduction is is prohibited without express permission.
>