For the question regarding diabetic medications... I am not an expert on the subject, but used to work as a medical assistant prior to going back to school. Some suggestions I can think of if you are using any sharps (insulin or for glucose testing) is to store sharps in an old plastic water bottle, preferably something with thicker plastic. When you get into town you can dispose of the sharps. Most bathrooms have a sharps containers now, but I am not sure about on the trail. If you take the used sharps to any pharmacy or clinic they should dispose into biohazard for free. Now, I am not sure how you would keep these meds cold, if that is what the manufacturers instructions are. However, many meds have a shelf life at room temp for 28 days. You can always check the package insert or speak with the pharmacist. I would suggest carrying alcohol preps, to clean with. You can get these individually packaged so fairly light weight. Also carry glucose tabs in your first aid kit, just in case. I recommend wearing your diabetic bracelet as well, so others around you know. You are probably already on the trail, but I hope this helps!
Great diabetes question. One thing not mentioned is that doses on insulin AND other diabetic medications may need to be decreased after spending some time on the trail. Be sure to have emergency glucose, blood sugar monitor (rather than simply maintaining current med regimen without monitoring, hopefully that's a no-brainer), and be prepared to decrease. Please pack out sharps rather than using a trash can! Find a real sharps disposal (increasingly common in bathrooms). I'm going through your Q and A in hopes of finding my medical condition discussed- we'll see!
Sunglasses: What do you do on bright sunny days? As a fellow glasses wearer… I've grown tired of carrying clips… Taking them on and off... I've given up & just deal...what do you do?
gary modine If you have your prescription, you can order glasses from Zenni Optical online. I bought my regular glasses for around $20-25 and my sunglasses for $60, but you can get cheaper ones from around $20. I've had them for a year and wear them very frequently. Whenever I hike, I just carry a hard glasses case and switch them out when needed.
for the diabetic guy, I met a diabetic on the trail once. Instead of a sharps container, he would pick up a small piece of wood or twig to cap his needle and keep in a Ziploc to keep his weight down.
For the diabetic question: As far as I remember from my ex's diabetes management, if you're dealing with needles, you have to use a sealable bottle like an old drink bottle (emptied out and ideally opaque or non-translucent). Once full of needles, you can label, seal with cover, and throw out with regular trash.
FYI, regarding bugs. The last time I deployed to Africa was in 2012. AFRICOM's required procedures for preventing malaria infection from mosquito bites was: 1. Treat all clothes with permethrin. 2. Wear long pants and sleeves. 3. Treat all exposed skin with deet solution (they issued us Sawyer brand lotion). Other than that, about all you can do is get a bug net to protect your head, and make sure your shelter is one with full netting (tent or hammock with a net, not just a tarp). I should also say that they did have us take a malaria prophylaxis medication (there are a couple different types), but that's unnecessary in the US since you're not worried about malaria - just bugs.
I've watched a lot of Christine Machados videos and she lives and hikes in the Southern California area and has a video on Joshua Tree. Her videos are visually stunning.
The gentleman asking about diabetics on the trail should google "the unlikely hiker" He is a type 1 diabetic and did the whole AT last season. He is a writer, has a blog, and I believe is in the process of putting together a book. His trail name is "exo"
Thank you. I am also a type 1 and having some specifically tailored information for diabetics is incredibly useful. Our bodies have different requirements and present us with some slightly different concerns.
good luck with the job at Joshua Tree! There are so many places that would be happy to hire you guys out here! I be even REI would love to have you! Trust me, you won't have any problem finding work out here in CA. The Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are always looking for people as well.
BTW, I assume you've been following the snow reports out of Cali. Good choice to stay off the trail this year! Looking forward to seeing how the camper shapes up. Are you planning to replace the siding or remount the vintage stuff?
Oh, wait, you're a veteran too, aren't you? You have a chance! Good luck, man. My best to you. Love your videos! You've given me a number of ideas and pieces of advice that I've used already getting my gear together :-)
Insect Shield will now treat your clothes with Permethrin. The process makes it last 70 washes. I just received mine back for the AT thru hike.
Nice! That's a hell of along time. Totally worth it i'm sure. Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
Yup, a buddy of mine did this in 2015 and said the treatment lasted the entire length of his thru hike.
I used only Badger Balm for bugs and was fine. Felt good to put on and isn't toxic.
For the question regarding diabetic medications... I am not an expert on the subject, but used to work as a medical assistant prior to going back to school. Some suggestions I can think of if you are using any sharps (insulin or for glucose testing) is to store sharps in an old plastic water bottle, preferably something with thicker plastic. When you get into town you can dispose of the sharps. Most bathrooms have a sharps containers now, but I am not sure about on the trail. If you take the used sharps to any pharmacy or clinic they should dispose into biohazard for free. Now, I am not sure how you would keep these meds cold, if that is what the manufacturers instructions are. However, many meds have a shelf life at room temp for 28 days. You can always check the package insert or speak with the pharmacist. I would suggest carrying alcohol preps, to clean with. You can get these individually packaged so fairly light weight. Also carry glucose tabs in your first aid kit, just in case. I recommend wearing your diabetic bracelet as well, so others around you know. You are probably already on the trail, but I hope this helps!
Were you using Permethrin when you picked up Lyme disease in PA?
In Missouri, we zip tie a Dixie cup to our hats with KY on it to take care of biting flies.
Great diabetes question. One thing not mentioned is that doses on insulin AND other diabetic medications may need to be decreased after spending some time on the trail. Be sure to have emergency glucose, blood sugar monitor (rather than simply maintaining current med regimen without monitoring, hopefully that's a no-brainer), and be prepared to decrease. Please pack out sharps rather than using a trash can! Find a real sharps disposal (increasingly common in bathrooms).
I'm going through your Q and A in hopes of finding my medical condition discussed- we'll see!
Thanks for the update and Ride on brotha 👍💥
You got it!
Ride On,
Darwin
Sunglasses: What do you do on bright sunny days? As a fellow glasses wearer… I've grown tired of carrying clips… Taking them on and off... I've given up & just deal...what do you do?
gary modine If you have your prescription, you can order glasses from Zenni Optical online. I bought my regular glasses for around $20-25 and my sunglasses for $60, but you can get cheaper ones from around $20. I've had them for a year and wear them very frequently. Whenever I hike, I just carry a hard glasses case and switch them out when needed.
for the diabetic guy, I met a diabetic on the trail once. Instead of a sharps container, he would pick up a small piece of wood or twig to cap his needle and keep in a Ziploc to keep his weight down.
For the diabetic question: As far as I remember from my ex's diabetes management, if you're dealing with needles, you have to use a sealable bottle like an old drink bottle (emptied out and ideally opaque or non-translucent). Once full of needles, you can label, seal with cover, and throw out with regular trash.
FYI, regarding bugs. The last time I deployed to Africa was in 2012. AFRICOM's required procedures for preventing malaria infection from mosquito bites was: 1. Treat all clothes with permethrin. 2. Wear long pants and sleeves. 3. Treat all exposed skin with deet solution (they issued us Sawyer brand lotion). Other than that, about all you can do is get a bug net to protect your head, and make sure your shelter is one with full netting (tent or hammock with a net, not just a tarp). I should also say that they did have us take a malaria prophylaxis medication (there are a couple different types), but that's unnecessary in the US since you're not worried about malaria - just bugs.
I've watched a lot of Christine Machados videos and she lives and hikes in the Southern California area and has a video on Joshua Tree. Her videos are visually stunning.
new at hiking, and I live in NH, not the easiest place to start, I live an hour from white mtns. will keep ya posted if u would like
eric judd Check out syntax77 on UA-cam. He lives up that way and hikes the White Mountains a few times a year, I believe.
The gentleman asking about diabetics on the trail should google "the unlikely hiker" He is a type 1 diabetic and did the whole AT last season. He is a writer, has a blog, and I believe is in the process of putting together a book. His trail name is "exo"
Nice! Great Info Man! Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
My girlfriend and I are looking to thru hike the AT and she's type 1 so I will definitely be looking into this. Thank you so much.
Thank you. I am also a type 1 and having some specifically tailored information for diabetics is incredibly useful. Our bodies have different requirements and present us with some slightly different concerns.
good luck with the job at Joshua Tree! There are so many places that would be happy to hire you guys out here! I be even REI would love to have you! Trust me, you won't have any problem finding work out here in CA. The Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are always looking for people as well.
BTW, I assume you've been following the snow reports out of Cali. Good choice to stay off the trail this year! Looking forward to seeing how the camper shapes up. Are you planning to replace the siding or remount the vintage stuff?
I am looking for a 11 lb...gear list for a round the World bikepacking tour....can you help me?
Friar Rodney Burnap Check out syntax77 he's an ultralight backpacker
I have two questions if you had to settle down somewhere where would it be and have you ever been to Steamboat Colorado.
have you and "Snuggles" ever done any winter camping in the snow?
I'm a from Michigan and we're just about done with it all for the year.
hey man loved the trailer video.
Thanks Big Jim, it's coming along! Thanks for Watching!
Hike On,
Darwin
Do you have any thoughts concerning hammock camping vs tenting?
To anyone wondering about glasses: LASIK. I got it 15 years ago, and am 36 now. Best investment of my life.
I can't believe I ate the whole thing!
Hey, Your stickers came in Monday. Thank you.
No Problem good Sir!
Hike On,
Darwin
I want a job with the Forest Service or BLM too, but there's currently a hiring freeze.
Oh, wait, you're a veteran too, aren't you? You have a chance! Good luck, man. My best to you. Love your videos! You've given me a number of ideas and pieces of advice that I've used already getting my gear together :-)