Thanks for sharing the journey!!! I was hoping you guys would make it through the Smokys with no virus. Just so you know the Norovirus has been running rampant on the trail since February. Personal hygiene is paramount until you get to VA. The way it works is an infected person touches something then you touch it and eat or drink. It can take up to 2 days for the symptoms to appear vomiting, diarrhea and fever. With antibiotics it will take 2-3 days until it is safe to hike again, without antibiotics 5-7 days. The primary risk is dehydration because of the fluid loss and you don't feel like eating or drinking because it just comes back out, one way or the other. 100s have had to leave this year because of it. Some have have come back after a week or two. Knowing your plans for the hike just take the time you need to stay healthy and it will be OK. Good news is once you have had it you are immune for a few months. Stay safe, have fun and hike when you can....
Exactly Mike! Especially watching the video with all of those people milling about!! Everyone touching everything! Worst nightmare for a nurse, I'm queasy just thinking about it!
So, this is where all the cool cats are hanging out? Good to see so many of you watching Amelia, too. This discussion got me thinking about when to start my hypothetical NOBO 2030 thru hike. I feel like Bigfoot left so late, but it was only April 23. Chris Berry left April 22. Bigfoot summited Katahdin July 31. I felt like Bigfoot was behind the bubble but walking through it (I guess after it thinned out). Chris Berry summited October 19, 2016. He was not in much of a bubble, it seemed. Guess my point is that in thinking about pace and when to start my hypothetical NOBO 2030 thru hike, I keep changing my thought from February to April/May, then back to February. I like the idea of February like ER71 and Kiwi. Not too sure about dealing with all the cold weather ans snow. BUt then not too wild about the heat and humidity either. Doing it later would avoid some of the bubble like Bigfoot and Chris Berry and Alan Craig (Started April 3, 2016 - summited September 14, 2016). I know I would not want to be anywhere near Damascus during Trail Days. I just know in thee later videos like this one, I do not like the idea of all the people on the trail and at shelters. Last year, there was a norovirus outbreak, too, but I don't recall it being as bad as this years.
swatsullivan David, that's why we think March 1st is perfect & practice very good handwashing. hand sanitizer is good but soap & water kills more. Don't touch everything, share everything. Just be mindful that's all. You can be around people but there's no reason to HAVE to stick with large groups. A lot of groups just like to hang around & mingle etc, we are too old for thst. No problem making friends etc, but no need in getting caught up in the drama & a big group. Trying to get out of the rat race, not in it!! oh & ya, I forgot to send you the memo on where all us cool people are...figured you'd find us lol!! GG
What a nightmare, getting sick so early in your journey... Hope you all recovered quickly . That is some beautiful scenery and blue skies you walked through. Best wishes
Wow you're so lucky you had great weather at Blood Mountain. I was there when it was hazy and rainy early morning. Keep up the great videos! If you get sick, make sure to let your body repair itself...extra days off is okay.
I got this little piece of advise from a former thru hiker before I did mine- "Never, ever eat out of someone else's food bag". I'd watch thru hikers pass around a bag of trail mix and they all reach in with their hands to get a big scoop not knowing if the last person just went to the bathroom without properly washing up. Stay healthy...
Wow, you had some beautiful weather on Blood Mountain! Such stunning views! So sorry your trail brother got so sick. :( I've read/heard so many stories about hikers getting food poisoning along the trail. I plan to bring activated charcoal capsules with me just in case. They work great at treating food poisoning by absorbing the bacteria and escorting it out of the body before it can make you sick. There have been times when I was sure I was getting FP but I took a handful of those capsules and it went away and I never got sick.
I appreciate the heads up and people should definitely research it before using. As for me, I've used it numerous times with good results but I did check with WebMD at your recommendation and according to them "it is likely effective for trapping chemicals to stop some types of poisoning when used as a part of standard treatment." It also states that "it is relatively safe used short term." None of the cautionary situations it mentions apply to me but they might apply to others. We've used it to treat food poisoning and also stomach bugs with very favorable results and no side effects. I came down with a very bad stomach/intestinal bug very suddenly in the middle of the night and a day or two later when my daughter said she was feeling nauseous I had her take several AC capsules right then and then a few more at bedtime. She felt fine by morning and never got sick. It's also one of the quickest and most effective remedies for food poisoning, speaking from experience, and I have no fear of taking it on the trail should the need arise.
Thanks for sharing the journey!!! I was hoping you guys would make it through the Smokys with no virus. Just so you know the Norovirus has been running rampant on the trail since February. Personal hygiene is paramount until you get to VA. The way it works is an infected person touches something then you touch it and eat or drink. It can take up to 2 days for the symptoms to appear vomiting, diarrhea and fever. With antibiotics it will take 2-3 days until it is safe to hike again, without antibiotics 5-7 days. The primary risk is dehydration because of the fluid loss and you don't feel like eating or drinking because it just comes back out, one way or the other. 100s have had to leave this year because of it. Some have have come back after a week or two. Knowing your plans for the hike just take the time you need to stay healthy and it will be OK. Good news is once you have had it you are immune for a few months. Stay safe, have fun and hike when you can....
Exactly Mike! Especially watching the video with all of those people milling about!! Everyone touching everything! Worst nightmare for a nurse, I'm queasy just thinking about it!
Mike Burton Very good info, thanks for sharing.
Gucci Girl and Grumpy Yep, that's the problem with hiking in the bubble. Best to get ahead of it or it ahead of you...
So, this is where all the cool cats are hanging out? Good to see so many of you watching Amelia, too. This discussion got me thinking about when to start my hypothetical NOBO 2030 thru hike. I feel like Bigfoot left so late, but it was only April 23. Chris Berry left April 22. Bigfoot summited Katahdin July 31. I felt like Bigfoot was behind the bubble but walking through it (I guess after it thinned out). Chris Berry summited October 19, 2016. He was not in much of a bubble, it seemed.
Guess my point is that in thinking about pace and when to start my hypothetical NOBO 2030 thru hike, I keep changing my thought from February to April/May, then back to February. I like the idea of February like ER71 and Kiwi. Not too sure about dealing with all the cold weather ans snow. BUt then not too wild about the heat and humidity either. Doing it later would avoid some of the bubble like Bigfoot and Chris Berry and Alan Craig (Started April 3, 2016 - summited September 14, 2016). I know I would not want to be anywhere near Damascus during Trail Days.
I just know in thee later videos like this one, I do not like the idea of all the people on the trail and at shelters. Last year, there was a norovirus outbreak, too, but I don't recall it being as bad as this years.
swatsullivan David, that's why we think March 1st is perfect & practice very good handwashing. hand sanitizer is good but soap & water kills more. Don't touch everything, share everything. Just be mindful that's all. You can be around people but there's no reason to HAVE to stick with large groups. A lot of groups just like to hang around & mingle etc, we are too old for thst. No problem making friends etc, but no need in getting caught up in the drama & a big group. Trying to get out of the rat race, not in it!! oh & ya, I forgot to send you the memo on where all us cool people are...figured you'd find us lol!! GG
Squirrel cabin is great! When I stayed there the TV didn't work but I don't watch TV normally so no great loss!
That's awful! I hate y'all all got sick. I hope y'all are doing better now! Thank you for sharing!
What a nightmare, getting sick so early in your journey... Hope you all recovered quickly . That is some beautiful scenery and blue skies you walked through. Best wishes
Wow you're so lucky you had great weather at Blood Mountain. I was there when it was hazy and rainy early morning. Keep up the great videos! If you get sick, make sure to let your body repair itself...extra days off is okay.
感谢分享!Thanks for sharing !
Wow hope everyone gets better soon! Best of luck
I got this little piece of advise from a former thru hiker before I did mine- "Never, ever eat out of someone else's food bag". I'd watch thru hikers pass around a bag of trail mix and they all reach in with their hands to get a big scoop not knowing if the last person just went to the bathroom without properly washing up. Stay healthy...
Wow, you had some beautiful weather on Blood Mountain! Such stunning views! So sorry your trail brother got so sick. :( I've read/heard so many stories about hikers getting food poisoning along the trail. I plan to bring activated charcoal capsules with me just in case. They work great at treating food poisoning by absorbing the bacteria and escorting it out of the body before it can make you sick. There have been times when I was sure I was getting FP but I took a handful of those capsules and it went away and I never got sick.
There are risks to using activated charcoal and depending on situation shouldn't be taken. Search activated charcoal on WebMD for more info.
I appreciate the heads up and people should definitely research it before using. As for me, I've used it numerous times with good results but I did check with WebMD at your recommendation and according to them "it is likely effective for trapping chemicals to stop some types of poisoning when used as a part of standard treatment." It also states that "it is relatively safe used short term." None of the cautionary situations it mentions apply to me but they might apply to others. We've used it to treat food poisoning and also stomach bugs with very favorable results and no side effects. I came down with a very bad stomach/intestinal bug very suddenly in the middle of the night and a day or two later when my daughter said she was feeling nauseous I had her take several AC capsules right then and then a few more at bedtime. She felt fine by morning and never got sick. It's also one of the quickest and most effective remedies for food poisoning, speaking from experience, and I have no fear of taking it on the trail should the need arise.
Great discussion. Thanks for sharing.
Wow I'm glad everyone's OK that's really a crappy way to end what was supposed to be such a treat
Be well sister
Craig
damn good videos, thanks!!!
Gin Gin is a great name!
Ack, there are too many people there! Get me out!
Omg WAY too many people. Maybe the AT isn't for me after all.
It's not like that in most places. When I hiked last year I spent most of the time hiking with no one else in sight.
🚶🏻 🌲 😍 👍