AboutRoy Wallen Expertise I spend time and effort in hiking and climbing activities, including learning new methods and locations.
Experience Working in the application of technology to medical products. Experience includes 20+ years in product marketing and strategic planning, of which 8 years was in Europe providing strategic and tactical support to European and Asian markets and 3 years in managing distribution channels outside North America. Since 1973, a hiking and climbing enthusiast with a wide range of hiking and climbing experience in the eastern US and Europe.Since 1970, a Christian who takes his faith seriously. BS in Electrical Engineering with a concentration on biomedical applications; graduate work in engineering and business; Greek language study; fluent in English (native) and German. New England 4000-footer Club, numerous hikes and climbs (Appalachias; German, Austrian, Swiss, and Italian Alps; US desert southwest).
Question During the summer I volunteer as a scoutmaster for a Boy Scout camp. Last summer we went on a 3-day hike, led by an experienced Boy Scout guide. This was my first long hike. There were a number of things that I wasn't really prepared for and which nobody bothered telling me about. Things like the experience of using a cathole. And walking for three days in extremely sweaty clothing. And one of my scouts getting heat rash. And water coming out of our expensive new water filter looking like apple juice. That's not to say that we didn't have a great time, of course, put I'd like to be better prepared this time around. Specifically, I'd like to hear what you have to say about the following questions. Please answer in as much detail as possible.
1. Using the cathole: Nobody ever claimed it as the most comfortable experience, but for some reason I wasn't expecting it to be quite as bad as it was. It's hard to squat for that long, especially if you have occasional stomach issues like I do so it takes longer than otherwise. And by the time your halfway done you've got ten flies buzzing around you. I guess that says something about their sense of smell, but that doesn't stop it from being annoying. Is there any way to make the experience a bit less unpleasant?
2. Sweat: On this past summer's hike I brought extra clothing in an attempt to avoid having to wear sweat-drenched clothing for three straight days. Of course, that added considerable weight and bulk. I don't want to do that again, but on the other hand I still don't want to have to spend several days in a soaked undershirt. Aside from the fact that I prefer not to smell like a sewer rat, wearing sweaty clothing can cause rashes (especially in the groin area), and I suspect in some cases it can lead to hypothermia.
I can think of four possible ways of addressing this issue:
(a) Wash and/or dry clothing as it gets soiled and sweaty. Questions: What would I need to bring along in order to be able to do the wash? What's the best way of doing it?
(b) I could bring more clothing, like I did last summer, although that adds considerably to pack weight. Questions: For a three day hike, which articles of clothing could I manage to leave behind in order to make my pack as light as possible? Should I bring spares "just in case"? Any other tips on lightening the clothing load?
(c) Another option is sweat-wicking clothing. I've heard good things about it, and I've tried underwear from a few brands (Under Armor, Ex Officio, some other brand I can't remember the name of), with varying results. Questions:
- Do they really work as well as advertised?
- Do all the brands work as well as the others? What should I look for in choosing sweat-wicking clothing?
- Are there any cheaper brands that work well?
- How many days, would you say, could you wear Under Armor underwear (for example) without having it stink to high heaven and risk getting a rash?
(d) The Boy Scout guide who went with us told us that experienced backpackers just don't wear underwear. Is this true?
One of my scouts got heat rash in a very uncomfortable area. What's the best way to treat heat rash?
Finally, is it true that deodorant attracts mosquitoes?
3. Clothing:
(a) Most pants I've worn on hikes rub against my thighs so that by the end of a full day of hiking my thighs feel like they've almost been rubbed raw. And when I'm sweaty it just gets worse. Possibly wearing shorts might solve this problem, but that won't work in the winter, and I anyway prefer to wear pants even in the summer (just my personal taste). Maybe a different material would do the trick? Wider pants legs?
(b) Most rain protection that I've worn on hikes does a good job of protecting you from rain, but you get wet anyway because it makes you sweat a lot. I've only used cheap plastic ponchos and rain jackets, so maybe that's the problem, but I'm not interested in paying $300 for an expensive sweat-wicking rain jacket / pants combo. Is there a happy medium here?
(c) Some socks I've used get soggy from sweat. Others are insulated and get my feet very hot in the summer. What are the pros and cons of different socks types for summer use?
(d) Does white clothing really keep you cool? Is it really that much better than other types? What about other lighter-colored clothing (say, red or light brown)?
(e) Is it really so necessary to get expensive hiking boots for a backpacking trip?
4. Packs: Is there any way to get a good pack without emptying the bank?
5. Sleeping bags:
(a) Is it really necessary to get those expensive sleeping bags and pads?
(b) My sleeping bag always gets damp in the morning (from sweat? dew?). Is there any way to prevent this?
6. Water:
(a) Water is heavy! How much water is it really necessary to carry around?
(b) We bought a fancy $80 water filter for our hike - a Katadyn Vario. We used it a few times with good results, but then we came upon a stream that was brownish-red. From what I had read I expected this to be filtered just as well as the others (I've read that the Vario and other filters can basically filter from straight mud and will filter all dangerous things out of the water except viruses). But the water came out looking like apple juice. This spooked our guide, who insisted we hike over to the nearest Boy Scout area to fill up on water - a good hour or more of hiking, and we were out of water. What went wrong? Or was it indeed filtered correctly and there's nothing wrong with drinking apple-juice colored water?
Answer Thanks for your questions. They are extensive and I will try to address them here in as complete a way as you’ve asked.
1. Cat-holes: First, you’d be amazed at how many people avoid digging a cat-hole. It is important to do so and to make sure it is well off-trail and away from water sources. One way I’ve found to make the experience a bit more comfortable is to dig the cat-hole next to a log or small pile of rocks. The log or rocks can serve as support, much like the front edge of a toilet seat, sitting on it with your thighs while the rest of you hangs over the edge. As far as the flies are concerned, the only solution for that is being away from other sources of interest to them such as previous cat-holes. Unfortunately, they will probably find you.
2. Sweat: You’re right that wet clothing in a cool place can contribute to hypothermia. The expression “cotton kills” applies here. Cotton undershirts are the worst for hiking. They will absorb and retain sweat and they take a long time to dry. I recommend shirts of synthetic material such as polypropylene or one of the other related materials – what you call sweat-wicking clothing. They come in various thickness and in both long and short sleeves, will indeed wick water away from your skin surface, and are warm even when wet. For me, two or three of these shirts are good for a week’s worth of backpacking, alternating their use every other day, though I’ll admit that they still don’t smell great after a few days. For a 3-day backpack, I recommend 2 short-sleeved shirts and one long-sleeved shirt, depending on the weather you anticipate. A fleece jacket over a synthetic shirt will provide enough warmth if needed. Undershorts are also available from this material and serve the same purpose. While some people don’t wear underwear, I do. I like getting gear at REI and their store brand is what I use and recommend.
Clothing can be washed but it’s one of the last things I want to do when hiking. Carrying a few shirts for a full week doesn’t add much to weight and has an advantage over trying to wash things. The advantage of synthetics is that they can be rinsed out in a stream and will dry quickly (while hung from your pack when hiking or overnight on a bush).
Heat rash may be avoided by wearing lighter synthetic clothing. Getting cool is the best way to treat it. More information can be obtained from your doctor but you can start here: http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/heat-rash-topic-overview
Some deodorants may attract mosquitoes. I recommend avoiding deodorant anyway as it doesn’t help much, adds weight to the pack, and can cause clothes to stick to you.
3. Clothing: Pants and shorts will both cause chafing on your inner thighs. Vaseline works well to avoid the chafing. Avoiding heavy fabric like jeans (remember, cotton kills) will also help avoid chafing, again synthetics work well for this.
While lighter clothing will reflect light and therefore be a little cooler, I haven’t seen much difference.
Plastic and nylon rain protection doesn’t breathe and will trap moisture in while keeping moisture out, as you’ve experienced. Although expensive, GoreTex works best, I believe. It will keep moisture out yet allow for water to evaporate from within. If you have layers of synthetic shirt, fleece jacket, GoreTex outer layer, you will be warm and dry in any weather. It’s true that you will need to spend $100-$200 for a good outer layer. I usually don’t worry about rain pants except in winter or where there is another threat of hypothermia (such as high altitude).
For the feet, I apply the same principles as with shirts. A thin synthetic sock next to the skin wicks sweat away and minimize chafing. An outer sock of thicker material of synthetics or wool will provide cushioning, warmth, and stability.
There are two schools of thought about boots: lightweight and flexible or heavy and sturdy. I prefer the latter. I am on my second pair of custom-made boots in thirty years of hiking; they are heavy, all-leather boots made by an excellent boot-maker in New Hampshire. Others cite the theory that every pound on your feet is like 5 pounds on your back. If you have carrying 40 pounds of weight, you probably want a solid base – it’s too easy to twist an ankle. I recommend that, at the least, you use ankle-high boots that provide good support to your feet and ankles. Low hiking shoes are not appropriate for backpacking trips, though I know people who wear them.
4. Packs: As with any gear, packs can be expensive components. I strong support system is important when carrying enough weight for a 3-day trip. At the least, you should have enough space to carry what you need and a strong hip belt to support the weight. My recommendation is to shop around to see what you can find at a price that you want to spend. REI and Campmor are two places to check.
5. Sleeping bags: The same answer applies for sleeping bags as with packs. You can spend as much as you want. I have an old down bag that I use for 3 seasons and a ThermaRest pad that I use year-round. Both have lasted for over 20 years. Cheaper bags are available if you will only be backpacking in the summer and don’t need too much warmth. Clothing worn inside the bag can reduce the need for lots of insulation in the bag. Sleeping without a pad is one way to travel lighter and cheaper but will not be as comfortable.
If you sleep in a tent or under a cover, you should avoid wetness from dew. If you sleep lighter (less clothing, lighter bag), you should avoid sweat. If it’s wet on the outside, it’s dew. If wet on the inside or your clothing is damp, it’s sweat.
6. Water: I carry 3 liters per day on a hike. A filter takes care of the rest but is a nuisance to try to use during the day. I always try to use the filter only at night and don’t even bring it on a day hike.
I am not familiar with the Katadyn Vario filter. You may want to ask about your experience with it at the place where you bought it or search on-line for manufacturer’s information. Filters should get rid of sediment and bacteria that can make you sick. Filtered water should not look like apple juice.
Hope these answers help make this summer's experiences better. The most important thing to remember is to have fun.
