Some of the Few Things I Learned Planning JMT* Hike

-- did you know tampons make a good kindle? Guess what I am taking with us, just in case. Oh, for guys who would not want to be seen on the trail with tampons - greasy potato chips are OK also.


-- did you know that pads, yes THOSE pads are good for dressing deep bleeding wounds?
well,  any woman would easily figure that one out.  You guys are in trouble. OK if you start bleeding, find a woman, she will know what to do 


Still it is easier for you to pee on the trail. Darn! Is that where penis envy comes from? (see below)


--if you don't have water, you can clean your wounds very effectively with your pee. It is sterile -- but I am sure you all knew that. Next time on the run you need to clean that popped blister on your run, you know what to do.

bon apetite

--a handful of roasted grasshoppers has the same number of calories as a hamburger. The guide did not specify what I do with wings and antennae and if I can supersize. So if you realize you forgot your energy gels on your long run, just look for grasshoppers. Yum! (OK, maybe they are a bit low in carbs, so what?!)


-- if I get drunk on the trail, in order to offset dehydration I will have to drink 6 times as much water. Now all I need to do is to locate where bars are on JMT. I know of at least one. No kidding. But I am hiking with my son and have to set a good example (DARN!)


-- liquor of 40% or more is very good for sterilizing wounds and instruments. So here is a question. Is it legal for a 15year old to carry liquor, you know, for sterilization purposes only. I know he is not allowed to buy it, but if he got caught carrying it, would he be in trouble? (He would if I was the one who caught him.)


I'll keep you posted of any other tips and tricks for survival on the trail. As I keep on learning, my confidence that we will be just fine is growing.


---------------------
*for those who don't know, JMT stands for John Muir Trail, a 220 mi trail from Yosemite Valley to the top of Mount Whitney.