I came across this website that provides trail profiles to many of the popular trails across the US. http://parkaymaps.110mb.com/ has links to elevation profiles, maps and google earth files that have been created by Chris Johnson aka Mr. Parkay.

The elevation profiles are a great resource for planning your trip and are fun to look at! Enjoy his work.

See you on the trail, Peter

As we prepare for our back country excursions this is the time of year to pack some of the most important items, mosquito control and prevention items! I carry at least a head netting and a good DEET formula. I have tried may and have found for me that the 3M Ultrathon works best.

Below I found this article from an unknown source about mosquito preparedness. I hope it helps you in the backcountry and see you on the trail, Peter

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Mosquito control for severe conditions

Encountering and suffering from mosquitoes seems to be part of the Sierra experience, especially in early summer. Severe conditions can range from the annoying, to producing actual danger from skin infections resulting either from the bites themselves, or from secondary scratching. Under the worst conditions, people can experience thousands of bites, and the incessant buzzing can make grown people cry.

Each year, those highly experienced on the trails encounter numerous people who are learning, the hard way, that many things touted for mosquito control do not work for most people.

Comparison of various repellents:

http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu/IPM/Landscape/F2/InsectRepellents.htm

Beyond any question or debate, DEET (N,N-Diethyltoluamide) is the best product available to place on the skin that consistently works well. Frequently heard is concern that DEET may be a toxic chemical, but this is far from true. DEET is one of the most-used chemicals in the world, and it has been among the most-tested chemicals that exists. WHEN USED AS DIRECTED, it is very safe. The very rare situations in which side effects have occurred, it has been when the directions were NOT followed, such as immersing a child in it. Picardin and Oil of Eucalyptis are other options, although they are not as strong, don’t last as long, and are not studied anywhere near as much.

A newer product for mosquito protection, is permethrin, a product that has been used for the treatment of lice for decades. In it’s mosquito usage, it is applied ONLY to clothing and allowed to dry. It works best when the material is saturated. Unlike DEET, which is only a repellent and does no harm to the insect, permethrin BOTH repels mosquitoes and also kills them!! It will remain active through at least 5 washings, or several months. There have been virtually no reactions reported worldwide after decades of use. Ths standard use for lice is to coat a child in permethrin, at ten times the clothing dose, for 8 hours. This is so safe, it is over the counter treatment.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the World Health Organization both recommend the use of BOTH permethrin and DEET for maximal protection, especially in regions where mosquito disease transmission exists.

Those who have used the combination in bad mosquito areas find the combination remarkable at keeping the bugs at bay. Additionally, the permethrin eliminates biting through treated clothing.

For those who are afflicted by these insects, this represents a major step forward.

First off, I want to say that I am back from a month and a half sabbatical from my blogging. I have been busy with packing, moving, fixing and painting a newly acquired home. Unpacking, finding things that I swear were packed in a certain box, but can’t be found. Painting (did I already say painting), installing a couple new doors, fixing a leaky toilet, learning how to maintain and care for a pool, the list goes on.

A few days ago I began subscribing to newspapers from around the country on my Kindle. I have found it interesting to follow some of the local news around the country. I did come across this article in the Anchorage Newspaper and wanted to pass it along.

The West is really dry and fires of course are bad in my home of Southern California. I have even heard of outbreaks up and down the Pacific Crest Trail. Now I am learning that even Alaska is having a real bad time.

So, be careful out there. Make sure you follow safe and proper fire regulations!

See you on the Trail, Peter

Anchorage Daily News
Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Alaska wildfire activity called unprecedented The Turquoise Lake fire burning along the South Fork of the Kuskokwim River has already consumed 57,000 acres and several structures, including the Farewell Lake Lodge.
By JAMES HALPIN and BLAIRE MALONEY Anchorage Daily News

Faced with 95 active wildfires and lightning bolts by the hundreds, Alaska wildfire officials Tuesday called fire activity for the month of May "unprecedented" and warned that the risk of more wildfires is high and that their resistance to control is nearing extreme. Thirteen of the fires were staffed with 1,467, firefighters, including some 900 people from the Lower 48, while others were burning unchecked in what has to date been an uncommonly hot and dry Alaska spring. The fire activity Tuesday prompted the National Interagency Coordination Center to elevate Alaska to Preparedness Level IV, topping every other region in the country. "We are now the national priority, which is good because that helps us in terms of getting resources, both people and equipment," said Pete Buist, a spokesman for the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center. The National Weather Service was predicting some respite in much of the state — cooler temperatures and some precipitation — but at the expense of accompanying thunderstorms. More than 2,000 lightning bolts snapped down on Alaska on Monday, with more lightning expected through the week, according to the interagency fire center. Near Anchorage, a wildfire burning about two miles south of Eklutna Lake, fueled by whipping winds Monday, exploded from 300 acres 1,300, fire officials said Tuesday. Cooler temperatures and more cloud cover helped firefighters hold a critical defensive line constructed during the night. But firefighters were bracing for strong afternoon winds that would put them to the test. There were 110 firefighters on the blaze, but they were hampered by steep canyon walls and thick smoke. The fire was considered uncontained Tuesday morning. The East Fork Trail has been closed until further notice, but the Eklutna campground remains open. Thick smoke prompted fire officials to advise people sensitive to smoke to stay indoors and avoid strenuous physical activity. Near McGrath, the Turquoise Lake fire was burning uncontrolled on 56,000 acres in a remote area. Last week it destroyed four cabins, the Farewell Lake Lodge and several outbuildings, and on Tuesday the fire was continuing to threaten 12 cabins in the vicinity, said Gary Lehnhausen, a spokesman for the state Division of Forestry. "I know they went out there to do structure protection and the fire was some of the most extreme conditions that people around here had ever seen," Lehnhausen said. "They basically had enough time to pick up the caretaker and leave before the fire overran the whole place." Crews on Monday attempted to drop a load of retardant on the holdover fire, but smoke was so dense they couldn’t see to drop it, he said. Crews Tuesday concentrated on several high-profile fires that have consumed vast quantities of forest acreage. The largest among them was the Eagle Trail fire, burning 13,200 acres about a half mile south of Tanacross, which is staffed with more than 500 firefighters. Crews say it is 15 percent contained. The Gilles Creek fire, burning about 20 miles north of Delta Junction, had consumed 16,400 acres of wildland growth and was staffed by more than 252 firefighters. The Toklat fire, about 25 miles southwest of Nenana, had burned 127,176 acres and was staffed by nearly 200 firefighters. The small McClain Lake fire continued to burn in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on the east side of Swanson River, according to fire information officer Brian Ballou. The fire covered 40 acres. "No immediate structures seemed to be threatened" Ballou said. So far this year, 276 wildfires have burned through an estimated 353,000 acres statewide. Find James Halpin online at adn.com/contact/jhalpin or call him at 257-4589.