Trip Planning

How much effort do you put into trip planning?  I've seen lots of humorous posters and quotes about hikers that prepare for murphy's law and then I've heard of those that occasionally take shoes!  Where do I rank?
Somewhere in between. Take  my last trip for example.  I went with my husband and two friends to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park for 8 days.  I researched every hike we went on.  I had back-up hikes in case the weather changed or there were recent bear sightings.  I had way too much weight in gear for our day hikes.  However, I forgot underwear.  Yep,  underwear.  I even bought the expensive quick drying, travel underwear. Only to leave them at home, under my pillow (which I also forgot).  I also quickly realized that my 20 degree sleeping bag was not going to be warm enough.  Especially to spend any time in the backcountry.  My gear, while it was wonderful and expensive.  It was not what I needed for this trip.  I needed a warmer sleeping bag and a pack that would hold the bag and my other necessities.  My pack is not big enough.  It was a 35L Gregory pack.  I fell victim to a pack on clearance that fit me.  My pack is great.  I really like it.  It just wasn't perfect for this trip.  Now I know why hikers have multiple backpacks.

Underwear....yes, I forgot my underwear.  This put me slightly over the edge when I made the realization. It put me over the edge because I was on day 3 of no shower, my feet hurt like crazy, I was exhausted and cold and had a bit of sickness resulting from a overzealous 8 mile/4000ft elevation change hike we had just completed.  The thought of heading to a shower with warm water, changing into clean underwear and warm clean clothes was just thrilling.  Then the thought of no clean underwear was just a bummer to me.  So what did I do?  I took my husbands clean underwear, sported those and demanded that we make a trip into town for underwear.  Luckily, my friends and husband were more than willing to head into town and enjoy the heater in the car for a few hours.

So while some aspects of our trip I was over-prepared I failed to do one important step.  I failed to make a packing list.  My sister who was house/dog sitting while we were gone got quite the laugh out of my underwear that remained on my bed under my pillow that I dearly missed.  Luckily I had a throw in the car that we used for a pillow.

Our plans changed a couple of times when hikes we wanted to take were no longer accessible.  Luckily, my over-planning with regard to trails worked out in our favor.  I did end up with a brand new package of underwear that we purchased at K-Mart along with some cough drops and much needed Vitamin C.   We all remained healthy, happy and most importantly hiking!

Here's a few photos from our hiking trip.  I would recommend the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park to everyone!

The First Aid Kit

We are preparing for an upcoming trip.  We are planning a week long trip with another couple.  While watching videos on YouTube to review any new gear we need, find new tips on packing and kits, I realized I needed to update my First Aid Kit.  My last real clean-out of this kit was a couple of years ago when I used it Trail Riding on horseback in Custer, South Dakota.  Since I would be packing this kit, instead of my horse, I decided it needed revision.

I decided to first remove it from it's original bag.  The bag was just a small toiletries bag that had a canvas shell.  It was nice and durable and fit all my supplies perfectly.  However, it is not the lightest weight so that was the first improvement. I actually shouldn't call it an improvement because while I now have my kit in a ziplock bag that is convenient for hiking it would be a disadvantage for trail riding.  I would like something more durable in my saddle bag for trail riding. 

First Aid Kits, I feel are personal.  While there are generic items that must go in all first aid kits, they all need some personalization and "tweeking" to make them best for your situations.  My first aid kit is altered some depending on where I'm going and what I'm doing.  I carry a little first aid equipment for my horse in the saddle bags and I carry some first aid equipment for my dogs when they go along with us as well.  I am a firm believer that a little pain reliever goes a long way for humans and animals.  Please don't ignore your animals.  They are covering just as many, if not more, miles than you are.  Treat them the way you would treat yourself.  There are great electrolytes for their water available for purchase at farm stores, vet supply stores and some pet stores.  Also, take a pain reliever for your pet.  Check with your vet regarding an anti-inflammatory, especially for older dogs/horses. 

On to the contents of my hiking/backpacking first aid kit:

Medicines 

Benadryl - 6-8 tablets (allergic reactions)

Ibuprofen - 10 tablets (pain/fever)

Aspirin - 10 tablets (pain)

Tylenol - 10 tablets (pain/fever)

Sudafed - 4 tablets (allergies non-drowsy -not emergency item but comfort item)

Imodium - 4 tablets (anti-diarrhea)

Meclizine - 5 tablets (dizziness, motion sickness, vertigo)

Bandages/Bleeding

10 - 4x4 gauze bandages

3-4 in different sizes - non-adhering pads

1 - ABD pad/thick absorbent pad

10 - different sizes of bandaids

1- 4" gauze wrap/roll

6 - cotton balls

2 - benzoin (to make things stick) 

Steri-Strips/butterfly bandages different sizes

Quick Clot

Misc

3 pair - Gloves

Medical transpore tape wrapped around credit card to conserve space

1 - 4" ace wrap

1- scalpel

Orthodontics Wax - makes all the difference to cover an exposed nerve if a tooth gets chipped!

Tweezers

SAM Splint

Saline Eye drops

Wound Cleanser

Moleskin

The kit items listed above weigh in at 10 ounces.  It is all contained in a quart size freezer ziploc bag.  I have seen First Aid Kits that also include scissors, sterile saline for wound irrigation, sutures, needles, syringes, safety pins, and many other items.  As I mentioned earlier, everyone wants their First Aid Kit set up differently.  While many companies have created several types of first aid kits I encourage you to "tweek" your kit even if it is one that you purchased.  See what items you use, what items are missing, and make sure you know what is in your kit and how to use it!  

Other items that I carry in my pack can be used for first aid for example:

My Leatherman multi-tool - the knife can be used to remove a stinger, cut a shirt to make a dressing or sling and much more.  

Clothes - can be used to make slings, splints with a few sticks or trekking poles, 

Tape - I always carry duct tape as well as medical tape and zip ties and paracord.  I can always keep a dressing on...even if it's not in the most conventional way.

I cannot get creative when it comes to medicines.  I really feel an antihistamine like Benadryl is imperative if someone has a reaction to a bee sting or some other irritant.  Ibuprofen because being in pain sucks.  Ibuprofen because getting sick and having a fever on the trail sucks.  Immodium because having diarrhea on the trail is not good for anyone!  Orthodontics Wax isn't medicine but it works better than Ibuprofen for exposed tooth nerve pain.  If you ever chip a tooth or have some weird issue on the trail and the cool, crisp mountain air hits your exposed nerve in your mouth and you will always find room in your pack for some dental wax!

This is my First Aid Kit and why I love the items in it....What's in your kit?  Does it need updated?
If you have any ideas/feedback please leave a comment.  I'd love to hear it!

What's this about?

Welcome to DuoTrek. 

DuoTrek is a blog about camping, hiking, backpacking, wandering and whatever outdoorsy stuff we decide to throw into this blog. 

DuoTrek consists of Jon and Kelly.  A married couple that through life lessons and life changes has found new joy in the outdoors.  We are both fairly active people with a variety of hobbies.  Jon is a golfer, sports nut.  Kelly loves horseback riding and researching everything.  Together they love hanging with their two dogs and eachother. 

Check out the His/Hers/Our Gear List to see what we are currently packing.

We hope to include details of our trips, gear reviews and maybe even videos!!

We always welcome suggestions, ideas and feedback.