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It’s Dreaming Season

Written By: Emma Slaughter

I have long since left the mindset of a normal human being and now only think of things in terms of weight, necessity, and functionality. As the thru-hiking season draws near, my excitement grows. The need to indulge in ramen noodle bombs, mud-soaked socks, and pop tart challenges takes my focus from my daily life and I doze through “normal” conversations in a gear induced coma. I find myself at a crossroads between saving money to have a comfortable cushion to come home to or splurging, again, and buying that shiny new Hyperlite Mountain Gear pack. The pack wins.

Working in the outdoor gear industry, the language of backpacking is pretty much the only one I’m fluent in. The words “hiking” and “The Appalachian Trail” slip off my lips a dozen times a day. Rest assured that if you are in my general vicinity I will bore you to death with degrees of merino warmth and unsolicited hiking trivia that will leave you wondering how I worked it into conversation.

Packing for this trip, I find myself wanting to pass up the comfort of an inflatable sleeping pad for the ease of a roll-out Switchback. All the better for more accessible midday napping! What we bring on our trips is ever-changing and growing with our experiences. Here is where I am at so far.

LAST UPDATED

May 6, 2022

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MEDIA MENTIONS

A 20% DEET Premium Controlled-Release Lotion will work well against mosquitoes, but Dr. Zimring says he prefers the 20% Picaridin lotion since it also protects against ticks, gnats, chiggers, and flies. (In both instances, he recommends Sawyer brand.)

Rachel Schultz
Editorial Director

MEDIA MENTIONS

Part of spending time outside means battling ticks, mosquitoes, and other biting insects. For this, Nelson swears by permethrin.

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MEDIA MENTIONS

And out of the products we tested, Dr. Zeichner highly recommends Sawyer Products 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent.

Samson McDougall