Man, it got hot out!

[Slo-go'en]

Five days ago (more or less) we were hiking in snow flurries, then a day later in 80-85 degree temps with lots of Been wishing the green tunnel would hurry up and start to give some shade up on these VA ridge walks. In Pearisburg now, I'd guess about 30 thru hikers have passed by me so far, these are all the early March starters and many of them are moving right along. Quite a few short and long section hikers around too.

Suppost to cool off a little this week, but with T-Storms possible. Always something

[Blissful]

Was thinking of all you guys out there. Hope you stayed cool. Watch out for changing weather pattern in VA Wed.

[middle to middle]

In Maryland it is hot and sunny and leaves just barely out.

[Scaper]

I went out for a 15 mile hike today in Linden. It was hot where there was no tree cover. I was surprised at how many thru hikers have already come thru looking at the registers. The leaves are coming out up to about the 2000 foot level here. The leaves on the trees above 3500 feet in the SNP come out in mid to late May. There was a nice breeze today so it wasn't so bad.

[Egads]

I went for a trail run at the GA International Horse Park tonight. This is the first time the ticks and mosquitoes have been out.

[Marta]

I hiked Devil's Fork Gap to Tanyard Gap over the weekend. It was hot, hot, hot grinding uphill in the sun. Leaves not out yet. Some sort of biting fly was rampant.

Great wildflowers, though. Spring beauties, wild geraniums, a few triliums (trilia?), exceptional trout lilies this year, and my personal favorites, wild iris.

[Grinder]

speaking of the flies. How do we treat the bites?
Two weeks later some of mine still itch, in spite of regular treatment with an "itch cream" (topical analgesic).

I'm thinking clear nailpolish, but haven't gotten around to buying any yet.

TIA

[Marta]

speaking of the flies. How do we treat the bites?
Two weeks later some of mine still itch, in spite of regular treatment with an "itch cream" (topical analgesic).

I'm thinking clear nailpolish, but haven't gotten around to buying any yet.

TIA

I scratch the bites. It hurts so good. I stop short of turning the bites into open wounds, though. Occasionally I'll take some Benadryl.

I don't know about the nail polish idea. With chiggers, the critter is supposed to be living there on your skin. The polish is supposed to suffocate them. The flies bite and leave. (Except the ones I smashed. Hah!)

[Egads]

I went for a trail run at the GA International Horse Park tonight. This is the first time the ticks and mosquitoes have been out.

I've got the dreaded 2" diameter red ring around a deer tick bite, and will be calling the doc in the AM

[Blissful]

speaking of the flies. How do we treat the bites?
Two weeks later some of mine still itch, in spite of regular treatment with an "itch cream" (topical analgesic).

I'm thinking clear nailpolish, but haven't gotten around to buying any yet.

TIA

Could very well be chigger bites. Nail polish has worked for me in the past.

[Lemni Skate]

I did a short day hike on Old Rag in SNP yesterday and I did a short day hike this morning near Rod Hollow Shelter in Northern Virginia. Rain cut me short, but it's definitely green in Shenandoah and Northern Virginia. Maybe the very highest elevations (over 3200 feet) might have another week to go, but that's at the most. Ticks everywhere.

[Red Hat]

Five days ago (more or less) we were hiking in snow flurries, then a day later in 80-85 degree temps with lots of Been wishing the green tunnel would hurry up and start to give some shade up on these VA ridge walks. In Pearisburg now, I'd guess about 30 thru hikers have passed by me so far, these are all the early March starters and many of them are moving right along. Quite a few short and long section hikers around too.

Suppost to cool off a little this week, but with T-Storms possible. Always something

Yep, snow on April 22, then warmed up continuously, till May 1st I was sweating like (you fill it in)... anyway, I was just wishing for a little cool when it started to rain Sat evening May 2nd..., rained all day May 3rd, 4th, and 5th... till I was so wet my Precip didn't even keep me dry. Shivering in the cold and wet. So watch out what you wish for, I got my cooler weather, but it didn't make me happy...

[nelisx]

I've got the dreaded 2" diameter red ring around a deer tick bite, and will be calling the doc in the AM

egads! good luck at the doc

[d'shadow]

I got chiggers while camping in Florida. I used liquid bandage and it worked like a charm

[Slo-go'en]

Yep, snow on April 22, then warmed up continuously, till May 1st I was sweating like (you fill it in)... anyway, I was just wishing for a little cool when it started to rain Sat evening May 2nd..., rained all day May 3rd, 4th, and 5th... till I was so wet my Precip didn't even keep me dry. Shivering in the cold and wet. So watch out what you wish for, I got my cooler weather, but it didn't make me happy...

Yep, after 3 days of sweltering heat, I got to Pearisburg and sent most of my warm stuff home..then it got cool and wet out for 8 or more days! It did make for reasonably pleasent hiking weather, but not so good to camp in. At least there was pleanty of shelter space. Plus all that rain made the forest bloom, and that was nice to see too. Missed a number of the better vista views in centeral VA cuz of the rain though...

[leeki pole]

Yep, after 3 days of sweltering heat, I got to Pearisburg and sent most of my warm stuff home..then it got cool and wet out for 8 or more days! It did make for reasonably pleasent hiking weather, but not so good to camp in. At least there was pleanty of shelter space. Plus all that rain made the forest bloom, and that was nice to see too. Missed a number of the better vista views in centeral VA cuz of the rain though...

Umm, 80-85 is not sweltering heat. We tolerate 92 to 100 with 70% humidity for three months in the summer. Clear fingernail polish and Chiggerex will take care of them redbugs, but expect two weeks and don't scratch. Chiggers make their appearance just about the same time when the blackberries are ripe, after the first rain.

[Sly]

There's no leaves and tree cover in VA? It's either green as can be or I must be in the wrong state.

[leeki pole]

I know about chiggers because they love blackberry vines and my wife loves blackberries on her cereal every morning, so me and Mr. Chigger get real close and personal about June 1 until June 30.

[Egads]

Umm, 80-85 is not sweltering heat. We tolerate 92 to 100 with 70% humidity for three months in the summer.

This is what is known as hiker's off season in the South.

[Blissful]

Yeah it's gonna get hotter before it gets cooler... Eventually. Right now it's rain, rain here in VA.