acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (Advil)
• Butterfly-closure bandages
• Comb and tweezers (for removing ticks from your skin)
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, in case of allergic reactions)
• Epinephrine (EpiPen) in a prefilled syringe (for severe allergic reactions to outdoor mishaps such as bee stings)
• Gauze (one roll and six 4-by-4-inch compress pads)
• LED flashlight or headlamp
• Matches or lighter
• Moist towelettes
• Moleskin/Spenco 2nd Skin
• Pocketknife or multipurpose tool
• Waterproof first aid tape
• Whistle (for signaling rescuers if you get lost or injured)
WATCHWORDS FOR FLORA AND FAUNA
BEARS The Southern Appalachians and Smokies are home to black bears in abundance. Most avoid humans, but some associate humans with food and have lost their fear of people. (See for ways to bearproof your food.)
If you should have an unexpected black bear encounter, stand upright and back away slowly. Speak in a calm voice. If you spot a bear at camp or on the trail, keep your distance and make enough noise so that it’s aware of your presence—never surprise a bear. Likewise, never get between a mother bear and her cub. Always notify campground, park, or forest staff after a bear encounter.
MOSQUITOES In the mountains, summertime is peak mosquito season, but even then these pests aren’t as troublesome as they are elsewhere. At this time of year—and anytime you expect mosquitoes to be buzzing around—you may want to wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves, long pants, and socks (provided it’s not too hot outside to make that impractical). Loose-fitting, light-colored clothing is best. Spray clothing with insect repellent, remembering to follow the instructions on the label and to take extra care with children.
Photo: Tom Watson
Photo: Jane Huber
Photo: Kevin Hansen/Freekee/Wikimedia Commons/CC0 (creativecommons.org/license/CC0)
POISON IVY, OAK, AND SUMAC Recognizing and avoiding these plants are the most effective ways to prevent the painful, itchy rashes associated with them. Poison ivy (top right) ranges from a thick, tree-hugging vine to a shaded ground cover, 3 leaflets to a leaf; poison oak (center right) occurs as either a vine or shrub, also with 3 leaflets; and poison sumac (bottom right) flourishes in wet wooded areas such as streambanks, with each leaf having 7–13 leaflets. Urushiol, the plants’ oily sap, is responsible for the rash. Usually within 12–14 hours of exposure (but sometimes much later), raised lines and/or blisters will appear, accompanied by a terrible itch. Try not to scratch—dirty fingernails can cause an infection, and in the best case you’ll spread the rash to other parts of your body.
Wash the rash with cold water and a mild soap or cleanser such as Tecnu, and then dry it thoroughly, applying calamine lotion or a topical cortisone cream to help soothe the itch; if the rash is painful or blistering is severe, seek medical attention. Note that any oil that gets on clothing, boots, and the like can keep spreading its misery for at least a year if you don’t thoroughly clean it off, so wash everything that you think could have urushiol on it, including pets.
Photo: Jane Huber
SNAKES If you spend any time camping in the Southern Appalachians and Smoky Mountains, you may be surprised by the variety of snakes in the area. While most encounters will be with nonvenomous specimens, two venomous snakes do call the mountains home: the copperhead and the timber rattler. The former can be found near streams and on outcrops, whereas the latter will primarily be seen sunning on rocks. You might spend some time studying snakes before you head into the woods, but a good rule of thumb is to give any animal you encounter a wide berth and leave it alone.
TICKS The bane of camping trips, ticks tend to lurk in the brush, leaves, and grass that grow alongside trails. Hot summer months seem to make their numbers explode, but you should be tick-aware all year round.
Ticks, which are related to spiders, need a host to feast on in order to reproduce. The ones that alight onto you will be very small, sometimes so tiny that you won’t be able to spot them until you feel the itchiness of their bite. Primarily of two varieties, deer ticks (which can carry Lyme disease) and wood ticks, both need a few hours of actual attachment before they can transmit any illness they may harbor, so the quicker you remove them the better. Ticks may settle in shoes, socks, or hats and may take several hours to actually latch on.
Wearing light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to spot; tucking the cuffs of your pants into your socks, while geeky-looking, helps keep them from latching on; and using an insect repellent with DEET helps keep them away. Visually check yourself for ticks throughout the day while you’re out in the woods, and do an even more thorough check of your entire body when you’re in your tent/cabin or taking a posthike shower.
If a tick should bite you, use tweezers to remove it—grab as close to the skin as possible, and firmly pull the tick loose without crushing it, making sure to remove the entire head. Then wash the area well with warm, soapy water.
Keep an eye on the bite for several days afterward to ensure that it doesn’t get infected and that a rash doesn’t develop. The telltale sign of Lyme infection is a bullseye-shaped rash that forms around the site of the bite; be aware, however, that you could be infected even if the rash doesn’t develop. If you start experiencing flulike symptoms within a couple of weeks of getting bitten, see a doctor right away.
HAPPY CAMPING: PLANNING, ETIQUETTE, AND MORE
Few things are more disappointing than a bad camping trip—the good news is, it’s really easy to have a great one. Here are a few things to consider as you prepare for your trip.
• PLAN AHEAD. Know your equipment, your ability, and the area where you’ll be camping—and prepare accordingly. Be self-sufficient at all times; carry the necessary supplies for changes in weather or other conditions. In the same vein, reserve your site in advance when that’s an option, especially if it’s a weekend or holiday or if the campground is extremely popular. Also do a little research on what the campground or nearby area has to offer; campground/park staff can be extremely helpful in suggesting things to do and places to go. Finally, consider the accessibility of supplies before you go—it’s a pain to have to get in the car and make a long trek in search of hot dog buns or bug spray.
• USE CARE WHEN TRAVELING. Stay on designated roadways. Be respectful of private property and travel restrictions. Familiarize yourself with the area you’ll be traveling in by picking up a map that shows land ownership.
• WHEN SELECTING A CAMPGROUND OR CAMPSITE,
