Sunburn is a very common problem for backpackers and hikers. The culprit is UV rays. These rays penetrate through clouds, so you can get burned on a cloudy day as well as on a sunny day.

WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying sunscreen every two hours no matter your skin color. Make sure you apply protection to all exposed skin.

Here are some other ways of avoiding sunburn: Wear a hat that shades you neck and ears as well as your head and eyes. Buy clothing that is made to protect your skin from UV rays. Some clothing for the outdoors has an SPF rating just like sunscreen. Check the labels.

Hike early and avoid the times of the day when the sun’s rays are especially dangerous. That’s 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

REMEDIES

Apply an aloe-based lotion and avoid additional sun exposure to the affected areas. If you experience fever, chills or nausea, consult a doctor.

ADDITIONAL NOTE

The higher in elevation you hike, the more risk of sunburn you will encounter. This is due to the fact that the thinner atmosphere at higher elevations allow more of the UV rays to get through.

Backpack safe. Backpack healthy.

by Richard Davidian. Ph.D.

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Image by Al_HikesAZ via Flickr

I feel like I’m nothing without wildlife. They are the stars. I feel awkward without them. ~ Bindi Irwin

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Capitol Reef National Park seems to become a favorite among those who visit this stunning scenery.

Here’s some information and some photos. Check out the Navajo Knobs Trail report.

Lone pine

Bristlecone pine are iconic trees in the South West landscapes. Observing the scenery I was impressed by the different colours of the sandstone hill from which it emerged. I was told that the red colour depends on the percentage of iron content in the rock.
Capitol Reef. Utah.
Taken in RAW format, processed by Lightroom, adjusted (curves) and resized by CS3.
Please, see it in large.

Author:giuseppedr

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Here’s an interesting comment on a past blog post about beavers in the D.C. area: “I just saw a beaver in SE (not suburban) DC yesterday. I took several pictures because I could not believe what I was seeing.”

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Pikes Peak is a fourteener in Colorado, and a beautiful mountain. Here is a beautiful photo of the peak.

Pikes Peak (inspired the Poem: America The Beautuful)

Taken in the fall of 2005….before Colorado Springs “went broke”. The tree in the foreground has since died as well…!!!

…Olympus C-5050z digicam…

Author:Colorado Scenics

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