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Article 4

February 14, 2012

By Jim Dashiell, MD

Tribune Columnist

  Funnybone returns for another article about the Appalachian Trail. Today I'll try to answer questions I've received about safety along the trail. Yes, black bears are a constant threat along it's length but less so in the New England states where the moose seem to be what everyone is watching out for. It's been said that a moose looks like what a kindergarten class might come up with if they were asked to draw a cow. Every night on the trail you should suspend your food in a bag from a tree limb that is 10 feet off the ground and 6 feet from the tree trunk so bears will not come into your tent investigating the smell of Twinkies or something. Usually the bears will flee when they see you but should you accidentally get between a mother bear and her cubs there could be severe consequences.

  Then there are the poisonous snakes. Rattlesnakes are a constant risk after the weather warms up. They tend to live in the woods and, well, that's where the Trail is too. I saw one in Maryland when I was on the Trail in June for a practice hike. Beautiful animal but bad attitude. Also copper heads like to sun themselves on the rocks that I'll be hiking over. Another dreaded menace is the hoards of mosquitoes, black flies, yellow jackets, ticks and gnats that seem to relish the thought of hiker season and thrive on Deet. If you're not moving fast or in your tent you become an unwilling blood donor. The tick bite carries the real risk of Lyme disease and the Trail runs right through some of the areas where the greatest number of Lyme disease cases are diagnosed in the whole country.

  The most universally despised critter on the trail is, however, the mouse. They thrive living in or near the shelters hikers frequent finding crumbs, food supplies or deliciously smelly clothes to gnaw on. Mice can eat through a $300 back pack quickly to investigate, scramble over your face while you try to sleep, chew holes in your otherwise waterproof tent to snoop around and leave their droppings in your shoes, hat, etc. A recent hiker declared war on the mice and carried mouse traps that he set up in the shelters. His one night record was 12 mice caught.

  There is also the risk of locals who live along the Trail that might take advantage of the aloneness of hikers. More than a few people have had their hikes terminated by having their pack with all their gear in it stolen. This, however, is very rare. Most people who live along the trail are kind and generous to these smelly, dirty total strangers that show up out of the woods only to be gone again in a few hours.

  Remember, I'm combining my attempted thru hike of the AT with a fundraiser for Mustard Seed and would appreciate the opportunity to speak with any group about the trail and/or Mustard Seed.

  Additionally, I want to invite you to come to the Tipton County Public Library in Tipton on Feb. 20 to meet and hear a friend of mine who hiked the entire trail about 15 years ago and wrote a book about it. Her book is the greatest single thing that has inspired me the most to attempt this voyage. The book is There are Mountains to Climb by Jean Deeds. The trouble will start at 6:30 p.m.. Be there and learn something.