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PLEASE EVERYONE, READ THIS BLOG AND ACT TODAY.
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MAPS
I have been putting USFS Topo maps on each of our hikes. It is of courses, a work in progressed. In order to find maps I have to do a lot of research on National Forests websites. Something to keep in mind as you read our hikes, I only use USFS distances and elevation gain/loss. They are using the best equipment. If by chance I couldn’t get the numbers, I use personal GPS units If you see the word “about” before a elevation or distance, they are not USFS numbers. LOST & FOUND After a hike to Leigh Lake, Montana, I left my tent poles and a bag of tent stakes at the trailhead. Then last week after hiking Stevens Lakes, I found a bag of clothes that someone left at the trailhead. As I posted it on our HOME PAGE, that gave me an idea… Why not add a “LOST & FOUND” section. In this section anyone that finds lost items, can contact me. I will keep the specifics about what was found, to myself. If some one calls to claim the item(s), they will have to describe the container and its items in detail. If that is completed, I will work with the finder, to get the person who lost their stuff back. If a recovery is made, the owner may be responsible for any cost, like postage, etc, to get their things back. Every year I find things that are lost and wished there was a way to get the items back to the owners. Now with all our readers help, we can make this work. COMMUNICATIONS David and I would like your feedback on all aspects of our website. If you have questions, corrections, additions, and especially criticisms, I want to know. Our goal is a website that you can rely on. Every hike, paddle, or outing, has been done more than once. And extensive research is done to make sure we are correct. But we are human and mistakes happen. Please feel free to contact Chic directly by using the envelope at the bottom of each page of our website. Thank You All, for reading and using InlandNWRoutes.com Chic David InlandNWRoutes.com The 13 ESSENTIALS are one of your most important items to take with you whenever you go into Nature.
Way back in 1993-4, when I was President of the Spokane Mountaineers (SMI), I argued that the 10 ESSENTIALS were not adequate. We adopted the 13 ESSENTIALS so our members would be prepared for many situations that occur in the woods 0r on glaciers. So, why does a hiker to any of our spectacular locations, need bandages or fire starter, etc.? STUFF HAPPENS IN THE MOUNTAINS. Benjamin Franklin once said…. “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” I’ll tell you a personal story that happened to me in 1986. A group of SMI climbers were at Chimney Rock in the American Selkirks, to scale this unusual monolith. I was foolish to say the least and eventually fell 15’ and broke my fight talus. The talus is the ankle bone the your leg bone sit on. During the fall, I bounced three time, all over 6 feet. The area I fell on was vertical strata. Fortunately, there were 11 other climbers that came to my assistance. One of the climbers was a P.E. Teacher, and she had my climbing shoe off, ankle bandaged and my approach shoe on before I felt too much pain. Another climber was just back from climbing Denali, and had some great pain killers for me. One of the odd things I had was a set of high quality plastic rain pants and jacket. They became very important in my rescue. They delayed me down a steep slope using ropes to control my descent. If it weren’t for that rain suit, I would have had to walk down those slopes. About 3 years ago, I led a hike on a nice Sunday afternoon to Gold Peak? When we got to the summit, I noticed one of the girls was in physical pain. She was trying out a new pair of boots that were too small and laced too tight. She had quarter size blisters on both heels. I asked her to take off her boots and lay on her stomach so I could treat her blisters. For many decades, both privately and for the SMI, I’ve always carried in my 13 ESSENTIALS, SPENCO 2nd Skin BURN PADS. Not 2nd Skin patches. After sterilizing her blisters I cut and placed the 2nd Skins over her blisters and taped them in place. Yes, she was embarrassed, but when we descended, I saw her skipping down the trail. What you carry is your choice, but take it from me, if you do not have what you need, you could be in danger, and possible put others in danger. Check out our section on medical issues at https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/13-essentials.html But there is something even more important EVERY HIKER NEEDS TO CARRY. It weighs nothing, but can save your life or another’s life. That items is KNOWLEDGE, AND HOW TO USE YOUR KNOWLEDGE/13 ESSENTIALS. Because I lead trips, my 13 ESSENTIAL is only part on my personal ESSENTIALS. On average I carry 86 of MY PERSONAL ITEMS. Yes, it’s simply a check list that covers all situations and needs. But I can tell you…many have thank me for being prepared. PLEASE read our sections under RESOURCES AND HINTS, for additional important information. Under RESOURCES is a section on Medical Information Card (MIC). If you are found unconscious and can’t tell rescuers your name, person to call, medications and medical information, it may take precious time for EMT’s to figure out how to treat you. Years ago, I skied off a 12’ embankment and broke my heel bone. When I was taken to the Aid Room, I simply handed the patroller my MIC. It had everything they needed to process me and treat me. Going into Nature is one of our greatest pleasures. Please be prepared. That includes having your spouse carry their own emergency supplies, map, water and food. If you wander off to pee and stumble and knock yourself out, what is your spouse going to do? If your spouse stab themselves on a sharp twig, how are they going to treat their wound? Each of us, when we wander, are responsible for our selves and our fellow hikers. BE EXTRA AWARE OF YOURSELF. Everyone else becomes secondary when injured. If you have any questions or comments on anything on our website, use the envelope at the bottom of each page to contact me personally. David and I would like to thank you for reading and using our totally free, local website. Chic David InlandNWRoutes.com MISCELLANEOUS
We hope this hiking season will be good for all of us. Get out early in the season so as not to have to put up with the heat. If any of you have tips on any aspect of enjoying Nature, feel free to send us your suggestions. Did you know, you can start a fire with a plastic bottle of water? That and so much more are in RESOURCES and HINTS. Thank You all for reading and using our free, local website, Chic David InlandNWRoutes.com Hi Readers, Our trails are going to be an issue for all of us how love to hike, or even a casual stroll to places like Mount Spokane, or The Dishman Hills. PLEASE consider volunteering with the below Trail Organizations. THE SPOKANE MOUNTAINEERS, INC. Your best bet to is to Google spokanemountaineers. We have been building, maintaining, trails all around us, for over 100 years. I’d would bet that local trails around Spokane, have had our work parties doing our thing maybe many times. Currently, we are building a new connection trail at Dishman Hills Conservancy. We are the major trails group that maintain The Lower & Upper Stevens Lakes and Lone Lake next door, by Mullan, Idaho. In 1991, I personally adopted The Stevens Lakes, and Lone Lake trails. I go up to both of these areas after all non snow holidays, and for whenever I want a good workout. If you are a gardener, you will love trail work parties. Log on and see the Spokane Mountaineers at work. https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/trail-heros.html WASHINGTON TRAIL ASSOCIATION WTA is the premier trail builder and maintenance club in Washington. They are so cool, they have worked on many trails along the Washington/Idaho boarder, in Idaho. https://www.wta.org IDAHO TRAILS ASSOCIATION https://idahotrailsassociation.org Another incredible group is the Idaho Trails Association. As soon as the snow is off the ground, this organization is out building and maintaining Idaho’s many trails. They even make it up to this end of the state once in a while. INLAND NORTHWEST LANDS CONSERVANCY https://inlandnwland.org/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAA-Rxj8w_WkjciT4ol-8uBY4abn_oC&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0J_BqePRjAMVy8zCBB2yRhihEAAYASAAEgKyoPD_BwE This group is very active in all kinds of conservation. Around Spokane this organization has saved areas from being commercialized. They also work on Conservation Easements for individual land owners. And so much more. THE NATURE CONSERVANCY https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/?fa=opentothepublic,limitedaccess,closedtothepublic TNC has save areas like Cougar Bay along 95 south of CDA. They are an international organization working to save our water, oceans, and land. With their clout and human resources they are very talented in conserving many of our special areas. And do not forget Mount Spokane State Park and Riverside State Park. I have found in my life, that volunteering is way better than going to therapy. And way less expensive. And you get to play in the dirt on purpose, for fun. Then there’s the advantage of being in Nature. As the USFS is going thru severe budget cuts, WE, the user of these trails, must step up. Whenever you go on a hike in the future, stuff a dozen plastic grocery bags in your pack. Picking up other trash is no fun at all, but when you pick up others trash, someone, unbeknownst to them, in the future will reap the benefits of your good work. Not to mention the smile on your face as you head down the trail. But there’s even a more important reason to carry a dozen grocery bags. Three time, three different lakes in 2024, had campfires burning on a Wednesday left shouldering from the weekend. These bags only weight 6 grams. But those 6 grams could save an entire forests. Think of that. WOW! Get out as soon as possible, and enjoy our trails before it gets too hot. The Washington Scab Lands are warm enough to hike in shorts and tee shirts. We can be reached by using the envelope that is on the bottom of every page David and I would like to Thank You, for using our local website. Last year we had over 40,000 hits. I was ecstatic early on, when we had 100 hit in a week. Thank You, Chic David Inland NW Routes.com Hi Readers,
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