Posted on by Susan Alcorn

Susan Alcorn’s Hiking and Backpacking Newsletter, April 2025

 

Susan Alcorn’s Hiking and Backpacking Newsletter#304 (April 2025)

  • Susan Alcorn’s Hiking and Backpacking Newsletter#304 (April 2025)

    Contents:
    #1. Bay Nature Magazine – Conservation Canines
    #2. THURSDAY, April 10. Camino 101: The Basics
    Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask
    #3. For women only: A special Zoom presentation, “Women on the Camino,” scheduled for THURSDAY, April 17.
    #4. Insect Repellents

    Articles:
    #1. Bay Nature Magazine – Conservation Canines. Join Bay Nature Magazine and researcher Karen DeMatteo for a virtual talk about how conservation scientists are teaming up with dogs and their acute senses of smell on Wednesday, May 7, from 12 – 1pm. Conservation detection dogs (CDD) are a valuable, noninvasive tool that has opened doors for ecological and environmental studies, allowing difficult to answer questions to be addressed in a data-driven manner. Come learn about CDDs and how they are driving change for conservation! This talk is free for members and $5 for nonmembers.
    Registration: https://baynature.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/baynature/eventRegistration.jsp?event=446

    #2. (Still Spots Open)
    Camino 101: The Basics
    Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask

    Thursday, April 10, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
    Virtual Zoom Presentation  by the Nor Cal Chapter of American Pilgrims
    Is your head spinning because you’d love to walk the Camino de Santiago but don’t know where to start (both literally and metaphorically)? We’ll screw your head on straight in just one hour. We’ll cover the What and the How, not to mention the Who, Why, Where, Which, and When, and by the time we’re done, you’ll be rearing at the gates, all primed to get started. Presenter: Andy Cohn, seasoned Camino trekker and Northern California Chapter Co-Coordinator

    Here’s what you’ll learn:
    What is the Camino?
    What’s its history?
    Who walks it?
    Why do they walk it?
    What makes it special?
    Overview of the Camino Frances
    Guidebooks / Apps / Websites
    Navigation (Even I can’t get lost)
    Eating (It ain’t about the food)
    Sleeping (Hostals vs. hostels)
    Gear: Going light
    The pilgrim passport and your merit badge (aka the Compostela)
    Shipping or transporting your extra junk
    Getting there and getting around
    Electronics and how to stay connected
    Reserving on the fly (or winging it)
    Money and costs

    There will be time for Q&A after the presentation. This presentation will be recorded and shared with our community.

    Nor Cal Chapter Calendar of Upcoming Activities: https://americanpilgrims.org/la-concha/inspire_events_categories/nor-cal/

    #3. Women on the Camino. Also coming up for the Nor Cal Camino Group, for women only: A special Zoom presentation, “Women on the Camino,” scheduled for April 17. Look for an announcement soon! Panelists to include Laurie Ferris, Susan Alcorn, and Laurie Reynolds. And the possibility that Kate Stewart will be joining in.

    Nor Cal Chapter Calendar of Upcoming Activities: https://americanpilgrims.org/la-concha/inspire_events_categories/nor-cal/

    #4. Insect Repellents: The CDC has recommended insect repellents containing one of the following active ingredients” that are EPA registered: Picaridin, DEET, IR3535,oil of lemon eucalyptus for its synthetic derivative PMD.

    Reminders:
    1.Apply sunscreen first, but be aware that the repellent will reduce the effectiveness of the sunscreen so reapply often.
    2. Apply the repellent lightly – no need for heavy application

    1. If you hands come in contact with the repellent, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. After you are done with outside activities, wash skin thoroughly with soap and water.
    2. If traveling where mosquitoes carry diseases like malaria, wear long sleeved shirts and long pants tucked into socks. Stay indoors when insects are most active – generally Sleep under mosquito netting if possible.

    Summarized from August 2024 issue of the Wellness Letter. WellnessLetter.Online. com

    *************************

    Happy Trails
    Susan Alcorn

    Susan ‘backpack45’ Alcorn
    Shepherd Canyon Books, Oakland, CA
    https://www.susandalcorn.com
    https://www.backpack45.com

    Author of Walk, Hike, Saunter: Seasoned Women Share Tales and Trails; Healing Miles: Gifts from the Caminos Norte and Primitivo; Patagonia Chronicle: On Foot in Torres del Paine; We’re in the Mountains Not over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers; and Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago.

    Thank you everyone. Stay well, keep hiking when prudent. I encourage you to send in items of interest to the hiking community to me at backpack45 “at sign” yahoo.com

    Hiking and backpacking can be risky endeavors. Surely over the last couple of months you have heard, or read about some wilderness rescues. Dayhikes can go bad – people get lost and have to spend the night (nights) outdoors. Always be prepared for emergencies and carry food, water, shelter (warm clothing, etc.), flashlight/headlamp, matches, first aid supplies, and maps. Cell phones don’t always work. Leave word where you are traveling and when you are due back.