Things I take into the woods

1. A Doctors Backpacking Medkit
Medications:
 Any personal prescription medications. If you have anaphylactic allergic reactions, PLEASE
bring an epi-pen.
 Pain/inflammation: Tylenolor ibuprofen 200mg. In general, I prefer Tylenol because it is
safer than ibuprofen or similar NSAIDS. However,NSAIDS are good forachy muscles, but I
only take with food,when I’m well hydrated, and only if I really need it to keep going the
next day. NSAIDS raise blood pressure, and can cause kidney damage (particularly if you
are volumedepleted) among other adverse effects.
 Chest pain: I bring a 325 mg non-enteric coated aspirin because I’m a guy, older than 60,
and if I get chest pain consistent witha myocardial infarction(heart attack),aspirin is one
simple treatment that may improve my odds for making it out of the woodsalive.
 Traveler’s diarrhea: loperamide (aka., Imodium), and if backpacking in an economically
under-developed country (think Nepal) – an antiemetic (e.g., Zofran) and an antibiotic (e.g.,
Azithromycin)for more severe traveler’s diarrhea (experts do not recommend antibiotics
for mild cases).
 TickExposure: doxycycline(fortickbites with typicalrash in lyme endemic areas – but
beware because it causes extreme photosensitivity).
 Allergic reactions: I bring a small number of non-sedating antihistamine tabs (e.g.,
Cetirizine) because I have hay fever. Antihistamines are also useful for allergic reactions. If
you’re really concerned about skin reactions to insect bites, poison ivy, etc., then a small
tube of 1% hydrocortisone could comein handy, but in my opinion, it is not worth the
weight penalty.
All meds repackaged in small Ziploc style pill baggies to save weight and keep dry. Label
each baggie with the pill name, dose, and directions.
Pro-tip: For your doctor to prescribe antibiotics to be used at your discretion, you need to
convince your doc that you’ll use them responsibly. Do your homework to learn when
antibiotics are indicated for Lyme disease or Traveler’s Diarrhea.
Electrolytes: I use electrolytes (e.g., Nunn tabs) for the trace elements, and because I like
the taste, which helps me drink more and stay hydrated. I’m often hiking at altitude, and a
key to preventing altitude illness is to stay well hydrated. You should drink enough water
so that you urinate often and the urine is light colored. Nunn tabs and tea help me
accomplish this goal. Finally, because diarrhea leads to fluid and electrolyte losses, these
tabs are also part of my kit for treating traveler’s diarrhea.
Bandages:
 1 package steri-strips (in lieu of sutures for deep cuts);
 About 6 inches of leukotape (multipurpose, including blister prevention/treatment)
wrapped around a pen (or Nunn Tab container) and a few Hydroseal Blister bandages
(works especially well to treat heel blisters).

2. Pro-Tip: If you have regular places that blister, take a picture so that you’ll remember the
location(s), then apply leukotape as a preventive measure – before you leave home.
Pro-tip: Bandages can be purchased using a health care spending account (flex-plan)
Insect repellent: Picaridin – according to consumer reports about as effective in repelling
mosquitos as Deet and safer.
Pro-tip: At least as important as insect repellant, is treating your clothes with permethrin.
I have a set of dedicated hiking clothes that I treat with permethrin. There are three
options to accomplish this treatment: 1) buy permethrin spray (carried at REI, Walmart;
reported to be good for 6 weeks or 6 wash cycles), 2) send your clothes to Insect Shield and
they will treat them (reported to work for 70 wash cycles), or 3) buy clothes pre-treated
with permethrin (Ex Officio, Patagonia and others). I sent my core hiking clothes (socks,
pants/shorts, shirt, Buff) for treatment by Insect Shield, then used permethrin spray to
treat my trail shoes, gaiters, and hat. You don’t want to treat your underwear, and you
don’t need to treat outerwear. Compared to people wearing untreated clothes, I’m much
less bothered by mosquitos and haven’t pulled off a tick since I began using this approach.
Sunscreen: any non-fragrant SPF30 or higher and SPF lip balm. (Non-fragrant so that I
don’t become a tasty morsel for mosquitos or bears).
I repackage all liquids in labelled small travel bottles or small pump sprays recycled from
other products.
Optional:
 Tick key: facilitates tick removal
 Triple antibiotic (0.5 gm foil packets are lightest): I don’t bring this but it could be
useful for cuts and abrasions.
 Alcohol wipes (2” * 2”): These serve double duty. They are useful to clean
cuts/abrasions and also to clean equipment (e.g., inflatable sleep pads) before
applying patches. I typically bring a couple of these
In future posts, I’ll address ways I prepare for the trail to maximize my chances for staying
healthy and for managing some common ailments (e.g., plantar fasciitis, blisters, norovirus,
altitude illness)