“But why do you care?”

A peer in class asked me this question last week, which is disappointing as we are in a Master’s program to be Mental Health Counselors, a title and position which at its core, calls for professionals to care about those who are likely different from themselves.

I will keep this post short-ish, in the hopes that it will encourage any readers to stay with me until the end.

I feel that if you belong to the majority who is actively and historically at fault for discriminating against and persecuting the minority, that it is your responsibility to act in a way that breaks this cycle of oppression.

I would rather be called a “snowflake” or “social justice warrior” and be told I care too much (and piss people off for challenging their ignorant views) than continue to perpetuate stereotypes or contribute to institutions and systems designed to have us fear the “other”, especially as I believe we have more in common than those with the loudest voices would have us believe.

**plus, as a woman I have been called worse than the aforementioned names, so like, really? Snowflake? Do you see how enough of those can bring things to a halt?

I do not believe that just because the faces being deported, shot by police, fleeing their home lands, or any other number of circumstances do not look like my own, or do not share the same exact struggle or experiences as me, that this is a reason for me to turn a blind eye or say “yeah I don’t care because this doesn’t affect my life at all”.

At the end of the day, we are all human and all want the same things at our cores (see Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for an intro to psych level explanation). I will continue to lend my voice (or ear) to those who need it, and continue to challenge myself to do better and learn more about who I am and what my position is in the many interacting systems I live in.

March.

So I know this has been designed to be my hiking blog, but I am in the process of restricting it to where “heading north” is more of a metaphor for aligning myself with my own true north, aka being true to myself and all that good stuff. So, now that the disclaimer is out of the way, let’s talk about some things that will likely make certain people uncomfortable or angry to read. I encourage you to read it anyways & if you disagree with anything I say, comment and let’s start a discussion.

Today was the March For Our Lives as most of you probably know. A time for citizens across demographics to come together to unite and take a stand to urge politicians to create gun control policies and reform those that have failed our country.

I am frustrated. Not because of the actions of the many, but because of the reactions of a few. People who continue to call survivors and activists “crybabies” “snowflakes”, and “uninformed children”. That last one really sticks with me. Let’s look at the Parkland shooting for an explanation of why that comment is not only toxic but flawed. We live in a country where these students, most of whom will be of voting age within a year or so, are expected to know what they want to do with their lives when they graduate high school, can buy their own guns/weapons, and can serve in our military, but yet are discredited as “whiny children” by those who fear their 2nd amendment might be at risk.

America as a individualistic society has a culture where autonomy is valued and seen as a strength, even amongst children and teenagers. To give the aforementioned things to the youth of our country and then deny them their voices seems a bit backwards to me. We want our kids to be strong and independent and well adjusted, but when they become too opinionated, too vocal or challenge the norm too much, we cast it off as teenage rebellion or revoke their “adulthood?” I think it’s something to consider, especially when they’re often stuck between the “oh kids these days don’t care about anything” and “these children are our future, they give me so much hope!”

Moving on. (This is likely where I’ll lose some of you, but if you’ve made it this far, keep reading please)

Gun control policies will not create all of the changes we need to see, but it is a good place to start.

These policies will not decrease the murders in communities where illegal weapons are used to take lives. Additionally as long as police officers are armed with guns, prejudice, and the backing of a series of institutions with racist practices, we will still see women, men, and children dying from senseless gun violence. And I know some of you are thinking “but not all cops are racist!” And you’re right, but they do all work as part of a system that is. Read this next part and let it sit with you.

Black Lives Matter.

And before you start with “all lives matter!” “Blue lives matter!” Please note that I am not negating that those things are true, it is just a nonnegotiable fact that African Americans are being persecuted and killed at a higher rate than really any other group in our country, either by police brutality, discriminatory practices and policies, or by mass incarceration. Let’s compare. Say I was out in my neighborhood and the police came looking in the neighborhood for someone allegedly smashing car windows. When they get near me, I run, and I run into my backyard. Are the police going to bust into the backyard to get me? Or would they knock on the front door? When they find me talking on my phone, would they “mistake it” for a crowbar, oh no wait, a gun, and shoot me 20 times? Nope.

If I were walking home through my neighborhood and had a hoodie on, would I get shot by my neighbor and then have people line up to buy the gun he killed me with on EBay? Or have my picture on the news be one that portrays me in a negative way? Nope.

If I were selling loose cigarettes in front of a bodega, would I be strangled and then have my last words of “I can’t breathe” be mocked by cops wearing shirts saying “I CAN breathe”?

If I was in the car with my girlfriend or boyfriend, with our kid in the back, and got pulled over for a minor thing, told the cop I was licensed to carry, showed him my license and said “I’m just reaching for my wallet, it’s in my back pocket” would I be shot multiple times as my GF/BF and my child screamed in horror? No I wouldn’t.

The truth is, if you are white, you walk away from these things. If you aren’t, every police encounter is a guessing game. That is only one of about a million reasons why we need to extend these reforms to include policies that dismantle the criminal justice system. Not reform, if we reform, the racist practices and policies will just evolve again, as they have done since the US prison system was developed.

So I’ll say it again, and I’ll continue to say it Black Lives Matter. I’ll also continue to show up, to use my voice, my privilege and whatever platform I have to be an effective ally. I owe it to those men, women, and children who have had their breath drained from their lungs by a bullet, to make use of every breath I take, and to make sure they are not forgotten.

Off

Ladies & Gents, I’m sorry for the radio silence. If that hasn’t been a sign of what you’re about to read, let me say it for you here & now. I am officially off the trail again, this time with not a lot left to finish.

It has taken me a little while to process the “why’s” of my ending my hike, and securing that I am a LASHER (long-ass section hiker) and not a thru hiker. I was mad about that label for awhile, but have now decided to claim it. Within this specific hiking community, section hikers tend to look down on their own accomplishments because they’re “not as legit as a thru hiker”, or haven’t done the whole thing in one go. Well, let me say that I’ve had more fun hiking smaller sections than I have just trying to drag my tired, injured self crazy miles a day.  Not trying to throw shade at thru hikers, they are undoubtedly beasts and athletes, I just personally enjoy the process better with smaller sections & feel the end of each section is like reaching a smaller goal/checkpoint that builds up to the finish line/big goal.

Another “why” is that I was feeling mentally, physically & spiritually weak. I was away from my family & putting strain on them/other relationships with the distance and demands of supporting a long distance hiker. Entering the Whites, I felt my body start to seize up & also couldn’t carry my pack comfortably due to a laceration that went from the top of my shoulder to inside of my armpit (pro tip: wear a t-shirt not a tank top to prevent this from happening). 

Cute, right? This is a few days off trail, where it had healed a little, so picture this but much more inflamed/gross/wicked hard to keep clean/protected while hiking.

(Anyways, back to business)

Two things hit me after this wonderful injury, and after hiking Moosilauke with my brother, father & dog, I need to feel physically strong before I can finish this trail & I really wasn’t enjoying hiking by myself. I was watching the sunset on Greylock when the want to hike with others really set in. Thankfully I was able to share the moment with the nice couples I had dinner with, but still I was painfully aware that the next morning I would be hiking out alone. 

Sharing the summit of Moosilauke with my family made that nearly treacherous hike even more worthwhile. Standing in the parking lot after the insane downhill & basking in the “holy crap we just did that!” Type of joy that accompanies a share accomplishment, solidified that this was a memory we would all share. When I referenced some beautiful sight we saw that day, it was refreshing to have someone know exactly what I meant. I also probably would’ve injured myself had I been hiking alone that day due to the trail conditions, so it’s not just helpful to have people with you for company and memories, but for safety as well (duh).

My plan now is to condition the hell out of my body, follow the training regimen I had been doing prior to hiking, but also condition myself mentally to be able to finish what is easily the hardest section of the trail. When I summit Katahdin, I will be worthy of standing on that sign, I want to be my strongest self. I’m not saying I’m not worthy or capable of it now, it just didn’t feel like the right time to push on and finish. 

For now, I’m back at camp (surprise, surprise) & enjoying the routine and familiarity of it all. I’m prepping myself and my life for grad school and the challenges that will bring & trying to remember to stretch everyday. I’m reconnecting with myself & my poetry writing self, which explains the lack of attention this page has been getting. 

I’m really just genuinely happy right now & it feels fantastic. Even on the toughest, 1,000 degree day, I’m walking around smiling and confident in my actions/choices & with myself in general. It’s a truly freeing feeling to know who you are and what you’re about/what you bring to the table, and I encourage you all to reflect on yourself and make the changes necessary (if any) to feel fulfilled.

It’s my goal to post on here at least once a week, just to update on progress & also so I can keep myself accountable. I honestly feel too as though “heading north” has become less of a literal thing & more of a metaphorical journey of finding my true north and following it. 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend & catch a sunset or two with someone you love. Be nice to each other and to yourself, and enjoy the process. 🙂

Congratulations!

You’ve all won the chance to come hike with me! 

I’m currently right outside of Woodstock VT, and will be in Etna NH in about 3 days, so if you’ve ever wanted to come spend some time hiking with me in the woods, let’s see if we can make it happen!

Let me know! I’d love the company to help me get over this mental barrier 

Relearning old lessons

The best part of hiking the AT? The trail deja vu (or however you spell that).

I realize now how helpful having Finn with me was to helping me pace myself. Sure, having him with me made a lot of things more difficult (I.e. Finding rides/rooms/resupply) but he really did help me pace myself.

Basically, I’m starting to feel that all too familiar tension in my hip again. My guess would be from doing big mile days all week, through mud, and uphill. I knew I shouldn’t have tried days in the teens (including a 16.7 mile day) when I was starting back out, but did I listen to my brain? Nope. So now I am resting up and taking a zero that wasn’t planned (after taking another zero that wasn’t planned).

Am I bummed out? Absolutely not. I got to spend time with my dad, I have a salad and a panini to eat, and also, am watching baseball in a nice motel room. 

Am I nervous about moving forward from here? Absolutely. I’m going to spend time today stretching and resting my hip, but am nervous about proceeding into the last stretch of VT & the first part of NH. But hey, I’m relearning that old lesson that if I want to be successful, I have to listen to myself and take my time.

This is the last bit of the trail and also the part I’ve most been looking forward to, since I know it will be wicked tough, (especially considering I’m not the biggest fan of some of NH’s mountains where you’re up on a peak that is super steep & one wrong move could be super not good for you). 

I plan on trying to slackpack at some point in NH (and maybe even Maine) so I can cover more ground, and not have to worry about my pack weighting me down. I’m pretty sure I could do a few big mile days (like, big-big, maybe 20 or so) if I just had a day pack with lunch and water in it, so we shall see!

All I know is, I never want to feel as weak as I did when I came off of the trail last year. To be told “oh no, you can’t lift that” or “just take it easy and rest, we will take care of it” (especially at work) was the absolute worst. So, if it means “only” doing 10 mile days, I will “only” do that. I’m about to be facing actual mountains and don’t want to miss out because I pushed myself to hard too soon.

Good news? The hammock setup is really a lot better than my tent. I used it a few nights this week & each time I woke up feeling rested. It is an adjustment, and I’m still trying to figure out how to perfectly set it up, but hey, it has already paid off!

The last leg!

Helllooooo everybody! I’ve missed you all & I apologize for the radio silence! 

So, let’s get into the details!

As of today, I am back on the trail (have about 2 days left of MA & then I’ll be in VT). I took some time off (okay, about a month and a half…but who is counting?) I felt the need to go back and work the spring Connects season at the job I love so much, and hopefully get my camp fix. Well, I’m happy to report, it worked!

Taking the time to be with family and friends (and dogs, lots of dogs) has set me back, but also refueled my want to finish this trail.

But Hannah, what changed?

Well, when you listen to yourself, good things happen! Additionally I met some new friends via work that really helped me appreciate myself (not like I didn’t before, but their perspectives challenged how I view myself). These three lovely ladies have a sisterhood focused on the importance of recognizing your worth & building you up so you realize how worthy you are. 

Now, I did just meet them (so hopefully they don’t mind being featured here), but they all individually helped me realize different things about myself, which was then multiplied when we all hung out together. 

Don’t get me wrong, I knew I was worthy of great things before I met them, but I left those conversations feeling validated with who I am and what I’m doing, and re-energized, enough to the point where I can be out here on my own, about to face the toughest 3 states of the trail.

So, shoutout to the Worthy Crew, thank you all for letting me into your world!

But wait, there’s more!

These last few weeks at home allowed me to reconnect with the more fun loving side of myself, and I owe that to all of my friends and family. I hadn’t realized that I had gotten to the point of taking myself so seriously, that I couldn’t cut loose and let myself be silly/carefree. 

Here’s the amazing part, you ready? I hope I can finish the trail this summer (lord knows I want to move on to the next adventure), but I no longer am stressing. I’m sure part of this is due to being closer to home & my support system, but also I want to actually enjoy myself. I didn’t realize I had reverted back to the “go go go!” Mentality that I had last year. Sure, I still have that drive, but I’m also going to take the time and count how many frogs I’ve seen today (25), or take the time to laugh at the fact that some random hiker saw me dancing like a fool, and the proceed to slip in the mud & fall (landed on my ribs, no good, but I’m okay).

So after today, I now have 620.4 miles left.

Which, by the way, is INSANE. 

Tomorrow I’ll do either 13.9 or 17.2…if I do the 13.9, I’ll be at the shelter right before Greylock, if I do the 17.2, I’ll be at the bunkhouse on the top of Greylock. It doesn’t look like TOO bad of a day elevation wise, but this is also the book of lies, so who knows!

Tough things from day 1:

1) taking all that time off destroyed my trail legs (though I was belaying and stuff all day during my time off, so it could be worse)

2) I have a sinus infection right now, which is making it challenging to breathe/not feel dizzy/the list goes on.

3) Massachusetts is MUD CITYYY. Which isn’t bad & I’m kind of having fun with it, but hiking in wet shoes all day is already becoming an issue.

4) somehow my pack is WICKED heavy.

GREAT THINGS:

1) I wasn’t the only hiker on the trail today

2) I got an ice cream that was pretty good

3) I wrote a poem I feel pretty good about

4) I hiked further (farther?) than I meant to today, which was tough in the moment, but now tomorrow I can choose a shorter day or longer day.

5) I had a friend offer to join me next week, so hopefully she will!

Updates!

Hello everybody!

Just wanted to fill you all in on my journey and the changes to the plan! I’m currently home for a mini trailcation, which (if everything goes well) will be the last trailcation I take before finishing the AT!

I have 3.5 states left to go & will be starting the last 639.8 mile leg of my trip next Tuesday afternoon. I’ll be heading out of Lee MA, and would love to be in touch with those of you who’ve said they’d like to hike in VT/NH/ME with me! Of course if you’d like to hike that last bit of MA with me, that’s fine too, but with my mid-week start date it might not be the easiest thing for you to get out there & it could be tough logistically.

MA should take about 3-4 days to finish & then I’ll be on to VT. I figured out that I should basically be finished with this hike in about 2 months so that’s pretty cool & very surreal. 

*I need to find a black lab/black shepherd stuffed animal to bring with me when I summit, if anyone has any leads on said item, please let me know!

The other update is that I am currently awaiting the arrival of my hammock setup & am so happy to be making the switch. Sure, it’s a little freaky to be making a major gear change this late in the game & with not the most experience, but good news is if something goes completely wrong, I can use said hammock as a tent, or just sleep in a shelter. I think I can manage, it’s not my first time hammocking, I just hope I have everything! (Good news is I have some time to test out my setup before I leave)

Homelessness & the Trail

I am currently queuing up posts with the answers to your fabulous questions, but I need to take a moment to switch gears and write this.

As I’m sure you all know, I am not homeless. Surprise! 

But people in these small towns/state parks see a girl walking by herself & carrying everything she owns on her back, and they assume that I am. You’d be surprised at how many people live within sight of the AT/the mountains & don’t even know the trail is there. Now folks, I don’t really care that people are wary of a tattooed stranger walking through their town (who 99% of the time smells like death), but I DO care that we still treat the homeless like they are less than, or speak to them/treat them differently. 

I’ve had people give me the stank eye and look at me from head to toe & either decide to offer me help, or not even respond when I say “hello”. When I say I’m hiking the AT their attitudes change & suddenly I have value again. I’m a story, I’m no longer dangerous, I’m an inspiration. How messed up is that? When did we decide that this is how we treat people who probably need our help the most?

I saw an elderly homeless man sleeping by the lake this morning, while I was walking to breakfast. I stopped in the gift shop to grab a few things & grabbed an extra water to offer him on my way back to the room. Well, as I was walking towards him, I saw a park staff tell him that he can’t sleep there, and that he needs to move. This struck me as odd because yesterday there were at least 10 people snoozing on that same grass, and no one bothered them. Dude wasn’t bothering anyone, just enjoying the sun and resting, same as the others.

I’m not sure what the solution is to homelessness. After working at the shelter, I’m even more confused (but still hopeful) about what that looks like. I can tell you that compassion goes a long way & would challenge you all to just help someone today, or listen to someone who you’d usually tune out. Even if they aren’t homeless, just like, see if you can challenge the way you see someone & be compassionate.

Drink water & spread good vibes today. 

Landscapes!

The next batch of bonus points go to Gregg W, aka everybody’s favorite science guy! Well…maybe tied with Bill Nye? Anyways! 

Note: I’m currently reading the word landscapes like land-sca-pes (like escape in “Finding Nemo”) so that’s fun!

I have intentionally stopped taking pictures of these beautiful places, not because I want to keep them a secret, but because the camera never captures these spots the way my brain does, so I’d rather remember them how I saw them, instead of how my camera tells me they looked (if that makes sense). The one exception to this, is this picture, which composition wise isn’t great, but is my favorite picture I’ve taken while on the trail.

So far the best landscapes have been down in the south. I was fortunate enough to hike through the Smokies last year a week or two before the devastating fires 

Another note: if you plan on lighting fires, make sure you know how to properly put them out before you breakdown camp. 

I remember hiking up and around Clingman’s Dome & trudging through the last of the winter snow as it mixed with spring mud, and thinking “man, being at a higher elevation is WEIRD”. There was this one point where I climbed up to a peak/ridge line & was battered by strong winds, but also amazing views of the valleys below. I was up in the clouds in the most surreal way, and from here it only got better. I turned a corner and saw the weird shape of the man-made, Bond villain HQ known as Clingman’s Dome & instantly recognized a familiar smell that I didn’t realize how much I’d been missing. 

There was (and hopefully still is) a pine forest right before and right after the structure, and I was instantly transported back to hiking in the Whites with my family. That’s such a happy smell for me, that I actually carried a broken bough with me for the duration of the Smokies. 

Hiking down from Clingman’s dome, I was greeted by some absolutely beautiful trees & moss covered everything. There were streams with the freshest/best tasting water I’ve ever had, and the air was just so clean. Honestly it was like living in a Bob Ross painting & if I could go back to that section, I would in an instant. 
The Grayson Highlands were equally as amazing, but for different reasons. It was hilarious to see wild PONIES. Not wild horses, not mustangs, wild PONIES. Little Oompa Loompa type animals who could still beat you up, but who are maybe 3-5 feet tall, so you’d probably be okay. I spent about 2.5 hours just sitting with the ponies & soaking in the sun. Seeing the sunset and hearing whinnies and the clip-clop of tiny hooves on packed dirt, was magical. 

The hike into the highlands was tough but rewarding with its panoramic views. This was the day when I got lost & had to jump over a “barbed wire” fence, and then crawl under another fence just to get back on the trail. Still, perfect day. There’s a bald part of the highlands where I hiked alongside a coyote for a couple of hundred feet, and then half a mile later saw a mare and her newborn foals. I also saw a long horn at a water source & was taken aback by the size of it, but also how sweet it was. I sat near it for a little while & just was in awe.

New Jersey has completely changed my image of what New Jersey looks like (same with NY so far). It feels so great to finally be near actual bodies of water, and to see these lakes and rivers just look like diamonds in the sun. I keep having moments where I’ll be on the trail & it will feel so familiar, like I’m right back in Hingham on one of the trails I frequent there. The Stairway to Heaven in NY/NJ was a tough climb (mostly due to the flies) but the view was one that I won’t soon forget. I’d argue that LeHigh gap in PA (the Superfund Site), while at points looking like the moon due to the smelting, is the best part of PA.

Why? Well because it’s a terrifying pile of shifting boulders/slate shards, but once you get past that point (think elephant graveyard in “The Lion King”), you enter an area where you’re reminded that nature will take over and bounce back/reclaim its space, and I think that’s a beautiful thing.

I’m sooo excited to enter MA & eventually VT/NH/ME. Nothing against Connecticut, but my heart is just set on finally climbing Greylock, hiking on the Long Trail, challenging myself with the NH peaks & seeing that view from the lake in Maine, where you can see Katahdin almost within reach.

I’ve come to the conclusion that hiking the AT ruins/spoils you. Once you see the beauty of a particular landscape, you’re constantly trying to top that in your brain. I try to stay present and grateful, challenging myself to find the beauty in any hike or whatever my surroundings may be, but it’s hard to maintain that when you go back to small hikes with no views.

I still miss the ocean, but I’ll get there eventually! I’m currently at the Bear Mtn recreation area/Hessian lake and it is soooo beautiful here! I have to make note of that, because I see so much, that I am constantly trying to remember all the beautiful places and not just the big places everyone remembers and visits (#hipsterhikerlogic?)

Harper’s Ferry was also a really cool little piece of history (looked like a movie set), I don’t remember specifics, but do remember hiking out of there past the river & thinking “woah, this place is pretty flippin pretty” (plus there were like, 1,000 butterflies that day so that was cool!)

I know there’s more that I’m forgetting, but there’s so much that has been covered! If it has moss, springs & pines (or any other cool looking trees), chances are I’ll love it! 🙂

Treating Injuries

This post is a response to Lizzie’s question on the Q&A (thank you for participating/you get bonus points!!)

Hey Lizzie! Thank you for the question!

For starters, I am thankful that (knock on wood) we haven’t had any severe injuries while on the trail. After my hike-ending injury last time, I completely switched how I approach injuries on the trail. 

Prevention is key. 

I feel like this is something many long distance hikers ignore, so I’ll say it again

Prevention is KEY!

For me this starts by judging the trail profile each day and seeing what seems manageable as far as miles go. What does the map tell me? Is it a day of big climbs and steep downhills? Or flat farmland? If it’s a tough day/notably rocky day, we’ll do 12 miles tops, if it’s flat, we can do closer to 20. 

I’m super prone to heat exhaustion & dehydration, so making myself eat throughout the day/drink water/use electrolyte tablets is a big part of my routine. It’s easier to take care of myself when Finn is with me, as I feel I can justify to myself that stopping every hour is worth it. 

Basically I follow his lead (weird, right?) I figure he is a dog & has better instincts than I do. If he stops, I stop. If he sits down in the shade, so do I. (This also comes in handy on tough uphills when there’s no clear path, let the dog lead the way & you’ll have a safe and easier path up).

Being flexible is also important (both literally and figuratively). Stretching before during and after helps me stay one step ahead of my hip and knee problems, being flexible with miles? That just helps us stay safe. 

When prevention doesn’t cut it, here’s the secret to success: know how to treat yo self.

Treat yo self!

I’m all about being in the woods & having the full experience, but that’s not always the safest option. If either of us are seriously hurting & there’s a bed near by that we can take advantage of? You better believe we’ll be going there. 

I get gnarly blisters when I first start hiking (my pinky toes kind of tuck under the “ring” toe & cause issues…TMI? Probably), and nothing helps more than a place to soak and use epsom salt. Also, a trick of the trade is to mix calamine lotion with baby powder/gold bond & apply to the area to help things dry out. (Shout out to Tracy for teaching me that one!)

I’m Wilderness First Aid trained & approach hiking from the mindset that being a smart & safe hiker is much more effective than only caring about crushing huge miles each day. I can’t be successful if my body is under the added strain of a hurt foot or dehydrated or whatever, so I’ll take the time and treat myself! Plus this way I get to see more of the towns the trail passes through & meet all sorts of people who I wouldn’t have met otherwise!

But also, treat yourself. 

I carry a bigger first aid kit than most hikers do, and while it adds weight, it gives me piece of mind. I’ve got the usual things, tweezers, ibuprofen, band aids, neosporin, alcohol wipes, alll the generic goodies you can find.
I also have doggy Imodium & pain Medicine that our vet prescribed to us just in case he drinks bad water or is looking stiff after a long day. I also have these medical dog booties in case he gets a cut on his foot or I otherwise need to stop him from getting at his feet. We haven’t had to use them yet, but they weigh next to nothing, so I don’t mind.

With the heat of the summer, and with having a black dog that admittedly could out hike ANYONE (seriously he could go from Georgia to Maine in like 4 weeks), heat exhaustion is one of my top concerns for Finn. I use mushers secret to protect his paws from hot and cold rocks/surfaces, but will also soak my buff in cold water and put  it around his neck to cool him off. If we’re in a hotel (or if I have an article of clothing I can spare) I’ll soak that in cool water and cover him with it to cool him down. 

He has splintered his dewclaw a few times, but not to the point of becoming a real issue, it’s just something I keep an eye on. 

As far as the growing concern with Lyme, I will say that ticks are the WORST. He is on a monthly flea/tick/heart worm pill combo and has a Seresto collar. The combination has worked well! I’ve found maybe 6 ticks on him this week, which sounds bad, but could be way worse (plus there was only 1 that was partially latched on, the others just get stuck in his fur).

For my own tick prevention, I have treated everything I have with me with permethrin & that has been a life saver. My pack, my tent, all my clothes, boom. No ticks. The only things not sprayed are my sleeping bag & sleeping pad.
So, long story short? Prevention and listening to what my body and what my dog are telling me. When prevention is not enough, it’s time to get off the trail and give myself time. 🙂