Adventuring in the San Diego Backcountry - How to Prep!

A few weekends ago, myself and a few other adventurers, trekked into rarely seen and explored local areas.

We conducted scientific and anthropological observations for regional environmental assessments. It was vital data gathering to analyze the health and well-being of headwater ecosystems.

Those 10 hours of hiking was spent notating flora and fauna, both native and invasive. We encountered beautiful, untouched, creek beds, anthropological leave behinds (recent and Native) and plenty of frogs, flowers, and wildlife tracks!

It was also 10 hours of fighting poison oak. EVERYWHERE. It even slapped me across the cheek at one point. Mid way through the day, we did stop to wash our faces and hands with TechNu to help avoid breakouts.

We also ran for the creek at one point because we saw fire ants starting to cover our boots. Brushed off plenty of ticks too.

So for this experience, I needed my day pack and poison oak avoidance preparation.

Here is what I did -

Day Pack List:

10 Essentials (10 Essentials)

Extra Water

InReach GPS

Sandwiches/Snacks (in reusable bags and wax paper)

Poison Oak Preparation:

Post Hike Preparation – Change of clothes, Towel, Bag

Return Preparation – Bag, change of clothes, laundry staged

Here is the combination I used to decontaminate myself and hiking gear of Poison Oak.

Poison Oak Decom:

Decom/Protection Steps:

#1 Change clothes after hiking; put contaminated clothes in separate bag

#2 Arrive home – Clothes immediately in wash; Run wash by itself (empty) after your load

#3 Use Technu Click me to decomm your body

#4 Clean Gear and your car

#5 Do more laundry

How To Decom:

Self:

Technu – Kind of pricey, but worth it (Technu); I did not break out!

Apply Technu on dry skin (rubbing vigorously); wait 2 mins

Shower with tepid/cool water (according to instructions); hot water will open pores – not good!

(Taking a cold shower when you are already cold is a bit rough)

Clothes:

Wash clothes (some say to use TechNu - Technu). Run washer by itself after (with soap). (Be kind to your family/neighbors).

Gear:

Items Needed (borrow/obtain from your Community if can) -

Bucket

Rubber Gloves

Soap (strong stuff that can break down oils - Like Dawn)

Rubbing Alcohol (I used 91% proof)

Safe space to house all of your gear

Wash Rag

How: Use hot, soapy water and apply all over your gear. Afterwards, use the Rubbing Alcohol to help with the removal of the oils.

Poison Oak oils can survive on gear up to a year or so!!!!

Also, check for ticks - multiple times...they love to hide in dark, damp places on your body.

Overall, I am truly grateful for that unbelievable experience.

As always, following strict Leave No Trace principles (https://lnt.org/learn/7-principles). Especially, prior to departure, removing any debris from clothes, boots, etc that may take invasive flora/fauna into these special places. We picked up plenty of beer and cola cans in these remote places (hunters).

(After getting home later that night, I had dreams of aggressive tree branches, ticks, fire ants, falling in the river, wet boots and sun blindness).