compass_bearing_north Posted April 12, 2003 Share Posted April 12, 2003 Many caches that I have visited are surrounded by poison oak. I cannot visit these because the oils irritate my skin. Please place caches away from poisonous plants! Quote Link to comment
+wimseyguy Posted April 12, 2003 Share Posted April 12, 2003 Naah, that would lower the difficulty rating by at least a half star! How does a topic with only the original post get a five check rating anyhow? These changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes; Nothing remains quite the same. Through all of the islands and all of the highlands, If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane Quote Link to comment
+HartClimbs Posted April 12, 2003 Share Posted April 12, 2003 I think poison oak irritates just about everyone's skin! Many of the NJ swamp caches are in or around poison ivy and I've never really had a problem. Recently, while caching on a trip in California - I learned what a poison oak reaction felt like (must...not...scratch!). You bring up an interesting point, I'd suggest that anyone hunting caches at least be aware of what poison ivy, oak, and sumac look like (and carry a good hiking stick to help move the vines aside!). The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' (I found it!) but 'That's funny ...' Isaac Asimov (1920 - 1992) Quote Link to comment
+RichardMoore Posted April 12, 2003 Share Posted April 12, 2003 I suggest reading 'Nature's Revenge' by Susan Carol Hauser. I think I've also seen it under another title, but a bookstore can search by the author. The high points include: * About 15% of the population is immune to poison ivy. So you have an 85% chance of not being immune. * It's the oil (called urushiol) in the plant that causes the reaction. This oil will hang around for a long time. If you use your hiking stick to move the poison ivy and the oil gets on your stick you will be exposed. If you walk through poison ivy it will be on your boots and you will be exposed every time you tie them. * You have a few hours to wash off the oil once you are exposed to it. A solvent like rubbing alcohol works well for this. If you think you have been exposed, wash your clothes and take a shower when you get home. Get the book and read it. It will tell you everything you want to know about poison ivy, oak, and sumac. RichardMoore www.geocities.com/richardsrunaway Quote Link to comment
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