It’s trips like this where you learn the best lessons.
The first backpacking trip of the year never goes smoothly. It doesn’t matter how many lists of equipment you made, or how much you try and remember what happened last year, some of the important memories fade and things get forgotten.
Our first backpacking trip of the season with the dogs was last weekend. We hiked past one of our favorite backcountry lakes, Snow Lake, to Gem Lake and camped for the night. It was a great trip. However, a couple of major things went wrong and I had to re-evaluate my summer plans with Gretel.
The first things that happened we’re the kind that irritate you but you shrug off, vowing to be more prepared next time. Hubby didn’t plan for enough food and water for the trip. He wasn’t in dire straits but let’s just say when he feels limited with water or food on a hike, he is not a happy camper (pun intended). There were also the bugs. Oh, the hoards and hoards of mosqitoes. I can’t remember the last time we camped where there were so many. These were not your average mosquito either. Normally, but bites don’t bother me – I don’t itch or get bumpy – but I was definitely reacting to these super pontent ones.
Which leads me to the super-serious thing that happened. When we got to camp, Chester laid down and started rubbing his face in the dirt like he had just finished a bath. It seemed a tad odd to us but not a big deal because he does it semi-frequently at home. I busied myself putting the tent up and then looked over at the dogs sleeping.
I jumped up and yelled, “oh my god, look at his face!”. Chester’s face was blown up like a balloon. His lips were puffed up, he had lumps on the top of his head, and he looked uncomfortable. Thank goodness for Pinterest pictures of bee-stung dog faces because I knew immediately he was having an allergic reaction to some kind of bug bite. I guessed he was having a reaction to all of the mosquito bites or a bee sting.
We panicked. It’s been years since my mountain oriented first aid class but I do remember that the worst time to make a snap decision is when you are freaking out.
Our first instinct was to immediately pack up and hike back out. I wasn’t sure that was our best choice though. We reasoned it out. We were all exhausted and in need of food. We agreed we could make it out, even if we had to use headlamps for the last part of it, but we would need to carry Chester and it would be very taxing on us. Being tired, hungry, stressed, and rushing in the woods is when things go wrong though – people get hurt and die.
I will be honest, this is the first time I have had to put my first aid and emergency training to use in the mountains. I was so thankful that I had rememberd to put Benadryl in my mini first aid kit. I was also very, very thankful that I paid attention in my last pet first aid class and practiced portioning out the amount of antihistamine Chester and Gretel would need if something happened. We decided to give Chester a dose, eat something, rest for 30 minutes, and re-evaluate the situation.
After 30 minutes, the swelling had started to do down a bit. Hubby and I had a serious discussion about it and, in the end, we decided to stay. An hour later, Chester’s face was back to normal. We had made the right call.
I am going to share more about this experience and what to do later but, for now, lets move onto the next “lesson” of the trip.
I have been largely back-pain free this year. After almost 3 years of dealing with this last severe bout, I am itching to get out and check some things of my bucket list. One of those things is backpacking for several days alone.
When the 7-day trip I planned in August with Gretel turned to 12 because of incorrect mileage in a guide book, I had second thoughts but was prepared to charge forward. Before this trip, the reality that the 12 day hike was only two months away started to hit. This trip made me realize that I, and more importantly Gretel, is not in shape to hike 8 miles a day for 12 days straight.
My planned trip with Gretel shrunk by at least a day for every mile that we hiked to Gem Lake. My multi-day backpacking trip with Gretel is now going to be 4-6 days. That is still quite a challenge for a solo girl and her 10 lb dog but, don’t worry, Gretel and I know what we are doing.
So we were hungry enough after the hiking and adventure that we wished we had real pie. A fat piece of humble pie is all we got though. We got kind of put in our place on this trip. I was reminded to keep my expectations reasonable. Both hubby and I were reminded of the importance of first aid skills in the woods where you can’t get to the vet or doctor right away.
Mary says
Sheesh, ya nothing like realizing you weren’t as prepared as thought. I am so glad you all made it out OK, and that Chester was alright. Those damn mosquitoes, I can’t be bitten very much because I react pretty bad. You need to make a little bag for Gretel in case you need to carry her on your solo trip. I carry one for Roxy I made and it’s has saved the day many times. I can’t carry her in her backpack, and my camelback too.
J W says
We do carry to small, thin backpacks (like stuff sacks) in case we need to carry the dogs out. The biggest benefit of a small dog in the woods is that you actual can in an emergency. I had to carry Chester out once in it. I put it on backwards like a front pack and put my big backpack on my back as usual. I agree that something like that is super important to have.
I was really surprised about my reaction to the mosquitoes. They were persistent too. Even our bug spray was hardly slowing them down. I think we’ll pick a camp spot on the other side of the lake if we go up there again. The ground was a little drier over there.
Lauren Miller (ZoePhee) says
Oh no! I’m sorry things didn’t go as planned on your hike! Poor Chester! I would of freaked out, too! That’s awesome you had benadryl on hand though!
Jessica Rhae says
At first I didn’t think there was any in the kit. I didn’t remember putting it in there. Thanks to past self for being on top of it 🙂
Kyley & Ammo the Dachshund says
Glad You made it out safe and sound! I always carry benedryl with me (for the dogs or humans) no matter where I am for just those reasons. I’ve had to give it to Ammo for bee stings before. Always scary when you see that sweet face swelled up!
Jessica Rhae says
I guess it’s more common than I thought. I’ve hear from a lot of people that said it has happened to their dog. I always carry at least the small first aid kit if we do a real hike but don’t if we are walking around a City park or the like. Now I am thinking that I should put some in my purse just in case. It’s not like it takes up a lot of space 🙂
Donna says
WOW!! I am so glad you made it through the camping trip. I know how upset and worried I am when something happens to my dachshund and we’re close to the vet. How scarey it must have been when Chester’s face swelled. It says much to yours and your husband’s character that you were able to think clearly and not panic. The next trip will be better.
Jessica Rhae says
Thanks Donna. I didn’t sleep super well that night but, although a bit of it might have been my worry about Chester, the main issue was me imagining every single little noise being something trying to get into our tent. Ha, ha. At least next time I will be really prepared because of this experience.
Kaitlin-SheSpeaksBark says
Things like this are exactly what worries me as we head out with our boys each time for a backpacking/camping trip. Our pom Scooter is handicapable so we do end up carrying him most of the time anyways, but come prepared for that too. I keep a limited first aid kit with us, as well as essential oils that both repel the bugs (amazing!) and help us deal with any bug bites, burns, scrapes etc. pretty naturally. I did a pet first aid class last year, but still worry about the major things! Glad you all came out of this one ok 🙂
Jessica Rhae says
I used this natural but spray on them that is supposed to be one of the best. I can tell you it works for killing sugar ants in the kitchen immediately. One of the main ingredients is Cedar oil. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to deter the mosquitoes much. I resorted to DEET for myself later, not that it slowed them down much either, but didn’t want to put that on Chester and Gretel. What do you use?
Janice Grzywacz says
Apple cider vinegar. Sprayed in a lite mist. Braggs to be exact.
Kate Smith says
We use a natural bug spray by Gratitude Botanicals called “Bug Off” (you can find it on etsy). If that isn’t enough for the dogs, we use a wipe made for small children just on their head and ears, where they can’t lick. I think the wipe is made by Off.
Jessica Rhae says
Thanks. I have yet to find a natural but spray that works good enough for Chester and Gretel.
Kaitlin-SheSpeaksBark says
Sorry for the slooooowest response ever 😉
I use a doterra essential oil blend that is a bug repellant and also a wonderful product called Wondercide Flea & Tick which I have seen kill live fleas in 30 seconds- it’s cedarwood and lemongrass among other things- best I’ve found!
Jessica Rhae says
We have Wondercide and brought it with us. I doused Chester with it but it (and ourselves) but it didn’t deter the massive amount of mosquitoes. It’s worked for us in several situations but not when the bugs are really bad of course. Part of me wondered if he was having an allergic reaction to all of the cedar oil but I am pretty sure it was the bugs after I had swollen but bites all over.
Jay, Sparking Synapse says
So glad you had what you needed and made it through OK. Poor Chester … he did look sore, bless him.
Pity about the shortened trip, too, but I’m guessing that it is probably going to prove a blessing in disguise. If you have a history of back trouble, you might want to take it easy the first time out on your own after a seriously bad episode!
Jessica Rhae says
Yeah, the longer trip was kind of unreasonable, and a bit irresponsible, when I started to think it through. I am willing to be that the shortened trip will prove to be enough of a challenge for us 🙂
Emma says
Now that would be scary. Glad you were prepared and he felt better rather quickly.
Denise Gruzensky says
Thank you so much for such and informative post and comments! I can’t tell you how much I learned here and how grateful I am we haven’t had an emergencies without me being better prepared! Thanks to you all I’ll be a better fur parent boy scout!
Jessica Rhae says
Thanks Denise. I just checked out your site and like your adventurous yorkie 🙂