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Thursday, February 13, 2025

The Trickster


Tom and I are having an ongoing dialogue concerning a few of our observations whereas mountain climbing. This dialogue entails issues we see lots of, and our persevering with debate takes two sides (which both of us takes arbitrarily at any given time), each of which appear possible.

Aspect 1) We’re seeing lots of (insert virtually any merchandise right here) just because we’re logging extra miles. The truth that we hike a lot greater than we used to naturally signifies that we see extra of the merchandise.

Aspect 2) We’re seeing lots of (you identify it) as a result of there may be truly extra of it. That is due to higher drought, or warmth, or particular situations that trigger the factor to proliferate.

For instance, earlier this yr the merchandise in query was lupine. For possibly two months we noticed lupine en masse throughout each hike. Was it a very good yr for lupine, and if that’s the case, why? Or was it simply that we have been on trails that at all times have a lot of lupine and we simply by no means observed earlier than? (Mountaineering lengthy distances leads, typically, to essentially developed dialog; different instances, it simply results in perseveration.)

One other instance – quail. It appeared like we used to see quail quite a bit within the 90s. Then within the 00s and 10s, infrequently. And now – thrillingly – quail in all places! Had been we simply fully checked out throughout our kid-raising years? Or is it true that quail have been in jeopardy, and are actually making a comeback?

I can’t reply these questions, or extra precisely, I don’t have the time to do the analysis that will give me a solution to those questions. Possibly you know. Within the hopes you do, I current to you the newest factor that has me continuously dickering with myself whereas I hike. That factor is Toxicodendron diversilobum, extra generally often known as Poison Oak. Bear in mind binomial nomenclature? On this case, the genus, Toxicodendron, means ‘poison tree.’ The species, diversilobum, means ‘diversely lobed.’ Yeah, we all know in regards to the poison – no shock there. However the various lobes is fascinating, and refers to the truth that the leaves are irregularly lobed, resembling oak leaves. Therefore the widespread identify, poison oak.

I’ve been seeing SO a lot poison oak this yr. A lot. It runs all alongside the paths and infrequently even reaches a fragile department out into the center of the path, inflicting me to anthropomorphize this poor opportunist plant and screech “NOT TODAY, SATAN” round each curve. You’ll forgive me for my hysterics, as a result of poison oak is supremely tough.

To wit:

Poison oak may be inexperienced…

… or it may be crimson, or a mix of inexperienced and crimson.

Poison oak generally is a loner plant…

… or hand around in a gaggle (or a freaking hedge).

Poison oak generally is a bush, or a vine…

… or a floor cowl.

Poison oak can have tiny, finely lobed leaves…

… or massive, blowsy, looks-like-a-pear-tree leaf.

In spring, poison oak has actually fairly flowers…

… which afterward, flip into berries. Birds love the berries, which is a method this plant spreads.

Poison oak can have shiny leaves….

… or uninteresting leaves.

Each a part of the plant is ‘toxic’ and may trigger a pores and skin response. Don’t go gathering these fairly leaves by the aspect of the path! For heaven’s sake, don’t make a pile and bounce in! And for those who should pee on the aspect of the path, by all that’s holy, drip dry!!!

And what you may suppose is a dormant tree may truly even be poison oak.

The stuff that we react to in poison oak (or ivy, or sumac – they’re all in the identical household) known as ‘urushiol.’ In most individuals, it causes a blistering, itchy rash. I as soon as knew a lady who sat by a campfire on which, unwittingly, somebody had thrown some poison oak branches. As a result of all of the folks across the hearth breathed within the smoke, they’d a response of their mouths, throats, and lungs. So it will possibly even have an effect on your insides.

At my college backyard, I’ve been discovering poison oak entwined with invasive Himalayan blackberry in nearly each nook. The opposite day, I watched some bare-legged athletes who have been headed to the sector behind the backyard take a shortcut behind our barn – you guessed it – proper by one in every of these thickets. Once I stated, dismayed, “you simply walked by poison oak!” the athletes stated, “how have you learnt it’s poison oak?” So we had somewhat lesson, proper then and there. I additionally informed them to go to the toilet instantly and wash with chilly water and cleaning soap. It’s finest to make use of chilly somewhat than scorching water, as a result of scorching water opens pores and that may trigger the poison oak to unfold quickly.

Since poison oak is so tough, and so prevalent (particularly this yr???), I’ve taken to retaining rubbing alcohol wipes in my automotive.

If I believe I’ve had any contact in any respect, I rub my legs (or arms, or face, or shoulder) with one in every of these wipes. Then, as quickly as I get dwelling, I wash with Tecnu, the miracle remedy.

I swear on these items. I put it on, rub it round, wait a couple of minutes, after which hop within the bathe and wash with chilly water. Works each time. (OK, 99% of the time. I nonetheless get a spot of poison oak each on occasion.)

I like being open air a lot, and I like mountain climbing, and I particularly love aspect trails, the slim ones that take you locations different folks don’t usually go, those the place you appear to discover a secret round each nook. My day by day hikes maintain me bodily wholesome and mentally sane, and there’s no method I’m giving them up, even when there’s a plethora of poison oak this yr (???). So it’s good to acknowledge this trickster in all its kinds, in order that it may be prevented, and it’s good to know the best way to deal with it, for those who by accident are available contact with it.

Now, if I might simply determine if there actually is extra of it this yr…

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