I am 27 days away from leaving . I am officially panicked.

I have had a Barney's pack since 2013. I use it for both training and hunting. At either DSC or SCI, I bought their new bag. Supposedly it weighs about a pound less and has more cubic inches.

I also developed a problem with the frame, sort of. The screen that goes in the small of the back was disintegrating on one side. A quick call to Barney's cured that. They sent me a new one.

Last night, I finally put the new screen on as well as the new bag. I tightened up the screen higher up on the frame as well. After all, it has not been tightened in 3 years.

I loaded it kind of light (50 pounds). I was having some spasms below my right scapula. I took off for my long day of 3-3.5 hours.

I had difficulty along the way. The pack kept feeling like it was to the left of my spine. Not a big deal. I asked the wife if it was straight. She said absolutely. That is the first problem.

The second problem is that the wife noticed tonight that I have a sizeable blister on my back fairly high up to the right of my spine. I have never had this happen.

Let me add that it is about 4 times hotter than hell here now. I was wearing a cotton AC/DC t shirt which was totally drenched. After drinking 4 bottles of Gatorade, I still lost 5 pounds on the hike. In other words, I am sweating a lot.

I have done a number of long training hikes with more weight and never had this happen. I also do a couple of days a week with 67-68 pounds for 65-75 minutes and never had this happen.

Any ideas? If I had it to do over again, I would not change the bag. However, I had no choice other than to change the screen.

I am clueless about this ( and many other things).

Thanks!

Blister just sounds like moist skin and cotton working their magic. You pack will touch your back somewhere.

Is the blister far from your back pain? And is the back pain external or internal? Internal maybe a muscle cramp from the heat? Never changed my webbing and noticed any differences.

They are fairly close together.

I have had this before totally unrelated to training. It isn't really painful, just different and annoying.

My wife is an orthopedic surgeon. She has looked at it. She says I am having "spasms". Basically is a an area of extremely tight muscles that cramp from time to time. She says it is visible, she doesn't even have to touch it to tell what is going on. Of course, I can't see it.

I am more worried about the blister. I tend to think that if a freak thing with the totally drenched cotton t shirt. Also, the feeling that the pack was left of my spine. It has never felt like that before. The wife says it is centered and not hanging one way or another.

I inspected the pack tonight. It appears the emblem folds slightly now. I am willing to bet that is where the blister came from.

If you have time when you are passing through Anchorage, stop at Barney's and they will make sure the pack is properly fitted for you.

quote:

Originally posted by Adventure907:
If you have time when you are passing through Anchorage, stop at Barney's and they will make sure the pack is properly fitted for you.

+1 or you could ask Brett to check it out. He worked at Barney's and has sized (adjusted) many for people.

I'd certainly look at it, but Barney's will be more schedule friendly. You might post a picture now of the frame, so I can see if anything is obviously wrong. Also I would talk to a chiropractor about the spasming and what not. I would recommend someone who does Active Release Technique. Here's a link to the provider search:

http://www.activerelease.com/p...Orlando%2C+FL%2C+USA

I would recommend:

http://www.teixchiropractic.com

http://www.centralfloridachiropractic.com

http://www.lakewaleschiropractor.com

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:

Let me add that it is about 4 times hotter than hell here now. I was wearing a cotton AC/DC t shirt which was totally drenched. After drinking 4 bottles of Gatorade, I still lost 5 pounds on the hike. In other words, I am sweating a lot.

I'd blame the AC/DC T-shirt. If it does to your back what they do to your ears, it can't be good

I have never blistered from my packs,
So I'd attribute that to the heat, if the patch is folded just take it off and be done with it.
Back spasms if attribute to getting old and attempting to enter a habitat not created for human existence, but one we your tortutre ourselves into shape to survive in.

I have had the back spasms before totally unrelated to training for a hunt. My wife has set up and appointment for me with a physical therapist tomorrow.

I did not notice the patch until last night. I am cutting it off.

I say this in all seriousness. If I jumped in my pool, I would be no wetter than I was when I finished the Sunday long hike. I was totally drenched when I finished. I poured about a half pint of sweat out of each boot. I think the wet shirt and the patch did it.

Keep in mind that I have had this pack since 2013. I have been on hundreds of training hikes with it. I have been on a number of recreational hikes with it (New Zealand for example) . I have probably hunted 15- 20 days with the pack. This is the FIRST time I have blistered.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I have had the back spasms before totally unrelated to training for a hunt. My wife has set up and appointment for me with a physical therapist tomorrow.

I did not notice the patch until last night. I am cutting it off.

I say this in all seriousness. If I jumped in my pool, I would be no wetter than I was when I finished the Sunday long hike. I was totally drenched when I finished. I poured about a half pint of sweat out of each boot. I think the wet shirt and the patch did it.

Keep in mind that I have had this pack since 2013. I have been on hundreds of training hikes with it. I have been on a number of recreational hikes with it (New Zealand for example) . I have probably hunted 15- 20 days with the pack. This is the FIRST time I have blistered.

Larry,

I'm pretty sure you know this but in Alaska "Cotton kills". Why not switch to a better wicking fabric even down there?

Cheers
Jim

Jim:

It has never been an issue before. Plus, the wet shirt is actually a positive here in some respects. It helps one cool off a bit.

I really think the emblem folding is the culprit.

I work in a very hot and humidity environment and thought cotton was great for most of my life.

Several years back I tried synthetics it wasn't long before I dumped all of my cotton.

No cotton socks, underwear or shirts......far cooler than the wet crap I worked in for 20+ years before I switched to synthetic

quote:

Originally posted by ted thorn:
I work in a very hot and humidity environment and thought cotton was great for most of my life.

Several years back I tried synthetics it wasn't long before I dumped all of my cotton.

No cotton socks, underwear or shirts......far cooler than the wet crap I worked in for 20+ years before I switched to synthetic

+1

I find it amazing how cooling the very thin base layer of Merino wool is on a hot day. The evaporative cooling from the fabric is like magic.

Well, I but the patch off that was at least partially folded right in the middle of my back. I think that will cure the blister issue.

I discovered yesterday morning that I had a single strap way too tight which cause the pack to move to one side. I am reasonably certain that is the culprit there.

I had an issue near my right scapula. After lifting weight Monday, I was 100% convinced it was no big deal. I lifted again Wednesday and I was further convinced it was no big deal. I put the 67 pound pack on Wednesday. I should not have. Now, I have a problem. They think it is a muscle strain. It is not fun. No pack for me for a few days.

Look into the: Dixon Roller Bag.

Take large pieces of mole skin with a tiny scissor and immediately apply to any skin that is feeling heat from friction. It will eliminate the blisters.

Get your doctor to prescribe you altitude sickness pills, muscle relaxer. Take Ibuprofin also.

Get a waterproof sack that you can fit cloth inside and seal with enough air to match the pillow dimensions to your preference.

Take an extra CPAP battery and have them precharged. Also the appropriate folding portable solar charger to keep them operational for the duration of the hunt. You might need two solar chargers. Put one on top of your pack and one on top of the tent orientated towards the sun.

Two quality walking sticks an absolute must. They will help your balance on uneven terrain, save your knees and back, conserve energy, keep you from twisting an ankle. put a small velcro strand at the bottom of the grip. When
stationary, you can loop it around the second
pole, form an X. You'll have an instant stable glassing platform for your bino. or rifle.
If hiking with a heavy load and can't find an appropriate size rock or stump to sit on and don't want to get all the way to the ground and having to get on your knees to work your way back up. You can place the sticks behind you and lean the weight of the pack into them. use the terrain to make it work.

Go to RITE Aide and get a medical type urinal bottle with a handle and large mouth. use it for gear storage when en route. Store it after use, right outside the tent. During the day discard contents away from the immediate camp area and replace for reuse.

Hopefully this covers a few concerns.
Have a safe, memorable and enjoyable hunt.

Larry, how did the hunt turn out ?
Regards, Bob K,
Winter Haven

We had some rough weather but I took an old ram at long range.