Cooling Suits

[bobpbx]

One of the most hostile environments in my little world is a New Jersey maritime swamp in July and August. For starters, the flies will take chunks out of you, and they don't give up. The heat and humidity is of course very high due to it being mid-summer and the rampant vegetation increases the humidity. The soft mud at the margin between the forest and the marsh will suck the energy right out of you. Still, I do dabble inside as the plant life is very interesting. Yesterday I did a little bit of exploring in Berkeley Township east of route 9 along one such swamp. It is easy to see why I am always the only one around. I reluctantly got out of there very quickly.

It got me thinking about better protection; something like a cooling suit with protection from the insects. Just a fantasy really, as there cannot be anything out there yet that does the job "and" is comfortable and flexible as well. A search on the internet for information led me to this link which I found interesting, so I thought I'd share it.

http://www.stormchaser.ca/caves/naica/naica.html

 

[Menantico]

I know exactly what you mean, I was walking / sliding along the mudflats on the Manumuskin at low tide yesterday. Got stuck too many times and when you're stuck, thats when the biting flies get to work. Add to that the humidity and Apollo's rays, it makes one question going out in the first place. Always worth it though. Great link by the way!

 

[46er]

It got me thinking about better protection; something like a cooling suit with protection from the insects. Just a fantasy really, as there cannot be anything out there yet that does the job "and" is comfortable and flexible as well. A search on the internet for information led me to this link which I found interesting, so I thought I'd share it.

Bob, having spent many, many hours walking the marsh with my late friend Pete Mclain and donating blood to the fly population, the only effective protection we found came fairly recently and that is Avon's skin-so-soft bug guard expedition strength. I doubt Pete needs it where he is now, but here on earth it is the most effective we found for the flies. Never found it in stores, had to order online or find a local Avon rep. If you get enough mud caked on you, that will help too. But it sure messes up the truck seats.

And be careful out there, you could disappear one day and only your hat would be found.

 

[bobpbx]

Thanks 46'r. I'll try it.

 

[johnnyb]

Bob: Thanks for the fascinating crystal cave article - I'd heard about it but not with a 1st person account.
Race car drivers have "cool" suits that have flex tubing on the inner liner that hooks up to an external source of circulating cool water. Maybe a backpack with battery, pump and radiator???

 

[manumuskin]

I remember reading an article on this cave in my monthly NSS magazine a few years ago.

 

[bobpbx]

Race car drivers have "cool" suits that have flex tubing on the inner liner that hooks up to an external source of circulating cool water. Maybe a backpack with battery, pump and radiator???

Yes, but I don't want to carry a power source. I read a lot about the vests today. There is a very good analysis of cooling vest for people with MS, as keeping cool is very important to their health. This one is the winner, but pricey. Still.....

http://www.firstlinetech.com/products/phase-core/cooling-vests/Standard-Mesh-Cooling-Vest/

 

[c1nj]

Also don't forget the poison ivy along the forest/marsh transition.

 

[bobpbx]

Also don't forget the poison ivy along the forest/marsh transition.

You are absolutely correct about that. And since I'm more in the pines, it's easy to miss it.