Staying Safe and Healthy on the TrailWear comfortable, broken-in footwear. If you feel a hot spot, stop & take off your boots. Put your feet into cold water when you can. Wicking inner socks may help prevent blisters. Bring Leukoplast or Elastoplast bandages, duct tape & any other blister first aid products you like, just in case. If you do get a blister, using a sterile needle, prick the blister a few times. Drain without touching the fluid or holes. Seal with liquid Betadine and, when dry, place some tape over it. We usually use duct tape — it's inexpensive and seems to stay as well as anything else.
Sandflies make the tour a species of treadmill. We’ve not had much trouble with mosquitoes on the Milford. Sandflies, however, can ruin your Milford experience. The bites may itch for days or weeks — especially for tourists who are not used to them. DEET repellents usually deter sandflies. But, since they may bite anytime during daylight hours, an even better strategy is to keep skin covered as much as possible all day long. Sandflies have difficulty finding you if you keep moving — do not stop, not even long enough to take a photo. Many hikers wear thin gloves for sandfly protection. There are two Sandfly Points in New Zealand — you pass both on the Milford Track! You may see wasps and you will attract them if you leave sweet food out. If stung wash with soap and water; then use some antiseptic. Some advocate antihistamine tablets to reduce swelling and irritation. Others put their stung flesh into cold running water. Anyone allergic to bees and wasps should carry a sting kit. They should advise others what to do if they are stung. Anaphylactic shock is serious & can cause death. You should expect & plan for rain & freezing wind. A few tips:
Many thin layers are lighter & warmer than 1 thick garment If you get chilled, climb into your sleeping bag. Cuddle-up. Do anything you can to warm-up if there's any chance of hypothermia. Bring a backpack cover — you'll be glad you did if it starts to pour. Waterproof EVERYTHING inside your pack. Plastic bags are OK but rip. Waterproof stuffsacs are only slightly heavier and far more reliable. Consider making yourself a sit pad (of light closed cell foam). Wipe it with a bandana & you’ll have a dry, clean spot to sit — rather than a wet bottom. Bring extra plastic bags & ziplocs. Double-bag vulnerable valuables such as cameras. Some hikers thrive on a long walk while others wear down quickly. To survive & thrive, most importantly, avoid getting sick. Be sure that standards of hygiene are maintained. Faecal contamination of any kind is the easiest way to get sick. Be sure to use alcohol-based antibacterial gel on your hands throughout the day, particularly before you stick your hands into a bag of GORP. Proper food and safe, sufficient water is essential. Carry water from hut to hut. Most hikers trust the hut rain water supply & do not bother treating, but if you want to be safer, you have a choice of water treatment methods:
We recommend you invest in a good purifier — the Katadyn is a favourite though we've had good luck with many other units. Make sure your purifier is well maintained. They need frequent cleaning. |
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