Duck Pass and Big Pine lakes-July 17-22

[Stoecky]

July 17 did a night hike into the the Big Pine lakes region up the North fork of Big Pine Creek with the intent of doing some moon photography of Temple Crag. Mosquitoes were so bad you couldn't stop--ended up hiking out at 1am--mission failure! (But a project for another time--maybe late Sept.)

July 22 did a hike over Duck Pass -snow on the pass was less that I'd seen on past hikes over the pass--and was not an issue--one 100 ft section of a traverse across a snowfield--but not an issue--snow melting fast!! and again mosquitoes an issue around water sources!

[SSSdave]

Stoecky you are another person that apparently needs to learn how to dress and deal with hiking in mosquito season. See page 2:

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[Wandering Daisy]

For a lot of people, like me, even when "dressed properly" having those little bastards buzzing around you ruins the trip. I do not get bites, but hate being swarmed. Same and even more so with blackflies. Other people are better able to psychologically tolerate the swarms. Maybe I need to do some desensitizing training (like for those who are afraid to fly) to learn to deal with mosquitoes. It is hard for me to understand how anyone can deal with the swarms, just like it probably is hard for someone who does tolerate mosquitoes (as long as their skin is protected) understands me. So I would refrain from lecturing those like me to simply "dress properly".

[SSSdave]

We've had that conversation before WD haha. That is why I noted dressing properly that is by far the primary reason hikers have issues with mosquitoes as most wear t-shirts and shorts or clothing mosquitoes can poke their probosci through. The majority of those that each summer complain about mosquitoes are being bitten.

I won't hike into areas where they become truly dense clouds either because they interfere with taking photos. Lots of small black spots in images, sometimes get inside my camera body when changing lenses, and making camp life tedious. However even then one can often find landscape zones where they are tolerable.

[Wandering Daisy]

I used to hike with a fellow who was "Mr. Animal Rights, Environmentalist, laid back" and he would calmly talk to the mosquitoes (hello ladies, how is your day) and never hurt one. He of course only used organic, natural repellants, NEVER DEET! There may be something true about staying calm that helps repel the mosquitoes. Probably also helped that, as a guy, he had very hairy arms and legs! Mosquitoes are also not attracted to my husband (who takes so many vitamin supplements, that he probably reeks of vitamins), but perhaps it is because they are all going for me. Supposedly there is a B-vitamin that makes you less attractive to mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes in the foreground of photos- have plenty of those! Thank goodness for Photoshop.

[Stoecky]

Thanks for the comment--to answer the " dress properly" for mosquitoes quote-no offense taken-I actually did prepare for the mosquitoes as I knew they were going to be there--as mentioned I went in at night so had long pants and ls shirt treated with Sawyer's Permethrin and then the usual slathering of DEET! I didn't get bit by the lil buggers--but it was just plain irritating to have swarms around me to where inhaling mosquitoes became all to frequent--but I get the quote--and I think your comments are Important for those that take mosquitoes lightly--especially this year as there is water everywhere!!!