Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
COMMON AILMENTS
Fatigue Stay within your capabilities, take breaks and eat properly.
Blisters Wear broken-in boots and moisture-wicking socks, and carry special blister bandages.
Knee pain Use hiking poles and descend with shorter steps without twisting or hyperextending your foot.
Environmental Hazards
Altitude
In the thinner atmosphere of the Rockies, a lack of oxygen may cause headaches, nausea,
nosebleeds, shortness of breath, physical weakness and other symptoms. These can lead to
serious consequences, especially if combined with heat exhaustion, sunburn or hypother-
mia. Most people adjust to altitude within a few hours or days. Be careful (especially with
children) when driving and overnighting on the Beartooth Plateau, where altitudes reach
10,000ft. In mild cases of altitude sickness, everyday painkillers such as aspirin may re-
lieve discomfort. If symptoms persist, descend to lower elevations.
Bears
Bears live a sedentary life and will typically avoid contact if given sufficient warning of
an approaching individual. Yet travelers need to be bear aware. The main causes of
human-bear conflict include the animal's instinctual protection of its young, the presence
of food and surprise encounters. In July 2011, a man was killed when he surprised a fe-
male with her cubs. In the same summer, a grizzly fatally attacked a lone hiker on an in-
frequently used trail for unknown reasons. In Yellowstone history, the year of 2011 was
unique, since very high snowpack meant spring conditions (with high bear activity) in
mid-summer, which increased human encounters. Hikers should follow all suggested pre-
cautions. But remember, there's a 1 in 3-million chance of being attacked by a grizzly in
Yellowstone.
BEARS & HIKING
When hiking in grizzly country, always stay alert and make plenty of noise on the trail.
Never hike after dusk. While grizzlies have a highly acute sense of smell, they may not
catch your scent if you approach from downwind. Some hikers wear 'bear bells' to an-
nounce their approach, but bears are better able to hear deeper sounds like shouting or
 
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