Hey all! First post here. I found on google that this is where people post when asking about bug bites apparently so here I am haha!

I know it's best to seek medical advice professionally, but it's night time here and I just wanted to get some input.

Yesterday I was walking outdoor in shorts with my bf. Half way through the walk my bf noticed some blood on his leg. I looked down at mine and I saw some blood as well and some sort of small brown insect biting me in another spot.

I freaked out and flicked it off without even knowing what it is.

24h later, I noticed dark red spots at the bite spots, surrounded by a faint red halo. Same is happening with my BF

I'm freaking out at the possibility of this being a tick bite. Although the circumstances say otherwise, since I was able to flick it off, and it bit me in two spots. And since it didn't have enough time to feed, hopefully there is no risk of lyme

Any thoughts?

Got super lucky with this sunset while exploring Joshua Tree.

For context, this is written in a fantasy land, and the technology would be comparable to the Middle Ages, so bows or swords, a compass, blacksmithing, things like that would be common technology. Most all forms of outdoors people would be here. Skiers, snowboarders, rafters, kayakers, hunters, fishermen, climbers, and hikers would all live in this community, so what does a community like that need to thrive?

This is back in West Cowes after a shorter day to finish! This was such a difficult undertaking (for us!) but we stuck with it and did the thing!

I know they are not in the same ball park when it comes to "stuff you don't want biting you" but many a Scottish holiday have been ruined for me by me being, somehow, incredibly delicious to midges - even walking back from the pub after hours will render me a miserable itchy mess for the rest of the trip while nobody else in the group gets a single bite. I'm like the sacrificial distraction or bait they they send ahead to protect the rest of the group. Even liberal/unhealthy slatherings of insect repellent don't seem to deter them.

I've been seeing a lot of ads for portable mosquito repellers recently (either rechargeable or gas powered) and I'm just wondering: would they would work on Scottish midges? Because if so they would be a total game changer for me. How do they actually work (if they work at all)?

Thanks!

Hi, I’m currently 36 and working in the restaurant industry, I really love hiking, climbing, kayaking and just being out in the wilderness. I know guides make shit money and I’m creeping up on 40 years old but I would be passionate about it and could still wait tables on the side to supplement income. I’ve started researching different mountaineering courses in my area and seen NOLS is a good place to start as well. I’d be open to going back to community college as well if I could take anything that could help me enter the field.

Does anybody have experience making this career change and taking this on so late in life?

What sort of stove do you use for the odd day hike or overnight hike, rather than multi-day expeditions?

I see there is the infamous Jetboil system, but of course there are also the classic Trangias and MSR fuel stoves.

What are the pros and cons of each, and what works best in cold and windy conditions?

No doubt this has been asked before so feel free to leave a link to help point me in the right direction. Thanks, folks!

This picture has been taken the 1st december 2023 at 11:17am. My home is 2800 km away and I'm alone.

After a cold night stuck at -20°C, I have to quit. This is heartbreaking, but my map is wrong (every path has been surrounded by unplanned meters of snow) and I broke one of my snowshoe the Day before. My motivation drops below zero. I decide to go back to stay safe. This is the Last picture I took before leaving this area. My objective was 30 km beyond this mountain. So close but and so far at the same time !