Re: [Philmont]: Contacts

Hi Jim,

I went once wearing my glasses and regretted it because my vision is so much better with contact lenses. I've worn contacts each time since then (3 trips) and never had any difficulties.

The first trip with contacts was with those of the "rigid gas permeable" variety and I took them out every night before the bear bags went up. Put the solutions in the bear bag, kept the lenses (and a pair of glasses) in their case in my tent with me at night. I would put them in first thing in the morning (outside the tent, after changing out of my sleep clothing).

Next two trips were with the extended wear disposables. I put in a fresh pair the day we left home and took three pair with me. Left one pair in base camp in the crew locker,
took two on the trail with me. Replaced the lenses with a fresh pair at the halfway point, carried the third pair as backup (they are light and don't require meuch room).

On the trial, I took the contacts out every third night and again put the solutions in the bear bag but kept the lenses (and glasses) in the tent with me and would put the contacts in first thing each morning (outside the tent, after changing out of my sleep clothing). Most mornings, when we stopped for our first "pack off" break (which was also usually breakfast) I found that I needed to remove the lenses, clean them and put them back in. Kind of like cleaning a pair of eye glasses.

One of my two sons also wears extended wear disposables and did the same as I.

FYI: In my case, my vision is poor enough without them that I'd be a danger to myself and others on the trail without corrective lenses, so I would take along a pair of glasses with an up to date prescription, just in case. Besides, you don't want to be in a place a beautiful as Philmont and not be able to see it!

YIS,
Mike Heitmann
Scoutmaster Assistant, Troop 975
St. Charles, Missouri

>
> I'm curious about how other contact lens wearers that have previously trekked to Philmont, prepared/coped with wearing contacts on the trail. I do not have a back up pair of glasses, so I'm looking for suggestions and/or helpful hints on how you kept them clean, or if you have any tricks about getting them on in the morning, etc.

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Received on Tue May 18 09:47:32 2004