A jaunt in Honduras

[Hagbard Celine]

In February I'm ditching this crappy cold weather and going to Honduras for a week on a mission trip to help dig latrines for Indians or something. I was wondering if anyone here has ever been to a tropical climate before because I am unsure about what types of clothing are going to be the best to wear down there. I think definately water-proof hiking boots. I'm also going to take some good work pants down there--nothing too thick. sweat-wicking socks. Maybe a vinyl/mesh fedora. Any advice?

[darin]

That's VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY COOL.

While not in the Tropics, I believe, when I was in Thailand I wore a lot of cotton, layered as needed.

[glockmail]

In February I'm ditching this crappy cold weather and going to Honduras for a week on a mission trip to help dig latrines for Indians or something. I was wondering if anyone here has ever been to a tropical climate before because I am unsure about what types of clothing are going to be the best to wear down there. I think definately water-proof hiking boots. I'm also going to take some good work pants down there--nothing too thick. sweat-wicking socks. Maybe a vinyl/mesh fedora. Any advice?

Never been there, but I'd go with two pairs of inexpensive lightweight hiking boots – not waterproof, but fabric type – and several pairs of “Smartwool” socks. Bring a small container of powdered laundry detergent and a tiny container of powdered bleach.

1. Waterproof boots will make your feet sweat, and if you go deep somewhere will just fill with water.
2. Fabric boots will let your feet breathe.
3. Two pairs of light boots will take up less space/ weigh less than heavy ones.
4. You can let one pair dry while wearing the spare.
5. You can wash your socks with the detergent and bleach at night and let them dry overnight.
6. When you leave you can give the better pair, plus your extra socks, to a local. When I gave most of my clothes away to the pool guy at the end of my last trip to Jamaica you’d thunk I just gave him gold.

[Hagbard Celine]

Never been there, but I'd go with two pairs of inexpensive lightweight hiking boots – not waterproof, but fabric type – and several pairs of “Smartwool” socks. Bring a small container of powdered laundry detergent and a tiny container of powdered bleach.

1. Waterproof boots will make your feet sweat, and if you go deep somewhere will just fill with water.
2. Fabric boots will let your feet breathe.
3. Two pairs of light boots will take up less space/ weigh less than heavy ones.
4. You can let one pair dry while wearing the spare.
5. You can wash your socks with the detergent and bleach at night and let them dry overnight.
6. When you leave you can give the better pair, plus your extra socks, to a local. When I gave most of my clothes away to the pool guy at the end of my last trip to Jamaica you’d thunk I just gave him gold.

We've been told not to bring laundry stuff. And all the men who've been before including my girlfriend's dad have told me to bring waterproof boots. The boots I'm bringing are a leather/manmade blend and they're waterproof. I'll be bringing a pair of waterproof Salomon trail runners as my second pair of shoes. I'm definately bringing the sweat wicking socks though.

[darin]

Will you be taking malaria meds while there?

[Hagbard Celine]

Will you be taking malaria meds while there?

Yes. I'll start taking them in about two and a half weeks and will continue until I return to the states. I also had to get my immunizations updated--Tetanus and Hep-A.

[glockmail]

We've been told not to bring laundry stuff. And all the men who've been before including my girlfriend's dad have told me to bring waterproof boots. The boots I'm bringing are a leather/manmade blend and they're waterproof. I'll be bringing a pair of waterproof Salomon trail runners as my second pair of shoes. I'm definately bringing the sweat wicking socks though.

Wow that's the exact opposite of my strategy. But hey they should know. Good luck.

[Hagbard Celine]

Wow that's the exact opposite of my strategy. But hey they should know. Good luck.

I bought me and me girlfriend some "Buzz-off" shirts that will supposedly protect against insects and UV rays. Anybody ever heard of these things? I already bought 'em so I guess I'll find out if they work (shrug)

[Gaffer]

Some good bug juice. To keep the skeeters off ya.

Lose the underwear. It will just bunch up and stick to you, also makes it easier for you to get at ticks, leeches and other critters that will crawl inside your clothes.

Be ready for humidity unlike anything you ever experienced in Atlanta or Florida.

Keep bottles of iodine tablets on hand to put in the water in case you have to drink the water there. Wait about a half hour before drinking. Tastes terrible but it's water. You'll probably have plenty of bottled water but carry the tablets just in case.

Keep in mind that everything in the jungle wants to bite you, sting you, suck your blood or eat you. It will be a fascinating time, just make an effort to always be aware of your surroundings.

[Hagbard Celine]

Make no mistake, I'm taking a can of 100 percent deet down there with me and a mosquito net for night time.

[manu1959]

...everything ...... wants to bite you, sting you, suck your blood or eat you. ......

sounds like san francisco.....

have fun hag......

[Hagbard Celine]

sounds like san francisco.....

have fun hag......

If it's half as fab as SanFran we won't be lacking in the fun department manu! Ciao you gorgeous thing you!

Seriously though, has anyone ever heard of Buzz-off clothing? These shirts were pretty expensive so I'm wondering if anyone knows how well they work.

[Gaffer]

If it's half as fab as SanFran we won't be lacking in the fun department manu! Ciao you gorgeous thing you!

Seriously though, has anyone ever heard of Buzz-off clothing? These shirts were pretty expensive so I'm wondering if anyone knows how well they work.

Never heard of em, not even seen them advertised. Let us know if they work. will you be camping or sleeping in doors? I know that smoke on your cloths helps keep the skeeters off of you somewhat. Also a campfire can help because the smoke hangs over the area and they don't like that. Skeeters also congregate in heavily shaded areas of forest during the day.

Also you might want to do some research on snakes in the Honduras area, just to know what your dealing with.

[Hagbard Celine]

Never heard of em, not even seen them advertised. Let us know if they work. will you be camping or sleeping in doors? I know that smoke on your cloths helps keep the skeeters off of you somewhat. Also a campfire can help because the smoke hangs over the area and they don't like that. Skeeters also congregate in heavily shaded areas of forest during the day.

Also you might want to do some research on snakes in the Honduras area, just to know what your dealing with.

I've read the CIA factbook dossier on the country but I haven't looked into indigenous wildlife. That's a good idea. We'll be sleeping in barracks (indoors) on bunks but I know insects are still a problem at night so we've been advised to bring mosquito nets. I don't know how many fires we'll be having--I hope a few. There's nothing like sitting around a fire to relax you. It'd be nice if we could have a few brews at the end of each day but it is a mission trip so there'll be none of that.

[Monkeybone]

if you take them off while you sleep, check your boots before putting them back on. and like D said, wear cotton. get some cotton cargo pants, that way you can easily carry stuff