Climate change to “supercharge” poison ivy (and poison oak, poison sumac)

If that starts happening I can see more hikers trading in shorts for “vented” long pants.  Many already wear long sleeves, sun gloves, sunglasses, etc.. and with all the knee “braces”, long socks, and other add ons… may as well just get used to long pants.

Caution would be needed until said clothing could be laundered however.

Stupid global warming. Why can’t bees or desirable fish benefit from warming?

Good point about the pants. I started hiking in Rail Riders Bone Flats pants in hot weather (2 mesh vents per leg) or EcoMesh pants with insect shield in moderate weather (1 vent per leg that can be zipped closed) in large part to protect my legs from poison oak, which is particularly sneaky in the winter when it has no leaves but the vine is still poisonous.

in CT/MA/east coast I saw poison ivy vines so large I didnt immediately identify them as poison ivy (>4″ diameter trunks and branches extending over 8′ horizontally) ! I can only imagine how big they will get in the future!

Long pants and shirts can help you avoid direct exposure. But I’ve gotten some pretty gnarly cases in unexpected places from indirect exposure – plant to clothing or dog to me.

After decades of hiking in prime poison oak territory, I subconsciously stay clear most of the time. Frequently perform the trail limbo with no audience, but that’s getting old (I’m not!). Thinking I might pick up an easily-cleaned walking staff to push away overhanging branches and leaves.

— Rex

There’s plenty of ‘healthy’ poison ivy out west already. Off the top of my head ever been to Monarch Cave in Comb Ridge in SE Utah?  There’s a big pour-off left of the photo into a permanent big plunge pool and home of the mother of all poison ivy vines.

how about ticks?

they’re probably supercharged by global warming

I was 8.

The doctor said, “This is the worst case of poison I’ve ever seen.”

My mother said, “I guess this will teach your not to wipe with poison ivy when you crap in the woods!”

Me: (not a peep)