u/Outlasttactical

I was recently exposed to poison ivy on an hike and I don’t understand how im supposed to go about this. Somehow I eluded the wretched vine for 2 years. I thought the reaction was instantaneous, because Id assumed I’d haphazardly brushed it before. Little did I know I’m not going to be symptomatic for a while, and I really have no confirmation of immunity. When I got home, I took a shower and washed my whole body with the same cloth. Did I just smear the oils all over my body?? Am I just gonna be covered in rashes now?? Do I throw the cloth away?? Same goes for my towel. Should I just throw away all the clothes I wore that day and everything I touched?? How do I clean my car seat? I’m very confused and anxious.

damn y’all are nice as hell thank you

I’ve been on the hunt for about a month and feel a bit uninspired by my options. Seems like everything I can find is either too short (2-3 days) or isn’t in a loop (I’ll be by myself, so it’s definitely preferred). I’m fine with caching water.

Considered spending some time in The Grand Canyon, but with the North Rim closing, seems like I’d be better off coming back in another year.

Open to the idea of “road trip backpacking”, my own coined term where it’s a few 2-3 day backpacking trips stacked together in one big trip.

M30, decent alpine experience, but new to deserts. Always looking for people to join me as well!

I turn 30 this year and am having a “mid-life career crisis”. I work a professional office job (sales manager) and have climbed the ladder to make a very decent wage but have figured out I hate this kind of life.

I have completed 2 years of college using my GI Bill (business management path) so I still have 18 months of it left to become a course collector and switch careers completely.

My dream job at this point would to eventually become an Expedition Leader for an expedition cruise line. I plan on spending a full year doing courses such as:
- WEMT
- STCW
- ENG1
- RYA powerboat
- Swift water rescue
- Sea Kayak Guide
- AAI Mountaineering courses
- NOLS Wilderness Guide course

Many job listings I’m finding list a bachelors degree in biology, ecology, etc. or “similar experience”. Can I realistically squeeze my way into the industry with things like NAI Certificate for Interpretive Guides, and university extension programs in subjects like geology? Independent learning is something I’m passionate about, and going back to school with a change of majors is very unappealing.

Any other advice for someone in my position would be greatly welcomed as well!