Bug season. I can hear the groans now. From mid-May to early July, many Ontarians hide away in their homes and cottages waiting for bug season to end. Mosquitos and Black Flies prey in hordes on any exposed flesh. For years way back in the 90's I returned home from camping with blood stained clothes, wet DEET covered skin, and looking like I had acquired the measles. DEET, Muskol and other repellents do work, but sometimes not good enough. 

I have spent the last 15 years working as an Outdoor Education teacher and have spent the second week of June deep into the wildest swamps and portages in Algonquin Park (along with dozens of teenagers). By the way, high school groups are the only people in the park at that time of year. Why? It is the epi-centre of bug habitat (BONUS: It's also a great time to see moose, as they survive by standing in pools of water). I once counted 600 mosquitoes on the outside of my tent on one trip.  And I haven't use bug spray in over 10 years! How do I do it? Read on to find out:

Here are my tips for making bug season more bearable:

1. Buy a bug jacket

Bug jackets have revolutionized surviving bug season for me. I bought a jacket 10 years ago and it's still going strong (pick one up for $13.75 from MEC). Avoid buying the screen/cotton combination jackets (too hot!) and ones that have a black or dark coloured screen over the face (grey is the best). Buy a jacket if you can that is one size larger then you would normally wear as the baggy screen fabric is a key to keeping the bugs off your skin especially when wearing a t-shirt). Larger sizes make wearing it an outer layer over a fleece or hoody easier as well, and you can retract your hands in the sleeves when you have more room. These jackets are worth their weight in gold. I make them mandatory equipment on all my trips. 

2. Wear long pants

Long pants are essential during bug season. It might be 25C degrees out, but if you are in the backcountry they are a massive barrier to keeping your skin away from the bugs. Choose pants that are light enough to stay cool in, but thick enough to deter bites. Avoid pants with holes in them, or for ladies, avoid leggings as bugs can eat right through them.
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3. Wear long socks

Ankle socks are a favourite of most people, especially during summer weather. My rule during bug season is to wear longer socks. When camping, I will wear synthetic or merino wool hiking socks and tuck my pant ends into them so that bugs can't travel up the leg of my pants and feast on my legs. It looks ridiculous, but it works!

4. Wear a baseball type hat

Wearing a brimmed hat makes sense for many reasons, but in bug season it's also advantageous. I wear a baseball hat with a solid brim under my bug jacket. This keeps the bug jacket hood and face cover off my face, and allows me to breathe without sucking in the screen fabric. Also, avoid trucker hats in bug season, as bugs will be able to bite through the mesh fabric at the back of the hat. For women with longer hair, tie hair in a ponytail and keep the bug jacket hood off your neck.

5. Wear running shoes

As soon as the snow melts, some people immediately switch to wearing flip flops, Crocs, Birkenstocks and Keen sandals. All of these should never be worn during bug season. I normally wear old running shoes in the backcountry when paddling or camping, and hiking boots when backpacking.  Camping in August? Bring the sandals then.

6. Wear gloves

Hands are the hardest part to cover during bug season. Consider bringing a thin liner glove to use when cooking or doing other tasks. When portaging a canoe, I retract my hands into the sleeves of my larger size bug jacket and watch the bugs land on the fabric, not my flesh.

By taking these tips into consideration, bug season becomes completely manageable. I never think of bug season as hardship anymore and have no problems spending time in the epi-centre of bug breeding habitat. So get outside and enjoy our natural wonders...bugs and all!

Happy Camping!

1. The Escapist by Gabriel Filippi

Like a cat with nine lives, Gabriel's mountaineering career has been all about cheating death over and over. Each chapter recounts these stories but gives each story the full perspective not often included in mountaineering literature. Quebec-based Gabriel Filippi weaves the psychological impacts of leaving family, facing fear, and dealing with the aftermath of surviving tragedy that others didn't along with the mountaineering stories themselves. His openess and almost unbelievable stories is what made this among my favourite mountaineering books of all time.

2. Where the Mountain Casts Its Shadow: The Darkside of Extreme Adventure by Maria Coffey

Ever wonder what toll mountain adventure takes on spouses, siblings, parents and children? This book, written by Maria Coffey, spouse of mountaineer Joe Tasker, interviews many great climbers on what compels them to climb. It also investigates the impact of the families involved when mountaineers do not return home. I read this book over a decade ago and it still lingers with me as a fantastic read due to it's interesting perspective on mountain adventure.

3. The Calling: A Life Rocked by Mountains by Barry Blanchard

Canadian alpinist Barry Blanchard's book 'The Calling' describes a lifetime journey of alpine ascents mainly based out of the Canadian Rockies. I enjoyed this book for it's down to earth style writing, detailed accounts, and how it concluded with the greatest lesson of all learnt from the mountains. 

4. Mountain Rescue Doctor by Christopher Van Tilburg

An ER physician in the Mount Hood area, Dr Van Tillburg is part of a mountain rescue team called the Hood River Crag Rats. If you've ever wondered how rescue teams work and what sort of situations they encounter, this is an interesting collection of stories that is well-written and educational. What impacted me about this book is the countless hours of mainly volunteers who help rescue mountain adventurers at the drop of a hat.

5. Touching the Void by Joe Simpson

Joe Simpson is a British mountaineer that attempted the West Face of Siula Grande, Peru, in 1985. This near fatal story of him and his climbing partner Simon Yates sparked not only a documentary style video but huge controversy in the climbing community. If you enjoy this book, Joe has authored a few other books that are all good reads. 

6. Annapurna by Maurice Herzog

A classic must-read novel in mountaineering literature. Set back in 1950 Maurice and his team attempt a first ascent of Annapurna, now known as one of the most difficult of 8000+m peaks. The story has inspired generations of climbers and so it should- these pioneers made the impossible possible. A great read.

7. Mountains in My Heart: A Passion for Climbing by Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner

Gerlinde is an Austrian mountaineer and the first woman on earth to climb all 14 of the world's 8000m peaks without the use of supplementary oxygen. Small in stature but possessing enormous drive, Gerlinde recounts the numerous attempts and summit successes she encountered in her journey to complete her goal.  

8. Mountaineering, Freedom of the Hills by The Mountaineers

If you are a climber or aspiring climber, this instructional book has been the bible of mountaineering instruction for decades. It has been updated over the years with new additions as new technology, techniques, and equipment have emerged. A fantastic textbook resource for all.

9. Freedom Climbers by Bernadette McDonald

I always thought the Eastern European mountaineering community was tough, but it was confirmed when I read this book. Focused on Polish mountaineers who attempted many ascents during the Second World War, these guys were no stranger to sufferfests. I am a sucker for sufferfest books, and this one is a great one and gives some well-deserved attention to some under recognized mountaineering superstars.

10. Nanda Devi: The Tragic Expedition by John Roskelley

The 1976 Nanda Devi climbing expedition was lead by Willi Unsoeld, a legendary American mountaineer known for his successful first ascent of the West Ridge of Everest expedition in 1963. The story is about his daughter Nanda Unsoeld, named after the Nanda Devi the mountain, and their expedition to climb her namesake mountain. Told by John Roskelley, this critical account of mistakes and risk on this Indian mountain is a good one that shows how some expeditions can be disfunctional and result in tragedy.
 
Interested in more Mount Everest specific recommendations? Check out my list of of Top 10 Favourite Everest Books.

Have any books you'd recommend? I'd love to hear from you!