On my August backpacking trip to Mt. Langley in the Sierra Nevadas I had a chance to try out a new insect repellent called 45ºN 68ºW. I am always on the lookout for DEET alternatives, and I gave 45ºN 68ºW a try. Despite being mid-August in the Sierra Nevadas, I lucked out and encountered very few mosquitoes, even near the Cottonwood Lakes where we established base camp for our Mt. Langley peak hike. The good news is that 45ºN 68ºW worked well, because 3 days later I came home without any mosquito bites! I only applied it once every morning because the insect conditions were so mild, but the directions say the product can be applied every 3-4 hours.
Unlike DEET, which we all know works wonders against mosquito attacks but is a harsh chemical, 45ºN 68ºW is made of natural ingredients, including neem, citronella, lemon eucalyptus, and soybean oil. The spray has a lemony smell to it, and reminded me of the fresh smell of Pledge lemon-scented furniture polish. While I’d prefer an unscented spray, smelling like freshly polished furniture did not bother me.
For those of you curious about the repellents interesting name… I too was intrigued. The product is named after the coordinates of the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, located on Mt. Katahdin in Baxster State Park, Maine.
Here is the company’s website with more information on 45ºN 68ºW and an online store where you can buy the product.
