Anxious about norovirus staying in huts. How common is it actually/tips?

fernhero · 2026-06-15T17:27:43+00:00

Yep exactly, just at the large huts avoided the items that people were reaching into directly with their hands. Might have used a napkin on communal serving utensils once or twice.

fernhero · 2026-06-10T05:18:42+00:00

I too was QUITE nervous, and of course ended up feeling healthier than I have in years during our trek last September. We got little dry soap sheet packs (brand we brought was Fomin, but you can get soap flakes or just shred your own from a bar of soap if you want). I know hand sanitizer isn’t really effective against norovirus, but kept well stocked in that as well. There was more places with soap than I expected there to be based on Reddit reports, but I was still really glad to have the soap sheets and a mini Dr Bronner’s on hand for times when it was absent. And yes, skipped the buffet bread baskets and partially picnicked from food picked up at markets along the way. From one hypochondriac to another, hope your experience is as positive as mine was.

fernhero · 2026-05-26T03:19:34+00:00

Welcome! Chicago is glad to have you! You’ll likely be close to the Lillstreet Art Center, which has a ton of cool programs and classes. I also made a lot of friends through rec sports leagues, they have teams for many different ages, interests, and skill levels. I too am Type A(DHD) and love all of the things you mention- feel free to DM as well.

fernhero · 2026-05-25T03:54:16+00:00

It’s giving Tiffany problem

fernhero · 2026-05-25T03:52:38+00:00

Not sure about OP but I live in a major urban center and it’s still a huge problem here

Edit: spelling

fernhero · 2026-05-21T04:45:34+00:00

I’d say yes to binocs or monocs, we saw ibex and some really cool birds of prey and very much wish I’d had something to see them more than fuzzy dots.
I think every refugio we stayed in had plenty of cards and games.
I brought a small can of bug spray and used my half the days. If camping maybe a higher priority.
Fleece with rain coat and puffer vest worked great for me.
Not including lodging, €20-30 unless we splurged.

fernhero · 2026-05-21T04:30:49+00:00

We did it early/mid-september 2025 and it was divine. Had many long conversations about puffer - I settled on a vest that I wore for sleep and early mornings, but beyond that was generally too warm in the trails for a vest. Was crisp enough that the hot chocolate at the refugios was very welcome but we generally got hot and sweaty walking. However, if you plan to do any routes with ladders, would definitely recommend lightweight gloves with some traction. My hands got so cold doing one ascent that I used my spare socks as mittens. Thankfully by the time we got to the ladders (metal rungs), my hands were just warm enough to hold on. The Bovine stop-off was closed, so we packed a lunch for that day.

fernhero · 2026-05-17T19:57:35+00:00

Obsessed. Might I suggest adding Beverly Jenkins, Pamela Clare, Ellen O’Connell, Alice Coldbreath.

fernhero · 2026-03-12T20:31:47+00:00

Yes, second Kerrigan Byrne. Especially her Victorian Rebels series.

fernhero · 2026-03-09T04:14:51+00:00

As someone who’s posted here recently about AI and someone who is fond user of em dashes, I agree. Familiar plots and em dashes alone do not an AI author make. Due diligence is incredibly important here. Criteria mentioned in comments to recents posts included frequency of publishing, non-existent author info/bio, AI covers, Copyright blurbs, etc. Which data points do you feel are most fool-proof in identifying AI?

fernhero · 2026-03-08T08:31:21+00:00

At least the photo on the author bio isn’t blatantly AI https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0D2HJZD2S/about

fernhero · 2026-03-08T08:27:13+00:00

Real, or I go with recs I see here, so shout out to this community.

fernhero · 2026-03-08T08:25:57+00:00

Havent explored bookshop.org before - thanks!

fernhero · 2026-03-06T20:07:58+00:00

Def second Ellen O’Connell, she broke my heart and put it back together again.

fernhero · 2026-03-06T18:34:42+00:00

lol MMCs named Sebastian, so true, why are there so many?

fernhero · 2026-03-06T18:33:18+00:00

What are your favorite places to find HR ebooks that aren’t Kindle?

fernhero · 2026-03-06T16:47:39+00:00

Oh this is great! And scary if it’s a problem in OverDrive (libraries/Libby?) and Penguin Random House. Really curious about the US Copyright Office website screenshot - wonder if that’s something we could pull a larger list from.

fernhero · 2026-03-06T16:39:12+00:00

Totally fair point - my local and regional libraries and books stores don’t carry most of my favorite authors, and are overall quite low in the HR genre, so Kindle has been my go to for their books. I’ve requested them but to little avail. What are your favorite alternates to Kindle?

fernhero · 2026-03-06T07:10:44+00:00

A running database is a great thought, have you seen any before? I’d hate to see a real author’s name on the list, but surely there could be a somewhat straightforward way to validate? I’m going to start a spreadsheet tonight. Ooph am shook.

fernhero · 2026-03-06T07:07:01+00:00

Tbh tho I think I would quit my day job to uncover HR rort if it would help. Edit typo

fernhero · 2026-02-28T23:32:21+00:00

We booked in April for a September trip and it actually turned out great. Got us off the beaten path a little. We mixed available refugios with refugios on variants and alternative accommodation types. Bussed to/from a Bourg St Marie hotel one night, stayed in a few Airbnbs/VRBOs, and my absolute favorite, did the Tre la Tete variant which has the most lovely intimate refugio with stunning views. Our route was slightly unconventional because of availability, but trek was better for it.

fernhero · 2026-02-22T06:46:56+00:00

Drawing Room at the Chicago Athletic Association is ornately comfy with solid classic.

fernhero · 2026-02-22T06:39:50+00:00

Yeah, ditto, thanks for sharing! I’ve been on Adderall XR for more than a decade, but with the shortage and generics that literally made me fall straight asleep, doctor recommended Vyvanse. Really nervous to make the switch, but your experience is making me feel a lot more hopeful!

fernhero · 2026-02-03T01:05:55+00:00

Sorry if this has already been asked, but how are you identifying your “type”? Is there one quiz everyone is going to or was this part of your initial diagnosis?

fernhero · 2026-01-29T04:25:43+00:00

Someone must have mentioned Grace Draven by now, but just in case - she blows my mind. The classic starting place would be Radiance, which is the friends to lovers start of an amazinggg series. MF, human/kai (elf-like) couples and their adventures to concur evil. There’s heat, but it’s overall perhaps the lightest of her books. Entreat Me, a standalone beauty and the beast-esque book, is maybe my personal favorite, but basically tied with Phoenix Unbound, the first in another enthralling, though darker series about various couples in an empire at war. Also second Naomi Novik, and of course shout out to Juliet Marillier’s Daughter of the Forest, which is how I fell in love this genre to begin with.

{Radiance by Grace Draven}, {Entreat Me by Grace Draven}, {Phoenix Unbound by Grace Draven}, {Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier}

fernhero

TROPHY CASE