In any kind of weather, it’s important to be prepared before you go hiking. In the case of summer heat, this means understanding the dangers and taking the proper steps to make sure you stay healthy, safe, and have a fun time.
Don’t let the heat stop you from enjoying the great outdoors, but know the right tips before you go.
1.Wear Light Clothing With Coverage
This first tip for hot weather hiking is an important one because it feels counter-intuitive. Many people believe that less clothing is better when they’re headed out for a day where they expect to be sweating.
While sunscreen will help with the UV rays coming down on you, it’s best to double up with some lightweight and light-colored clothing. This will keep you cooler in the end and help prevent terrible sunburns at the end of the day.
- Sunscreen And A Hat
Sun coverage is important, even if you manage to hike a lot in the shade. Wear your sunscreen, wear a hat, and be mindful of your exposure.
- Let Your Body Acclimate
As you begin summer hiking, you will need to letter your body acclimate. You may not always be aware of how hard you are pushing yourself, so take good care. Once you’ve been hiking in the heat for a while, you’ll get used to it and be able to push yourself further. Until then, be mindful of taking breaks. When you can walk in the shade, do. Keep yourself cool and avoid hiking for too long.
- Understand The Importance of Hydration
If you’re hiking in the summer heat, you need to understand how to keep yourself properly hydrated. This means drinking a lot of water. It also means replenishing your electrolytes, possibly by enjoying a sports drink or two and increasing your salt intake. A good tip for this is to enjoy some pretzels as a snack on the trail.
- Watch Carefully For Signs of Heat Exhaustion
If you’re starting to feel overly fatigued, don’t just brush it off. This can be a sign of heat exhaustion. So are symptoms like nausea, headaches, feeling faint or dizzy. If you seem to be sweating more than expected or your pulse is rapid, take these things seriously. If you suspect you’re experiencing heat exhaustion, take a rest somewhere shady, drink more water, and try to cool down.