how hot would you go

S

sasha

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Feb 28, 2006
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Just checked the weather in the anza desert and its in the high 90's. Today at 6pm its still 96deg... Im worried that when i get there i would end up sitting around my camper most of the day as it would be too hot for any hiking. Been there once where they said it was mid 90's and it was just plain too hot for anything. With the temp gauge that i had in the shade showing in the low 100's. Most of the area is bare and the hikes can easy last 10-15 miles. Last time i done it i carried close to 2 gallons of water in that heat.. What do you consider just too hot for hiking??? Last summer i went on a hike with a gallon of water. the hike lasted 14 miles with most of it up a steep grade or down a steep grade. I ran out of water and when i got home i found that i lost about 6lb. Took me 2 days to get back to normal.. Im sitting here torn between going or not.. I realy need to get away... The high sierra are still too cold and snow covering most of the trails and some of the roads are still closed maybe till next month.

Sasha
 
I used to work in the desert in Southern New Mexico, near Carlsbad and Hobbs. Many of the projects were scheduled for summer months when the temperatures are over 100 degrees for most of the day. Times when it was only 95 felt pretty good. And yes, my job involved hiking - all day, every day. It was ~really~ hot down in the dune blowouts.

Not what I would call fun though, and I certainly wouldn't plan recreational hikes for those conditions.

The positive aspect, you won't feel crowded by other hikers. :)
 
Go out there when you'll hit a full moon. Start really early (4am) and try and hit your destination in the early morning.
 
I grew up hiking around Salton Sea and the Chocolate Mtns. It was regularly well over 100.
When Dove hunting Sept. 1st every year it was also extremely humid. It takes time to adjust and lots of water but it can be a lot of fun.
 
What will make a better story when you write your book?

I know. not a real answer but its how I try to look at it when things don't turn out as planed. Those times usually make better stories than when everything goes as expected.

I'd go. You've done it before by the sound of it and you know what to expect.
 
When I lived around Phoenix I'd do most of my hiking early in the morning and be out of the sun by noon. I'd come out again as it started to set.

But we are talking highs of 115 which makes 96 seem like spring. :D
 
ilbruche said:
When I lived around Phoenix I'd do most of my hiking early in the morning and be out of the sun by noon. I'd come out again as it started to set.

But we are talking highs of 115 which makes 96 seem like spring. :D
Click to expand...

Indeed. Phoenicians consider 96 to be mild, not hot.
 
I spent two days and nights in the Sonoran Desert two years ago. First day was 106, second was 109. Slept on the warm ground at night and had no cooler - so you had to force yourself to drink warm water. Had a tarp for shade but still ventured out exploring during the day. Also built a solar still (as a test) - never do that again.

That being said, I was ready to move to northern AZ, which we did, and it took a half a day to re-coop. So to answer your question, I would do it, but be prepared to move on when you start getting run down.

Mid 90's isn't that bad if it is dry and you can rehydrate regularly. Will be back on another adventure in AZ in a week - can't wait.
 
The camel packs of today do help with distributining water during carry, but there is only so much water you can carry and its sounds like your environment isn't exactly provisioning water for you.

Under those conditions I would limit travel distance even it it means backtracking on the same trail at a shorter distance. This isn't always a bad thing. It is remarkable how the same trail can be very different the next day e.g. different wildlife being spotted and getting to see things you missed the first time around.
 
Yeah, start early in the morning. Also if you can find some shade, hang around till late evening and start hiking back out.
 
If you don't like that much heat, try going to the mountains, but not as high as the snow.

Friday night was our 11-year-olds scouts' first camp trip. We had about 10 boys out there. I was surprised when the guy in charge, who'd asked me to come out and teach a map and compass class, said that the low during the night was in the 30's. The high here yesterday was about 82. It did feel warm, in comparison.

That's the big issue to me, re: heat and cold. Whatever you are acclimated to, a change will be exaggerated beyond what the temp actually is. 96 is kind of hot for most of our country, unless you live in one of those places where it is a springtime high. 35 is kind of cold, unless you live in one of those places where a large portion of the year doesn't approach that for the high.

I would go somewhere, regardless of the temp. My activities and how long I stay might be adjusted, but I hate to just stay home all weekend.
 
My area gets well into the 100's during the summer. I try to get out in the morning or early evening or else roast. If I have plenty of water and hike at a slower pace, I can handle the heat easier. Yesterday was 95, and I got out for a nice hike. Just rested in any shade I found.
 
95 (in the shade) is hot to hike.
If you are not aclimatized to hard exersize in the heat, then it can be deadly.

Here, Officers get charged if their soldiers dehydrate.
 
neeman said:
Here, Officers get charged if their soldiers dehydrate.
Click to expand...

I like that instead of charging the soldier make the officer responsible. I was tired of officers so worried about there promotion potential that they placed the blame on their men, instead of taking responsibility.
 
Well i ended up not going.. Called the ranger station, He says that were i were planning to go its over 100deg. They are having a heat wave that might pass around mid week. So i might go later. The rangers had to rescue some people already who tried to go hiking in mid day. I can handle it but its not as much fun and i hate to sit close to the car most of the day About 10 years ago i done it with the temp about same.. It was no fun sat next to the car most of the day and hiked in the morning and evening. Its not an area where you want to go hiking at night.. The worst part is if you have a meeting with some jumping choia..... Its something to say about pulling the barbed thorns out of your skin. I were learning a fourth laungage while pulling them out if you guys know what i mean. There was nothing alive moving till after 8pm. So i got up today and ended up going hiking to angeles forest... Its hot but with some shade.
Im bummed as i go there every year. To beat the heat and the people i go there on X-mas. Have most of the desert to my self

Sasha
 
Neeman when i grow up in Israel. They always were talking about how to proper handle the heat.. I remember the movies they used to show up how to drink water and cloths. I still follow that everytime i go hiking in the summer time. Stay safe out there you hear...

Sasha
 
Heat is one thing; heat coupled to high humiditude is a real killer. Keeping hydrated is a necessity at all times, but when you have high relative humidity, sweat fails to evaporate. Evaporating sweat is the body's most important method of divesting itself of heat.
 
I'd take the suggestion of going to the mountains and staying below the snow. Remember that it can still freeze, snow, etc.

I, personally, don't enjoy hiking in 90+ temperatures. I've lived around Albuquerque, New Mexico most of my life and avoid hiking in the heat. Yeah, if you've got LOTS of water it can be done, but I just don't personally enjoy it.
 
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