Talking 'bout a Heat Wave!

[tknife]

Hope everyone in the southwest is staying cool and hydrated. I got out for the first truly hot weather this season, moving slow and staying in the shade when I could. We have been in triple digits for the past couple of days.



Found an old corral


I made a quick brush banging stick to make sure I didn't step on a rattlesnake


Resting in the shade, I decided to make it a snake poker, just in case


I used yucca fibers for cordage


They held like iron, I couldn't move the sticks at all



I didn't see a snake, or many other animals for that matter. I think I was the only one dumb enough to be out in the heat! But it was a fun hike, and helps me get primed for the hot weather.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Cool snake stick--

Gotta try that myself--but going to have the ex wife test it

 

[monster]

You ain't kidding about this heat, I'm sweatin like a whore in church! It's about time for me to flee the valley for the mountains. Thanks for sharing the pics you inspired me to head up to El Dorado National Forest this weekend.

 

[Mistwalker]

Awesome post T. Looks like a fun trip, but damn it's hot enough here to suit me right now. It may get humid and muggy, but at least I have a canopy to hide from that big-yellow-heater-in-the-sky under I love Yucca, though mainly I use it for fire craft. It isn't indigenous here, but lots of folks use it as an ornamental plant. They don't mind me collecting the dead stalks at the end of the year, but I can usually only manage a few leaves here and there to experiment with, and no roots at all.

Cool snake stick--

Gotta try that myself--but going to have the ex wife test it

Let me know how the tests go. If it fails with her I may see if I can get my ex to do it just so we'll have more data...

 

[mmmotorcycle]

Glad to see you got out and enjoyed an otherwise tough day! I've been to the southwest many times but never though of making a snake stick. Thanks for sharing that.

 

[tknife]

Haha! A pointy stick may be great ex-wife deterrent!

Yucca is my favorite plant around my area, and we have so much of it I can usually grab as much as I need. It makes some crazy strong cordage!

 

[Mikel_24]

You will not find me out there EVER in such hot temperatures. And if I do, it is going to be at night. Temps could be as high, but at least I will not be suffering from sun exposure! Over the years I have found that my body works soooo much better in cold temps. I am at home when ice climbing in -15ºC!! Provided you keep on moving and have adecuate clothing, you can make it through without too much hassle... in the extreme heats... however... there is nothing, sort of being submerged in water, you could do to stay cool...

You are waaaaaaaaaay braver than I am. Kudos for you! And great pictures!

BTW, could you describe the clothing and footwear you were wearing? I would have chosen light colored long sleved garments made of extralight (yet able to protect you from the sun) syntethic fabric, big hat with means to protect your neck... and some kind of ankle high light footwear.

 

[tknife]

Hi Mikel, appreciate your comments! I find that I need to re-accustom myself to the heat when coming off of being out in more temperate weather, so I generally take some shorter hikes (with plenty of water) when the weather turns hot. I definitely do not stay out very long, I am of Scandinavian and Scotch decent so sun is no friend to my skin! read: pasty white.

I mainly wear a boonie hat, or more commonly a Real Deal Brazil hat, along with a long sleeved cotton shirt. When I am on decently maintained trails, I usually wear shorts and trail running shoes (Brooks Cascadias are my favorite) When I know I will be heading into the rocks and brush, I wear Carhartt pants in their lighter canvas material and Danner hot weather boots. I know that in general terms, the mantra is "cotton kills" but find that in my area (with little to no rain or cold), it keeps me cooler and more comfortable than synthetics. Though my underwear, socks and occasionally undershirt are all moisture wicking synthetic (or thin merino wool socks).

I definitely prefer to be out in the cooler times though, and try to head out very early in the morning, or late evening for quick hikes after work.