How to Hike in the Heat

Sunday, September 11th, 2011

For many hikers who hate to waste a hot summer Saturday, going hiking can be a thrilling – and exhausting – experience. But with today’s medical technology, we know just how dangerous it can be to become dehydrated and how quickly a slight case of dehydration can turn into heatstroke. But if you don’t have any other time or climate to hike the trail other than when it’s completely hot, how can you avoid the problems of heat? Here are a few tips.

First, make sure that you’re cleared for hot hiking in the first place. Watch for heat advisories – many times on the radio they will announce these advisories with regularity on the news stations. If your doctor has told you to avoid exercising strenuously, you don’t want to go out in the heat – even simply walking for an extended period of time can be tough on your body.

You’ll also want to consider how to exactly replace what you lose when you sweat. Many people drink plenty of water but find that it doesn’t always replenish them in terms of how they feel: that’s because when you sweat, you also lose other electrolytes like salt and potassium. Bring some pretzels and bananas to snack on so that you can help replace these electrolytes. They won’t be able to keep you going forever, but they’ll help you feel satisfied. Don’t overdo it with the salt: remember that salt can have a dehydrating effect. Simply nibble.

Finally, avoiding the heat means trying to get out when the sun is not at its brightest – avoid the lunchtime hours and try to hike in the early morning or late evening if you can. If your hike needs to wait, go in the early evening before the sun starts setting; otherwise, make plans to hike the day before, when you can control how early you wake up.

Heat can be a tough thing to worry about while you’re exercising, but if you’re in good physical shape, it’s not something that can stop you from enjoying your active hobbies.

Photo Credits: Ken Lund

How to Hike With Your Dog

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

Have you ever gone out on a hike by your lonesome – or with a friend – feeling guilty at the prospect of leaving Man’s Best Friend home alone?

There’s no reason to feel guilty, particularly as you can even start bringing your dog along with you on your hikes. Doing so will help you bond with your dog, bringing you both into a situation where you feel somewhat dependent on each other to keep going. With your dog with you, you won’t have to exit the house to the pattering of Fido scratching on the wall, hoping to come along.

But before you do bring your dog on a hike, make sure to follow these tips and guidelines:

• Make sure your dog has all the vaccination he/she requires. You might already have this covered, but it bears mentioning because of the unpredictability of introducing a dog back into the elements. If you’re not sure, make sure to call or check with a veterinarian before you bring your dog hiking with you.
• Get your dog in shape. Just like you wouldn’t expect yourself to tackle Mount Everest after many years as a couch potato, you can’t simply expect your dog will be in hiking shape, even if you take daily walks. Introduce your dog to hiking with a small hike to begin with – this will both help them get into shape and familiarize them with the environment you’ll be bringing them in to.
• Bring a leash. This is often required at certain hiking trails, but even if not, you’ll want to make sure you have control over your dog. You never know what kind of critter might come along and steal away your dog’s attention. Even if you have a good verbal command over your dog and leashes aren’t required, bring a leash the first couple of times just to be sure. You can always let go of the leash if the dog wants to go explore.
• Remember that you’re drinking for two. Don’t forget that your dog, just like you, will need to keep hydrated, particularly on hot summer days. This might mean a little extra packing. If your dog pants heavily, it’s a fair sign that he or she is already getting dehydrated and needs some water.
• Consider your dog to be like bring a smaller person along with you. How would you prepare to bring another person along with you? You’d need extra supplies of the same things like food and water, yes, but you’ll also need to be prepared with a first aid kit.

Following these simple guidelines a few times will get you used to the idea of taking your dog with you on your excursions into the woods and the great outdoors. But as with anything, make sure you and your dog are ready before you start embarking on your adventures.