A Brief Discussion on Hiking in Hot Weather
Summer is not an ideal season for hiking. With the intense sun, particularly high temperatures, and frequent rainfall, these unfavorable environmental factors can all impact hikers’ performance. Most importantly, it’s about each hiker’s individual physical condition. This isn’t to say that hiking in summer should be avoided altogether, but rather that hiking enthusiasts should consider the above factors before setting out and choose suitable hiking routes to help reduce the number of hiking-related incidents making headlines.
Choosing the Right Clothing
As I mentioned last year regarding hiking attire, in summer it’s essential to avoid direct sun exposure that can burn your skin. Materials that are sweat-absorbent and quick-drying are most suitable for hiking. Brightly colored clothing can reflect sunlight, thereby reducing body heat.
The Two Major Summer Hazards
Hiking in the scorching summer can be enjoyable and a great way to build fitness. However, one must be cautious of the two major hazards of summer hiking: heatstroke and heat exhaustion. As advised by coroner’s guidelines from years ago, it’s important to distinguish between the symptoms of heatstroke and heat exhaustion. Since the treatment methods for these two life-threatening conditions differ, mistaking one for the other could lead to serious consequences.
Annoying Sudden Showers
As the government’s public service slogan goes, summer is the rainy season. In May and June, it seems to rain nearly every day, and by July, the Observatory’s weather forecasts frequently predict scattered showers. These sudden downpours make hikers feel as if hot coals have been doused with cold water — truly an unpleasant sensation. Most July showers are heavy downpours. If you encounter one while hiking, it can be quite confusing — wearing a raincoat will cause sweat to soak your clothes, but not wearing one will leave you drenched by the rain. The worst part is the feeling afterward, when your clothes are wet and you still have to keep hiking. If you have an umbrella handy, you can stay dry without wearing a raincoat.
A small umbrella can be quite handy in the summer heat — shielding you from the sun under a clear sky, blocking rain during heavy showers, and even helping shade an injured person in case of an unfortunate accident.
Choosing the Right Route
To effectively reduce the occurrence of accidents, the choice of hiking route is key. A well-designed hiking route should have clear exit paths and ideally include supply and communication stations along the way. The length of the route and the degree of elevation gain should be determined based on the physical capabilities of the team members. Beyond these factors, summer adds two more considerations: 1. Access to water sources along the way. Some hikers believe that natural water sources in the wild are too polluted for drinking. I’m not advocating drinking from wild sources here, but in the hot summer, using cool mountain stream water to wash your face and hands can help you cool down and reduce the risk of heatstroke. 2. Whether the chosen hiking path involves prolonged sun exposure. Long periods under the sun can lead to loss of water and salt, increasing the risks of cramps and heatstroke. To make summer hiking more comfortable, it’s best to choose routes that offer occasional shade and pass by streams at reasonable intervals.
Designing a suitable hiking route benefits everyone involved. For some hikers who may be on the verge of heatstroke, the cooling effect of a mountain stream can help revive them quickly, reducing the chance of accidents.
Overestimating Yourself
Do you remember, over a year ago, also in the tail end of summer, some participants in the Oxfam Trailwalker training were pushing their limits under the blazing sun. As a result, one of them suffered from heatstroke and, tragically, passed away due to lack of timely rescue.
This incident serves as a lesson: physical training should be tailored to individual fitness levels. Don’t push your body beyond its limits. Training needs to be gradual and take time to reach peak condition.
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