BLOG #63 EARLY SEASON HIKING

                                                          EARLY SEASON HIKING


First know that this time of year is some of the best hiking.


However, the sunny warm weather can fool us into thinking the high country is equally warm.
Altho it is warmer, in the shade it can be much cooler.


The other day at Lone Lake, as I was coming down, I came across a couple heading to the lake.
They each had a small water bottle, half full, tennis shoes, tank top & T-shirt, and no other supplies or packs.
(Ahead was a tenth of a mile trail washout, and 3-6 feet of snow.


If the Spring, runoff is high, there is no way to keep dry.
Creeks will flood your shoes/boots, foliage will get you clothes wet, and adverse weather can soak you to the bone, if you aren’t carrying appropriate gear.


It will be near 90° on 6.8-9.24, but up at Lone Lake or any lake, the temps could be as low as 55-65°. If by chance the winds are up, let’s say it’s a moderate temperature, the windchill factor can lower the temps to uncomfortable levels.
Even 5-10° cooler can chill you too much.
HYPOTHERMIA is a condition that zaps the heat out of your body, and you may not even notice the change.


Always observe yourself and your hiking partners for signs of Hypothermia.
If they unzip their jackets, take off their gloves and caps, if they talk slow, or stumble while walking…STOP.
Ask your other hiking partners, to assess the person.
If they concur, act fast. You have very little time to help your friend(s).
Get them bundled up. Put their gloves, caps, jackets on, and if you carry them, apply chemical body warmers to key arteries to warm them.


Once in the American Selkirks on a hike to the Twins of the Seven Sisters, it was 92°. We stop in the shade of rocks for lunch.
An odd storm blew in, and the temps drop about 25°.
One girl on the hike, dressed in shorts, warm top, started going into Hypothermia.
When the thunder started, she was cold.
She thot the claps of thunder, were Bonners Ferry residents shooting artillery rounds at us.


                                                         HYPOTHERMIA IS NO JOKE.


Even on descent days, always carry what you need to get or stay warm.


The below url will direct you to our MEDICAL INFORMATION section.

https://www.inlandnwroutes.com/medical-information.html

This section covers most of the weather related illnesses.


An idea would be to take “screenshots” of the types of illnesses 
you may encounter.
That wise, you have the tools to deal with hot, cold, or wet circumstances.


As I have said many times….plan your trip in such a way, to be able to handle any conditions that pop up with you or your outing
partners.
That includes always having your 13 ESSENTIALS, handy.


PLEASE…PLAN WELL AND BE PREPARED


Chic                David 
InlandNWRoutes.com