Summer hiking is a different animal when it comes to hitting the trail. Besides the heat of the midday sun to think about there are tons of other factors that should be considered when preparing for your hike. In this post I will lend some tips that I have learned through my hiking experience that can aid you in battling the warm weather, busy bugs, and itchy ivy.
Warm weather hike category 1- The Heat
In the Northeast the midday sun can be brutal. Topping that with humidity, and dehydration becomes a real issue. Here are some tips to help you stay cool not only in those Northeast summer trails but anywhere the sun may become a factor in your hike.
- Hike in the morning – getting out a bit earlier than you may want to can help you stay cooler by avoiding the blazing afternoon sun.
- Stay in the shade- if possible hike under the canopy of trees and in the shaded areas, but also be mindful of any vegetation that’s nearby so that you’re not also putting yourself into an itchy situation.
- Wear long sleeves and pants – the long sleeves and pants can actually help prevent sun burns especially if you have SPF rated clothing. If you can, get loose fit and breathable fabric.
- Wear a hat- a hat, especially wide brimmed, can help shield your head from the sun, and a breathable one can help let out sweat and heat that collects under the cap.
- Use sunblock- If you’re going to go shirtless or sleeveless, avoiding sunburn will not only help you prevent a painful experience after the hike, it’s also healthier for your body.
- Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate- hiking is a physical activity, you should treat it like any sport and make sure you’re well hydrated before, during, and after your hikes. But don’t over hydrate either, listen to your body, know your limitations and replace much needed electrolytes.
- Prepare for the trail – I have a few go to apps for finding the trails which also have features telling me the elevation, distance, and approximate time to completion. Use these apps and the internet to your advantage to plan your trip according to your skill.
- Check the weather- Hiking is fun in the sun, but if the temperature is too high it may be better to save that trail for a cooler day.
But the heat isn’t the only factor that can put a hamper on your warm weather hike.
Warm weather hike category 2- The Bugs
With warm weather comes those pesky bugs. Some of those tips in dealing with the heat can also help with fending off bugs such as: wearing long sleeves, pants, and a hat to prevent bug bites on open skin. But here are a few more tips that can also help:
- Use bug spray- find a good bug spray to use. Preferably one containing DEET as that can ward off Ticks which spread nasty diseases. But if you prefer non- DEET types, one that has a picaridin formula, citronella, and/ or other essential oils like tea tree may also work. For best results you can test around your yard, town, or city park where you have dealt with bugs before and see how it fairs before hitting the trails.
- Wear light colored clothing- this is more for ticks but also for other hitchhiking bugs. The light clothing will make it easier to see a tick or other pest that may want to cling on and come home with you post hike. Light colors also help to reflect sun light and absorb less heat.
- Don’t wear cologne or perfume- the sweet smell of body sprays or deodorant can actually attract bugs and be counterproductive to your repellent.
- Post hike shower- after a hike, place hiking clothes in washer or bag so if there are any bugs, they don’t make your home their home. Then check yourself for hitchhiking insects, especially in your hair, under arms. And shower to wash off anything still hanging on.
Bugs and heat are a big nuisance for warm weather hikes, but our final category may have you feeling itchy without ever stepping foot on the trail.
Warm weather hike category 3- Itchy Plants
On trails there are plenty of nuisance pants that can become problematic if you happen to rub up against them. The most infamous of them all is poison ivy. Luckily, many of our previous tips also apply to poison ivy and the other itch causing vegetation.
- As we said, wear long pants and sleeves- I know long sleeves don’t sound like they should be repeated so much on a list for dealing with warm weather hike issues, but imagine rubbing against a pricker bush, cactus, or rash causing plant with bare skin. The added barrier from long sleeves, and pants may help prevent you from having to deal with a rash later.
- Be aware of your surroundings- when you go to answer nature’s call, or end up close to vegetation because your bushwacking or just near the edge of the trails, stay alert to the type of plants you may be in contact with and try to avoid touching anything unnecessarily this not only prevents you from possibly developing a rash or having a thorn embed in you but it is also a good Leave No Trace practice.
- Take a shower post hike- as with bugs, wash off anything that may irritate you later and be conscientious of any rashes that form post hike. Seek professional advice if something doesn’t look right post hike.
- Wash clothes separately- urushiol oil is what most people are allergic to and what causes the rash when you touch poison ivy. Best to wash clothes you think came in contact with poison ivy separately and with the highest temperature the clothes will tolerate without damaging them. Then you can run the machine when empty to get rid of the oils and use some detergents specifically designed for urushiol oil. Don’t forget to wear gloves if handling contaminated clothes.
If you would like to know more about poison ivy and how to deal with it, you can check out Poison Ivy: 3 Leaved Itchy Menace of the Woods.
Conclusion:
Warm weather is the best time for viewing the lush vegetation and energetic wildlife. Armed with this information, you will be better able to cope with the unique stressors of hiking in warm weather. Always plan accordingly and hike within your limits and don’t forget to enjoy the trails and their tales in all seasons.
