Summertime Desert Hikers

dnoe · Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 33 Location: Scottsdale

Hay DesertDog- Have you ever thought of doing labarge canyon in the summer? Starting from canyon lake then throudg the river bed north of battleship mtn. . Its a 5 mile hike ane there is a natural spring( to my knowlege always has water). I have done it in the summer before an the was plenty of water.
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Damian Noe

DesertDog · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 402

Randy · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 34 Location: Kingman, AZ

I hike year-round in all types of weather. To tell you the truth, I prefer mind numbing heat to mind numbing cold. However, understanding my abilities and being prepared are keys to a good day hiking this time of the year. Water consumption and water conservation are the two most important things I can do for myself. What I mean by water conservation is: First, my body requires water to digest food, therefore, I do not eat for several hours before my hike. Second, I cover-up from head to toe: big straw hat, bandana for the neck and ears, a light wool long sleeve shirt, gloves, long khaki cotton pants, good boots, and of course, sunglasses (ok, sunglasses don’t conserve water - do they?). Your body works like an evaporator, if you run around in shorts and a t-shirt you wont benefit as much from the cooling effects of your sweat; your body works harder and you consume more WATER to stay cool. Third, I do not push myself to get anywhere fast! A steady easy pace where I am not breathing through an open mouth is another way to conserve water.

Since water is my only meter of choice, I do not use time or distance to factor my actual time out or distance traveled. Once I mark a truck way-point with my GPS, I meander here and there until my water is near half gone. I don’t worry about it too much, I just sip until it is near half gone. At this point I turn the GPS back on and head straight back to the truck. I have never run out of water using this method. And, I believe I have never dehydrated myself using this method.

Last but not least, When it is hot, I like to start in the late afternoons. Why? Because, it rarely gets hotter in the late afternoon to early evenings. If I begin at 5:00pm @ 100 degrees f, chances are it will be cooler on my trip back. And since I use my water as my trip meter “near half gone” as a turn around point, I use less water on the trip back when temperatures are normally dropping. Mornings work in the opposite, and for this reason I DO NOT START OUT EARLY WHEN IT IS COOL, AND THE FORECAST IS CALLING FOR RISING TEMPERATURES. You can get yourself into a lot of trouble because you feel good on the way out, but get hammered by high temperatures on the way in.

Tommy · Joined: 21 Jul 2005 Posts: 192

Thanks for the great tips Randy! (welcome, by the way.) I also would rather hike in heat than not hike at all - but yes, the heat does add a whole new dimension to the adventure.

Randy · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 34 Location: Kingman, AZ

Tom Treks · Gear Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3347

Umm, yeah, we're really here.

Check the events section for some upcoming group things. Climb aboard.

Hikngrl · Posted: 7/26/2006, 8:21 pm Post subject:

Are we for real? Silly question! Of course we are and we have a great time and see some really great places! Come join us some time! There's bunches of us!
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~~~Diane~~~

I want to shine!

IGO · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 4144 Location: Las Vegas

I've pounded out a few bazillion miles around Kingman. I lived in Golden Valley for 10 years where I hiked just about every minute I had a chance. When I lived in Kingman I only EVER knew 2 other backpackers the entire time. I live in Vegas now. Welcome. Hiking

Matter of fact, be ready for me to pick you up at 2:30PM next Friday(8/4) to walk 14 miles with us through West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon. Bring food and a bag. Food for me and a bag for you 'cause we'll be gone 'til Sunday. Very Happy

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"Surely all God's people, however serious or savage, great or small, like to play. Whales and elephants, dancing, humming gnats, and invisibly small mischievous microbes - all are warm with divine radium and must have lots of fun in them." John Muir

azbackpackr · Posted: 7/27/2006, 5:31 am Post subject:

Welcome, Randy! As for us being here, well, some of us are not quite all here, Silly

, but we still participate! Laughing

I just met some of the folks in person for the first time as I, too, live pretty far from Phoenix. After corresponding with them for six months I must confess I was a bit nervous when I showed up at their campsite, but they are nice folks and fun, too!

Your heat hiking advice was excellent. I still don't want to hike in the heat anymore, but up here in the White Mtns. "heat" is relative. The locals whine when it's over 90!

Hnak · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 1766 Location: Prescott, AZ

We're actually an eating group. Sometimes we walk around a bit to build up our appetites...

I agree about the term 'heat' being relative. Besides, 90 IS hot!!! Wink

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The world is older and bigger than we are. This is a hard truth for some folks to swallow. —EDWARD ABBEY

azbackpackr · Posted: 7/27/2006, 11:50 am Post subject:

Yeah, the food was great at Big Lake!

Randy · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 34 Location: Kingman, AZ

Thank you Tom, I will.

Randy

Randy · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 34 Location: Kingman, AZ

Randy · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 34 Location: Kingman, AZ

Randy · Joined: 26 Jul 2006 Posts: 34 Location: Kingman, AZ