From a young age, I remember being warned by my father about the dangers of the hot and deadly Arizona desert. At that age, I likely brushed it aside, questioning how I would ever get stuck in a dangerous situation in the desert heat. Luckily, to this day, I still haven’t had the misfortune of needing to call for help. However, each summer, there are many people in the southwest desert who do need lifesaving help after enduring days — or even just hours — in triple-digit heat. This could be due to underestimating the hot weather, hiking during the hottest parts of the day, carrying too little water, or not having appropriate gear.
Staying safe in the heat
Staying safe in hot climates isn’t just smart, it can save your life. While there are ways to stay cool (like pouring water on yourself throughout the trip), these six tips are a great foundation to understand before your adventure.
Start early
While not everyone is an early bird, starting early is the best way to protect yourself when hiking in hot climates. Your body will be less stressed in the cooler weather, which will allow it to respond better on your trek.
Carry double your water
This is absolutely key. Carry at least an extra liter than you normally would. This is twofold. The first is because you drink more water in the heat — even if you aren’t conscious of it. Second, having extra water in case of an emergency is crucial. You can go three days without water. Having extra on hand can help prolong your life.
Keep your trips short
There’s no need to push yourself in 100-degree temperatures. I promise you, there’s no trophy. If you’re gung-ho on being outside, try to keep your workouts to under an hour.
Tell people where you’re going
Let your friends or family know where you are. If you happen to fall or break an ankle in the scalding heat, you only have days to make it out without help. Giving search and rescue an area in which to look will greatly increase the odds you’re found.
Wear sunblock
Protect your skin. Wearing sunscreen is crucial. While preventing sun damage is the long-term goal, the short-term focus is to help thwart symptoms you feel with severe sunburns. These can be debilitating, making you nauseous and exhausted. Having those symptoms in the summer heat could prove deadly.
Understand what gear is appropriate
Knowing what gear is meant for warmer climates and what isn’t is key. Wearing comfortable clothes, as well as headwear that protects your face from the sun and keeps you cool is paramount. Continue reading below to see what gear you should be wearing as you adventure in hot climates.
The gear you need (and don’t need)
When it comes to gear in hot weather, this can be the difference between having a good time and shaking your fists at the heavens in misery. The first step is having loose, moisture wicking gear. This will help your body regulate heat without your clothes feeling like you just stepped out of the shower.
This also applies to our footwear. We mostly think about breathable clothes, but our boots work the same way. Picking footwear that not only protects our feet but keeps them from overheating is key. From personally hiking in Arizona, I know how hot the ground can get which heats up your shoes extremely fast. It’s not fun.
Next, protect as much of your body from the sun as possible. This isn’t just smart to decrease your risk of skin cancer, but it will also keep you cooler and make you feel better. The first step is to have a wide brimmed hat. If it’s not outrageously hot, hiking in pants is another great way to block the sun. Plus, if the area you’re hiking in is a bit rugged, you come out with less abrasions.
On the flip side, there’s plenty of great gear out there that just doesn’t mesh well in the summer heat.
First, don’t wear dark colors. Stick to neutral or bright colors as they absorb less heat. You’ll notice the difference if you go out in a black shirt versus a white one. Keep those dark colors for the winter.
Next, don’t wear long sleeves that are cotton. Basically, stay away from cotton in general but specifically stay away from cotton long sleeves. These are going to hold onto all your sweat, making you feel muggy. If you are to look into long sleeves, find well-ventilated moisture-wicking fabric. You’ll feel cool and it keeps your skin from being exposed.
Sleeping in warmer climates
What about when the sun dips below the horizon? While desert days can reach high temperatures, nights away from the concrete jungle can surprisingly drop to 60 or 70 degrees.
This isn’t cold by any stretch but it’s also a bit too chilly for only a sheet. Some may assume they can bring their backpacking sleeping bag or one meant for colder climates. You can, but you’ll be roasting. Buying a second bag will make your life better.
While this may sound like a ploy to get you to spend more money, it’s rooted in logic. If you only have one top-notch sleeping bag that you bring everywhere, it’s going to get worn down quickly. It’s also likely the one you have is far too warm for summer weather and you’re going to sweat through it. This adds unnecessary oils to the inside of your bag which will contribute to your bag breaking down faster than usual.
Getting a summer bag will help prolong the life of both! Furthermore, a warm weather sleeping bag will be lighter, take up less room while packed, and help you get a full night’s sleep.
How to tell you’re not well
The biggest danger of hot weather hiking is not understanding how quickly you can feel the effects of the sun and heat. While the mornings can be tolerable, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the summer heat can be deadly. It is why some cities are even prohibiting hiking on some popular trails during extreme heat.
The longer you hike, the more tired your body will be. Add in the impact of not having enough water, and you’ll find yourself disoriented and anxious.
I have had personal experience in this. In September 2018, I was hiking with friends just north of Tucson and it ended up being a much warmer day. We all thought we’d prepared correctly and wore the appropriate clothes, shoes, and equipment. Expected temperatures were supposed to max out in the mid-90s. On this day, however, it reached over 100.
Due to overgrowth, the trail was considerably hard and we were slower than we all anticipated. This meant we would be descending the mountain during the hottest part of the day. Because we underestimated the trail, we all brought an inadequate amount of water.
As we hit the halfway point of our four-mile descent, the entire group realized we were all about to run out of water. At this point, I had stopped sweating — a big red warning sign that things are not okay. As one of the faster hikers, I quickened my pace in hopes I could find water at the bottom and have it ready for when everyone else arrived. At the bottom, I knocked on front doors, searching for water. Luckily, one house was being remodeled and the painters were able to give us water and Gatorade to hold us over until we got home.
In the end, we all ended up okay. I tell this story because it can happen to people who are in good shape, prepared, and know the area. It’s why carrying a location device to call for help should be highly considered for all outdoor activities.
Wrapping up
Hot weather hiking takes the same amount of planning and caution as winter hiking. The danger is there, but if you plan, have the correct gear, and take precautions, you can have an amazing time.
Article and Photos by Alec Sills-Trausch
Alec is a photographer, writer, and avid hiker who enjoys pushing the limits to find incredible destinations. He hopes through his work to inspire others to get outside and to respect planet earth so future generations can enjoy it just the same. He’s also a cancer survivor, hoping to use his voice to show that you can have a wonderful life after the treatment.
