Summer is probably the best time to plan a short trip with your friends and family and go up north for a small break. Most people love going on mini vacations during summer time because the days are longer and the nights, please. Moreover, if you don’t like chilly winds or are tired of finding snow everywhere, summer is probably the best time for you to plan a short hiking trip with your friends and family.
However, when going on a summer hike, there are many things to consider. Sometimes and in some specific places, summer hike might not be as exciting and fun as it appears to be. No matter how much you love being in the sun, sometimes summer hikes can get you exhausted or make you much more tired than going out in other climates, Which is why you need to be well prepared to make sure you can keep going despite the weather around you.
Since summer is right around the corner and many people are likely to plan a summer hiking trip – we decided to share this article with all of you. If you are among those who are planning a summer hiking trip, then here are 6 tips to keep you going!
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6 Tips for a Summer Hike
1. Start Your Hike Early
Early morning is probably the best time in summer – it’s when the sun is coming up,m so it’s bright but not as hot as it gets in the middle of the day. Hitting the trail early in the morning will give you ample time to jog or walk about the beautiful environment before it starts getting unbearably hot.
Moreover, since summers have longer days, you don’t have to worry about the time – you will get ample time in the sun before it’s time for it to get back down. Not only that, this will motivate you to start your day early and feel more productive as the day passes.
2. Keep Drinking Water
We can emphasize this enough; you need to keep LOTS OF WATER with you! Water is extremely important in hot weather to keep you hydrated and cool. You don’t want to end up exhausted, dehydrated, or feeling nauseous and dizzy after you hike just because of a lack of water.
There is a simple science behind this – in hot weather, when we sweat a lot, we lose a lot of water from our bodies. This can cause dehydration and increase our body temperature, which is bad when the outside temperature is also high.
Hence, hydrate yourself throughout the trip, keep drinking water after short intervals, and, most importantly, don’t forget to pack ample amounts of water. The best thing to do would be to keep a hydration pack instead of multiple water bottles.
3. Dress According to the Weather
The clothes you wear to your hiking trip are very important to make sure you are comfortable throughout – however, sometimes layering hiking gear can get you really hot, which is just not suitable for summer. If you are a regular hiker, you must know that your hiking clothes, such as hiking pants or socks can not work all year long. You need separate hiking clothes for winter and summer hikes. For summer hiking trips, you need to be careful in buying comfortable clothes.
Make sure you pick breathable material and lightweight clothes so they don’t cause you to sweat excessively or cause a rash on your skin. Avoid pure cotton clothes because it does not wick sweat from the body. Moreover, make sure to pick light-colored clothes for summer hikes because black color absorbs sun rays and can make you much hotter. Hence, the best would be to find dry-fit material in khaki or tan color. Lastly, buy clothes in loose fitting.
4. Don’t Forget the Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the most important item to pack in your hiking back if you are going for a hike in summer. Sun rays can do a lot more damage to your skin than you can imagine – there are both short-term as well as long-term negative effects of sun rays; hence you must protect your skin from them.
Summer is the time when the sun is at its peak, and being out in the sun with your skin unprotected at such a time can be disastrous to your skin’s health. Not only does it cause skin tanning, but it can cause skin burns and also lead to skin cancer. So make sure to keep sunscreen with you and keep applying it after every hour or so.
5. Get a Pair of Sunglasses and a Cap
The one thing most of us hate about summer is getting the sunlight in our eyes – it can get really annoying, especially when the sun is shining at its brightest right in our faces. So what’s the best way to avoid it? It is simple – get a pair of sunglasses and a cap to cover your eyes!
We all know sunglasses allow for better vision during the day; you don’t have to worry about not being able to see ahead because the sun is shining in your eyes. And the cap covers your entire face – so not only does it provide you with a share to cover your eyes, but it also protects your face from the sun’s rays.
6. Understand the Danger Signs of Heat Stroke
Lastly, but most importantly, make sure to know and understand the signs and symptoms of heatstroke and be vigilant about them throughout the trip. Do read up about these signs before leaving for your summer hiking trip – as if you feel anything remotely close to these signs and symptoms, take a break in the shade, have as few sips of water as possible, and try to cool your body down.
If you have company, ask them for help to carry you back to your home or somewhere you can rest. And if you are alone, don’t shy away from getting help. The best thing to do would be, if you have a river or a lake near your location, take a break close to it, and when you are feeling better, go for a swim!
Go on Your Summer Hiking Trip!
Summer hikes can be extremely fun and adventurous, given that you are well-prepared to face the sun and are not putting your life in danger. The risks attached to summer hikes are real and can be very dangerous if you are not careful and well-prepared. So next time you are going for your summer hiking trip, don’t forget to follow these tips!