Hot Weather Hunting/Hiking Techniques

[DancesWithKnives]

Last weekend I made the mistake of participating in a mountain backpacking trip where the temps hit at least 105 F (and it was a bit more humid than usual in SoCal). I'm not as good at hiking/working in heat as I was when younger and lighter in weight. However, I drank about a liter of water per hour, wore a 4" brim hat, and took frequent rest stops. Although I would have preferred a backpacking trip along the coast, I ended up getting through it OK and overall enjoyed the trip.

In addition to the basics that I mentioned, what sorts of tips/techniques do you implement when hunting or hiking in hot weather?

DWK

[Rock Chuck]

My suggestion is to watch it on videos from a lawn chair in a shady yard with a cold one in hand.

[Sabre]

My suggestion is to watch it on videos from a lawn chair in a shady yard with a cold one in hand.

That technique is pretty good but personally I like to do my summer "hiking" from behind the wheel of my 4x4 with the A/C cranking full blast.:D I hate hot weather.:eek:

[Bushman]

Not so much hunting or hiking, but I've been caught in some hot sun out fishing. I wear an army surplus camo hat with a brim all around and this year I tried dunking it in the water. I figured that if you lose a high percentage of heat through your head in cold weather, the same should hold true in hot weather. The water evaporating from the hat cooled me down nicely. The cat and I shed about equally, but she grows hers back for some reason so it's best that I keep the old grape covered out there.

At 105 F. hiking wouldn't be on the agenda. Hunting, hiking or hammock? At those kinds of temperatures I'll take door #3.

[DancesWithKnives]

Yes, when the A/C went out on my '93 Chevy K2500 I didn't complain too badly about spending about a grand to replace all the old components. On Sunday I'm driving up the Owens Valley through Mojave and that money will seem very well spent. I'm going hiking again but this time between 9,000 and 11,000 feet where the heat won't be as rough.

And I'll definitely have a cooler of brewskies along!

Wetting the hat is a good idea. I was wearing a wet bandanna around my neck on my recent backpack. I'm a bit reluctant to wet some of my hats because I've had brims deform from being soaked. But the army hat sounds perfect for that treatment.

DWK

[Alan R McDaniel Jr]

In hot weather I used to find a place where the ocean meets the shore and set up a blind, maybe put out a few lines and wait for little fur bearers to work their way along the waterline. With the right bait I could get a few bites from the ones that were easy to skin. Anymore I just watch though. I caught one 33 years ago that was a keeper. The lifetime bag limit is 1!

Alan

[Greywolf]

Alan R McD,

you have a way with words.:D