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Summer's coming! I know that calendars
don't usually mark summer until mid-June and it's only April, but
calendars don't mean the same thing in some parts of the world. Here
in the southern US, it's not uncommon to see 70- or 80-degree
temperatures in the spring and fall...and we won't even talk about
how hot it gets in the summer! For this reason, it's particularly
important to know what to wear and do if you plan on spending much
time outside. Here are a few suggestions on what to wear if you are
going on a daytime hike.
Pants or capris. Shorts are okay
for simple walking or climbing a rock wall, but it's better to have
your legs covered when hiking uphill because of the scrapes you can
get if you slip and slide down. If you've ever lost your step and
skidded over rock and dirt, you know what I mean.
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
There are fabrics such as 'dri-fit' that pull sweat from your body,
but other clothing should be made of cotton or some other
'breathable' fabric. Shirts may be sleeveless, but wearing a bikini
top while climbing (yes, I've seen hikers doing this) is not
recommended for the same reason I warned against shorts. The sun
exposure can damage your skin, and...well, let's just say the men on
your trip will appreciate what could happen if you fall more than the
women will. :) Not all bikini tops are like this, but it's just not a
good idea.
Shoes with skid-resistant soles.
The summer may be 'sandal weather', but it is best for shoes to be
closed-toe.
Other Do's
Do make sure you bring plenty of
water. Keeping hydrated is very important, even if you don't find
your activity to be particularly strenuous.
Do wear sunglasses.
Do make sure you eat. You might
not feel hungry, but you still need to eat the same as you would any
other time of the year. If you're worried about losing your cookies
in the heat, 5-6 small meals a day and including lots of fruit can be
a big help.
Do try to avoid outdoor activity
during the hottest part of the day. It's usually the hours between
11am-3pm, but it could be shorter or longer depending on where you
are.
Do listen to your body's
signals. Our friend Danielle http://www.womensoutdoorlife.com/2012/05/summer-series-how-to-avoid-heat-related.html
wrote a couple of posts about the
dangers of 'over-heating'. Rest when you need to, drink when you
need to and eat when you need to. Don't worry about slowing anyone else down.
And, for one of the most important
'dos'-
Wear sunscreen! I know you
probably hear this every five minutes, but it's really important.
Aside from skin cancers, the sun can dry out your skin and make you
more prone to wrinkles. Remember that lady you saw at the company
picnic whose arms looked like a Naugahyde sofa? That's what excess
exposure to the sun can do to your skin over time. Even if your skin
is naturally darker and less prone to burning than your redheaded
counterparts, you should still wear sunscreen because the extra
melanin your skin has doesn't make you immune to skin cancer.
These are just a few of the things to
keep in mind during the summer months. Taking the proper precautions
when doing outdoor activities is a good way to make sure a good time
is had by all. Have fun!
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