Saturday July 7, 2012 Very Hot 104 Degrees

Saturday July 7, 2012  Very Hot

HEAT RISKS!

Heat emergencies that would be quickly and easily rectified in the front country may result in permanent injury or death in the back country

At 13:45 it was around 104 degrees at the contact station.

HYDRATION!
It would not be unusual for an adult doing this hike in these high temperatures to require 120 ounces or more of water

With very hot weather upon us remember that this hike requires lots of exertion and you will have no sources of water on the mountain. Once you are back in the hollows many springs and small water courses will be dry. When you can find open water keep in mind it should be filtered, treated or boiled if you are going to consume it. With the amount of sweating you will be doing pay attention to your electrolyte replacement as well.

PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOURSELF AND MEMBERS OF YOUR PARTY

While this hike is within easy driving distance of modern front country conditions it is BACK COUNTRY. Assume your cell phone will either not work or only work high on the mountain which means you will need to walk hours just to get to a phone to report any emergency. Once reported an emergency response will take additional hours. A heat emergency that would be quickly and easily responded to with lots of water, perhaps even ice, or an air conditioned environment in the front country will not have these resources available on Old Rag. Dealing with extreme heat can present a much greater challenge than dealing with cold. With the cold you can add extra layers (assuming you brought them) but with temperatures in the 90's and above you probably do not have any layers to shed. Heat emergencies that would be quickly and easily rectified in the front country may result in permanent injury or death in the back country.

Individuals who are impaired in their ability to self regulate in hot temperatures will be at extreme risk on this hike when the temperatures go above 90 especially so when temperatures approach or exceed six figures. Taking an infant on this hike in hot temperatures may be just as irresponsible as leaving them in a locked car in the sun. Encouraging someone you know to use this hike to burn some extra calories or get in better shape may be a great idea at 75 degrees but result in a medical emergency at hotter temperatures.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The next link is specific to hot weather hiking in Grand Canyon but much of its advice is applicable to any hot weather hike:
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hike-smart.htm

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heat_guide.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_illness

The next link is specific to hot weather hiking with infants and todlers in Grand Canyon but much of its advice is applicable to any hot weather hike with young children:
http://www.nps.gov/grca/photosmultimedia/hike_smart-05.htm



A hazy view west from just above the CCC stairs on the Saddle Trail.

A view of Old Rag near Byrds Nest shelter.

I almost never see snakes on the trails during the day but often see them on or near the trails and roads at night.   You should have a good light and be paying attention.

WATCH WHERE YOU PUT YOUR HANDS AND FEET!

The following picture is of a black phase Timber Rattler sliding down onto an Old Rag trail.   Please do not harm any of the snakes in the park.   They keep the rodent population down which in turns limits the number of infected ticks.

A picture of the same Timber Rattle snake a few seconds later.

A Copperhead seen on the Weakly Hollow Fire Road.

Sat. April 25, 2009 Summer In April

A SUMMER LIKE HOT WEEKEND

Leigh and Lorita on duty at Old Rag Fee Station. Double click on this picture and notice the temperature in the shade on the fee station thermometer.

They are examples of the terrific National Park Service staff I have had the pleasure to know and work with. I look forward to touching bases with them at the start of my patrols. They provide me with valuable insights about recent events on Old Rag. An Old Rag morning report so to speak.

It is fun and fascinating to watch and listen to the various park rangers doing their job. Each brings a different personality and background to the job. Dealing with park visitors is as much an art as it is a science and every time I watch and listen to a National Park Service employee helping visitors I learn something new.


Yellow Swallowtail on a Lilac Bush along the road between the lower and upper lots. I used to think of this stretch of walking as an obstacle to be endured on the way to my hike but with time I have learned that it offers charms of its own.


View of Old Rag Summit from first Old Rag False Summit

Saturday, April 25, 2009 Summer in April

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The temperatures reached into the 90's. I had given blood early in the morning and between that and the hot temperatures I had to stay in super extreme low gear during this circuit.

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The parking lot filled for the second Saturday in a row.

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Many hikers were dealing with the discomfort of the heat but I did not witness any severe problems. Most groups were not carrying enough water given that temperatures on Old Rag were in the low 90's.

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ADVICE WATER

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During hot humid months each hiker should plan on needing to carry two to four quarts of water on an Old Rag day hike. Watch your "ins and outs". Drink enough so that urine frequency, clarity, and volume are normal. You are not drinking enough water if your urine is dark, small in quantity, or non-existent in the course of a day's hiking. In addition, eating adequate amounts of food will help you replace the electrolytes (salts) that you are sweating.

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During the summer months, your fluid/electrolyte loss can exceed two quarts per hour if you hike uphill in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day. Do not wait until you start feeling thirsty to start replacing lost fluid. By the time you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated! Your body can absorb only about one quart of fluid per hour. Drink one-half to one full quart of water or sports drink each and every hour you are hiking in the heat. Carry your water where it is easy to get to and drink small amounts often.

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Any open water in the park should be filtered or sterilized.

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Starting next week I will be patrolling with the Old Rag Mountain Stewards (ORMS). It will be lots of fun to be working with all my ORMS buddies again. That said, I cherish my times spent as a PATC(Potomac Appalachian Trail Club) Trail Patroller on Old Rag. Passing through this time boundary between when I am on the mountain as a PATC Trail Patrol member and when I am on the mountain as a member of ORMS has caused me to reflect on that change. As a PATC Trail Patroller I answer only to myself and set my own agenda while with ORMS I adopt the agenda of the team. With PATC I experience all the joys and downsides of being a solitary patroller while with ORMS I experience all the joys and downsides of being on a great team. Like chocolate ice cream and hot chocolate both are terrific just very different.

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Reflecting about all of the different weekend circuits I am conscious of the fact that each and every one was unique and special in its own way. The commonalities of the repeated circuits offer a backdrop aganist which the uniqueness of the mountain's constant changes are highlighted.