[at-l] Re: at-l Digest, Vol 3,Issue 51 Hiking in Florida Where it can get Hot!

[jbullar1 at twcny.rr.com (Jim Bullard)]

  From: Bror8588@aol.com 


  In a message dated 7/27/03 1:01:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time, at-l-request@mailman.backcountry.net writes: 


    LOL! You just need to turn off the A/C and get used to it. BTW the heat 
    index already includes the humidity. It takes me about a week or two in 
    early summer to shift to summer mode. After that we hike in the mornings and 
    late afternoons just like they do in desert country. On the other hand you 
    are finding out why prime hiking season in Florida runs from October to 
    June. While the northerners are shivering in their cabins we can hike all we 
    want. 


  This northerner hiked in Miami on Wednesday (16 Jul '03) and though the weather was hot it was not unbearable.  Granted there were no trees for shade and the Sun was blaring.  As for acclimation I left the Cruise ship (NCL's DAWN) and taxied to South Beach (the Art Deco section) and went hiking on the beach and then up to Collins and viewed various hotels in many stages of repair/disrepair/construction.  As the temp rose and there was need for hydration I found Ocean's 10 and sipped a cool drink, ate a small bite, and then trooped on.  What is all the fuss about "Hot Miami" weather?  Granted I did not set any speed records and I was only carrying a 5# pack (filled with a CD and Books) but at a certain pace the heat is a pleasure to walk in. My companion on the other hand had a more difficult time.  Is it a gender issue?  Now everyone should also know that I am about 100 Pounds overweight (I am working on this for AT 2004) so perhaps it could be said that I was "packing" 105#.   

  OK, off the couch everybody and get out and walk.  Oh, the sand is hard on Miami Beach so the walk to the waters edge was a snap compared to Jones Beach on Long Island.  There were a lot of other backpackers hanging around 8th Street but some people called them Homeless.  Even so it is good to see the hiking community in Miami Beach out and about.  What is it though with the big guy who is salt encrusted and hiking in circles?  Parasol anyone? 

  Skylander Jack    PS It was good getting back on the Ship and sailing off to Nassau. 

  **** Kelly sure is taking hits over her problem with heat tolerance. At one point I suggested to her that she talk to her Dr. since my wife suffers similarly due to a heart/circulatory problem. I still think it would be good for Kelly to explore that, not solely so that she can go charging out into 110? weather, but rather to be aware of any potential physical problem before it becomes critical. Aside from that, there are some folks who have a bigger problem with heat (or cold) than others. It isn't a character flaw. It just is. I know people who love to winter camp. I can't deal with the cold.

  If Kelly has a problem with heat and learns that it's not a symptom of a physical problem, and knowing that she *will* encounter hot humid days on a thru, perhaps it would be more helpful (that's part of what AT-L is here for, remember?) to tell her how you cope with heat/humidity. Maybe she could learn a trick or two instead of feeling like the target of the tabloid press.

  For my part when it's hot I always wear a bandana or cotton hat. Since we lose most of our body heat in cold weather through our heads, that sounds counter-intuitive but a hat with a brim, even a baseball cap, is cooler than no hat especially for those of us who are hair-challenged. To increase cooling even further I dip the bandana/hat in every stream, pond or puddle I encounter to get the advantage of evaporative cooling. 

  Obviously carry an adequate supply of water. I recently made a bottle wrap from a layer of Reflectix and a layer of 1/8" closed cell foam. It does a bang-up job of keeping water cool for several hours even without any ice in it at the start.

  If the radiant heat of the sun is the problem and a hat isn't enough, get a large golf umbrella and walk in its shade to get in walking shape. 

  On the future thru-hike she could take a tip from the Mexicans and take a siesta at mid-day. Do her hiking early morning and in the evening. Those are my suggestions. Any others?

  Saunterer (who saunters more slowly in the heat)
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