Training in Heat
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
RV Camping ... lots of dirt, not much fun.
RV Resort’ing ... no dirt, that is my style.
Here I am, in major heat, that is Indio Ca, near Palm Spring. As you see from the above photos, not many people RV when/where it is very, very hot. How hot? Yesterday and today 96 F (36 C). So what am I doing here when can just go RV’ing somewhere cooler like the beach. Well, am compelled to do some training in the heat in preparation for the Grand Canyon Hike next month. Training means hiking/walking 6 to 12 miles, in the heat, and some cycling. Last sunday, did a 6.7 mile hike, temp 92 F (33 C), took 0.5 gallons of water. It was not enough, and it took me 3 hrs of hiking. It stressed my body pretty good, high end of heat exhaustion. Had to rest for 40 min before I felt comfortable riding the scooter home.
On one of my training hikes I encountered a very large vineyard, but all the vines appear dead. Never seen that before.
So, decided to use the internet to get some understanding on the issues associated with physical exertion in heat. Two conditions can arise, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke:
Heat exhaustion: This condition often occurs when people exercise (work or play) in a hot, humid place and body fluids are lost through sweating, causing the body to overheat. The person's temperature may be elevated, but not above 104°F.
Heat stroke: This medical condition is life-threatening. The person's cooling system, which is controlled by the brain, stops working and the internal body temperature rises to the point where brain damage or damage to other internal organs may result (temperature may reach 105+°F).
As heat exhaustion set’s in, walking speed goes way done, therefore, it takes longer making the problem worst. Yesterday did a walk, 6.75 miles, 96 F (36 C), it took 2 hrs, that is pretty good. Why so much better? lots of water, drank 3/4 of gallon of water per hr. That seems to be the formula for me, in heat drink 1 pint of fluids every 20 min. So in the Grand Canyon don’t hike if the temp goes over about 95 F. If heat exhaustion starts find shade drink fluids, then hangout till temperatures drop to around 85 F (29 C), which should occur there after 4 to 5 pm or later in the evening.
In the Grand Canyon in Jun, hiking down, the temp can reach 95 F by 10 to 11 am, and by early afternoon the temp can be 110 F (43 C). Rangers want you to finnish your hike by 10 am. Or emergency issues can occur. On our first day, we hike down into the Grand Canyon, a 15 mile hike. That is why am training to get my body acclimate to heat. Drinking appropriate amounts of fluids even without exertion is a must.