Hiking in drought conditions

By Young Hee Kim

Spring has arrived, and CMC members are gearing up for hiking, camping and other outings in the Rocky Mountain region. Some hikers wonder whether it might be more logical to replace the rain gear in our backpacks with an extra container of water to sprinkle along our favorite trails. This is because last year we witnessed the effects the worst drought on Colorado record had on our mountain environment, and this year, we are told, it is likely that drought conditions will continue.

Although dry conditions exist, and with them an increase in fire danger, there are ways to enjoy the outdoors safely by taking precautions and planning ahead.

In hot and dry conditions, the primary concern is to keep yourself hydrated. Because the body loses a quart of water every hour when performing physical activities, it is important to pack along more than your usual amount of water. Drink at least a gallon of water during long hikes in extremely hot weather.

Hydrate your body before you hit the trail. Once you begin hiking, you should drink a little every fifteen to twenty minutes. This is better than chugging a quart of water. As you reach higher elevations, you breathe more rapidly and deeply to take in more oxygen. This, combined with breathing drier and colder air, increases fluid loss.

With little rain and low runoffs, there is less water in the streams and rivers. For this reason, Leslie McFaddan, information assistant with the Arapahoe National Forest Services, recommends you to bring more than enough water to last the hike.

“The traditional water sources in the forests may no longer be available in streams and rivers,” says McFaddan. “It is important for you to bring your own supply of water to last throughout your hike in case you can’t refill from the streams.”

Drought conditions also include extremely high temperatures. The external heat combined with physical activity can overheat the human body and cause heat illnesses.

The most common forms of heat illnesses are heat fatigue, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and hyponatremia.

Heat fatigue is characterized by muscle cramps, strong thirst, and sudden, extreme fatigue. Once this worsens, it becomes heat exhaustion. Symptoms include excessive sweating, dizziness, headache, nausea, and rapid heart rate. Heat stroke is the most severe type of heat related illness. Heat stroke involves a complete failure of the body’s heat control system. Heat stroke symptoms include severe confusion; the condition can be fatal.

To prevent this type of heat illness, wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light colored clothing. Drink water often and drink the coldest water available. The stomach assimilates cold water more easily, and the body cools off faster. It is a good idea to freeze a bottle of water the night before and take it with you on the hike. Start hiking before sunrise and during early evening when temperatures are cooler. Take a break in a shady spot around midday

However, drinking large amounts of plain water is not enough to prevent hyponatremia. Hyponatremia develops when there is a low concentration of sodium in the blood. The signs and symptoms of hyponatremia include bloating, upset stomach,nausea, headaches, cramps, disorientation, slurred speech, and confusion.

Although the average person who exercises less than four hours does not need to replace sodium, if you participate in all day hikes, cycling, or other athletic activities in extreme heat, you are in danger of losing too much sodium. According to Nancy Clark in her Sports Nutrition Guidebook, you can prevent this by eating salty foods during training and the event itself. Also you should consume a sports drink that contains enough sodium to provide 250­500 mg of sodium per hour. Practice drinking the amount of fluid needed so you can adjust to large volumes of fluid in the stomach.

If you or someone in your hiking party develops heat illness while hiking, stop all activity immediately. Rest in a cool, shady place. Drink water frequently. If the situation becomes more serious, have the affected person lie down with feet elevated. This will help keep blood flowing to the brain. Place anything cold in places where major arteries are located: armpits, groin, and neck. Add a wet bandana on the forehead and fan the person. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

In dry conditions, fire bans will likely be in place. Before you begin your trip, know the fire ban restrictions in the area you will be hiking. Contact the local fire department and forest or park service to find out what the restrictions are.

Depending on the fire restrictions in the area, McFaddan suggests looking into solar powered stoves and other alternative cooking sources if you are planning to backpack.

Drought conditions also increase dust in the air. Even if there is no wind, dust on the trails is kicked up and into our faces and into the faces behind us, so you might want to widen the gap between hikers in your group. Those who wear contact lenses should add lens solution to their first-aid kit. It’s also a good idea to bring along a pair of glasses to wear in case you need to take out your contact lenses.

Avoid breathing in dust by bringing along bandanas or other masks to wear on a hike in case of smoke or poor air quality. Light and disposable dust masks can be purchased cheaply at your local hardware store.

Dry weather also creates ripe conditions for wildfires. Watch out for the days that are windy with temperatures above 75 degrees. This combination will greatly increases chances for spot fires.

Be familiar with the area you are hiking in. Before you get on the trail study an area topo map and pre-plan an escape route.

Hike only on marked trails. According to the Hayman Fire Recovery Program newsletter, much of the vegetation needs to be restored, and walking on unmarked trails can kill recovering plants. Staying on designated trails will also keep you informed of where you are and where you need to go in case of an emergency.

 Rely on your senses. Dave Mosier, wildfire program coordinator for the Larimer County Sheriff’s Department, suggest that you stay alert. “Typically, when a wildfire starts you can see or smell smoke. If you do, evacuate the area immediately and report it as soon as possible.”

Do not try to outrun the fire. As fire travels more quickly uphill than down, Mosier advises to get behind the fire rather than running in the direction the fire is spreading. If an escape route is blocked, go to the nearest lake or stream.

Although it may sound silly to take a cell phone into the outdoors, it’s a good idea for someone in the hiking party to carry one. If you cannot get to an escape route when a wildfire breaks out, use the cell phone to contact a Ranger. Make sure the cell phone is fully charged and on “roaming” before you begin your hike.

The Larimer County Wildfire Safety Program suggests that if you get caught in a backcountry fire, seek a depression with sparse fuel. Clear any fuel from the area while the fire is approaching and then lie face down in the depression.

Remember that best thing to do on your next hike is to plan ahead. Before heading to the outdoors, contact the forest services and local fire stations to find out what the latest restrictions and warnings are. And keep that rain gear in your backpack just in case all our rain dreams come true.

For more tips on enjoying the outdoors in drought conditions and to learn more about protecting yourself from wildfires, visit: http://parks.state.co.us, or http://www.ext.colostate.edu/drought/rellinks.html.

Young Hee Kim is the Public Information Technical Writer with the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District in Loveland.