Summertime is always the best time for camping and backpacking. The sunny day with little to no chance of rain signals that you need to gather your camping checklist and get yourself ready. The outdoors will always be a pleasant playground during this period, as there are a lot of things that you can do–from swimming to fresh lakes and rivers down to an all-out outdoor cookout.
Surely enough, these activities sound cool and elevating. But don’t rush yet. You have to guarantee first that you can deal with one of the biggest threats of summer camping and backpacking: the heat of the sun.
Follow the tips we mentioned here so that you can stay cool while you are in the middle of your outdoor adventure.
Dangers Of Overheating / Heat Exhaustion
You should never ignore your body temperature while doing outdoor activities. During summer or any hot days, you need to be wary about heat exhaustion. The latter is a condition that usually occurs in situations where the external temperature is high.
It is often characterized by varying symptoms, ranging from rapid heart rate to heavy seating. Interestingly, it belongs to the three known heat-related complications.
The first one is heat cramps, which are considered the mildest. The other one is heatstroke, which is the most dangerous and severe, as it is life-threatening.
Heat exhaustion has a plethora of causes, which may include the following:
- High external temperatures
- High humidity
- Rigid physical activities
If you cannot address heat exhaustion, there’s always a risk that it will lead to heatstroke. If the latter is untreated, it can cause a person to die. Fortunately, heat exhaustion is something that you can prevent entirely. What you need to do here is to be prompt in your measures to keep your body temperature cool and regulated.
At the same time, it is essential that you are watchful for the symptoms of heat exhaustion, which are listed below.
Symptoms Of Heat Exhaustion
One of the notable aspects of heat exhaustion is that it can either happen immediately or develop gradually. It’s quite difficult to predict when it will happen, but it is always in the realm of possibilities, especially if you are camping or doing outdoor activities. The more you utilize your body under the heat of the sun, the more you are at risk of developing heat exhaustion.
Fortunately, there are tell-tale signs that signal that a person is experiencing heat exhaustion. Here are some of them:
- Skin is highly moist
- Dizziness and faintness
- Fatigue
- Weak but rapid heart rate
- Heavy sweating
- Headache
- Nausea
- Muscle cramps
When these symptoms are present, it is essential that you will be able to provide the necessary relief to ensure that the situation will not worsen. Of course, it is also essential that you implement preventive measures to prevent its occurrence in the first place.
When Should You See A Doctor?
If you think that you are experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion, you need to do the following:
- Halt all your activities and take a rest
- Move to somewhere that is cool and breezy
- Hydrate yourself with water and sports drinks
Once you deem that the symptoms are worsening, you need to get medical treatment right away. You should do this if the symptoms aren’t improving after an hour. Seek the help of a doctor if your companion is showing signs of heat exhaustion and is not able to drink water. You should do the same if they are losing consciousness or being delirious.
Immediate cooling is necessary if the body temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) or higher.
Is It Safe To Camp During Summer?
Generally, summer camping or backpacking is pretty much harmless. These outdoor activities are recommended to be done during sunny conditions, as it is the most conducive for doing various outdoor activities.
But of course, necessary precautions should be taken into account so that you will not end up on the bad side of things. For instance, you need to learn about the heat index of the area where you are heading. If the report says that it is too hot, then you might consider postponing your activities.
If you decide to head out, make sure that you know the necessary methods to cool yourself off. In this way, you can continue your activities without having to risk yourself with heat exhaustion and its aggravating symptoms.
Tips On How To Stay Cool In Summer Backpacking And Camping
Your body has its own internal temperature. But this is not just your body heat. The heat in your surroundings also contributes to the core temperature of your body. Your body has to regulate its own temperature in correspondence to external factors so that it can retain the ideal temperature of 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 Fahrenheit).
Heat exhaustion happens typically in hot weather conditions. However, our body can counteract it through sweating. Once the sweat evaporates, your body starts to cool off. This effect reduces when you exert too much effort in hot weather.
Fortunately, there are several ways you can remain cool during a summer camping or backpacking trip.
Disassemble Your Tent
Your tent works as a greenhouse when the weather is too hot. It effectively absorbs the rays from the sun, making it storage for heat. When you enter a tent during hot weather, it feels like you are entering a sauna.
Furthermore, it is important to remember that no tent fabric works well when exposed to direct heat. It doesn’t matter if your tent is made from polyester and nylon; they would eventually trap heat inside.
Hence, it is essential that you disassemble your tent while it is hot. Aside from preventing heat exhaustion, it also extends the lifespan of your tent. You should pitch back your tent once the temperature starts to subside.
Pitch The Tent Under A Shade
As much as possible, you should assemble your tent in a shaded area. Let the natural world around you help you absorb the heat of the sun. For instance, rocky formations and trees are an effective defense against sunlight.
Of course, it is essential that you know where the sun will pass during the day. In this way, you will be able to maximize the shade. Look for towering shades, as they can give you optimal protection once the sun is overhead. If there are trees around you, then you shouldn’t have any problem.
Utilize A Reflective Sunshade
One of the best things that you can do to cool yourself during a camping or backpacking activity is using a reflective sunshade. These sunshades will reflect the heat of the sun, allowing your tent to be cooler even if it is exposed to sunlight.
If you have the opportunity to bring one, then do so. It will help you stay inside your tent even during the day. Hence, it removes the need to disassemble your tent.
A sunshade is the most effective when you erect it directly over your tent. There should also be a gap between the tent and the sunshade so that you won’t hinder the ventilation in your tent. It contributes to the natural cooling of your tent.
Remove Your Tent’s Rainfly
A rainfly functions by protecting your tent from water. It can also prevent the internal heat of the tent from escaping, which is beneficial during rainy or cold weather conditions.
However, this effect is counterintuitive during summer. In hot seasons, you don’t want the heat to be trapped inside the tent. Hence, you should consider ditching it in your tent on the trip. Of course, if you expect a sudden change in the atmospheric condition, then bringing one shouldn’t be a bad idea.
Get The Appropriate Tent
Not all tents have the same quality and construction. Some are designed to handle the hot weather better than their counterparts.
One of the best options that you have here is mesh tents. The mesh provides additional protection against insects while ensuring that the air is able to pass through the tent. It optimizes the internal cooling of your tent while ensuring that you won’t get bitten by bugs.
Summer backpacking and camping would benefit from these tents. They ensure that you experience sufficient ventilation during hot weather.
Wet A Towel And Put It In Your Neck Or Forehead
If the outside world is downright hot, you might want to have a wet towel on the back of your neck. In this way, your body can regulate heat better. If the night is also hot, then you should also do the same, but this time, put the damp towel on your forehead.
Water has a high specific heat capacity. Because of this, it can efficiently absorb your excess body heat. It is the reason why damp towels are placed on the forehead of those individuals who are experiencing severe fever.
If you are planning to go on a hike, have a bandana soaked with cold water and tie it in your neck. The same cooling effect if you wet your hands.
Remain Hydrated
When it comes to summer backpacking and camping, hydration is a crucial aspect that you shouldn’t ignore. It is the one that could keep you cool throughout your adventure. As we have mentioned earlier, water features a high specific heat. This means that it can absorb lots of heat. This is the reason why water works well as an alternative coolant for car radiators.
Keep in mind that approximately 60 percent of your body is water. So keeping yourself hydrated all the time will protect you against overheating.
Meanwhile, dehydration is a risky condition. The hot weather can amplify and hasten its effects. Hence, if you are camping or backpacking, make sure that you drink roughly 65 ounces of water or higher per day. Once you are feeling thirsty, you need to drink water right away.
In fact, it is recommended that you drink at least glasses of water before you leave your home. In this way, your body has enough fuel to reach your destination without getting dehydrated.
Ensure That Food Remain Cool
You can enjoy pre-made food if they are cold. Hence, it is essential that you bring coolers with you, ensuring that your snacks and treats remain cool and fresh.
Of course, the heat can also cause your perishable food to be spoiled quickly. Proper food storage is always an essential factor in ensuring that your camping and backpacking trip remains safe and enjoyable.
Don’t use your coolers as your fan. If you keep on opening them to cool yourself, they would also lose the coldness they are storing, prompting faster food spoilage.
Choose Your Clothing Wisely
If you are expecting hot weather during your trip, make sure that your clothes are loose and light. In this way, they can provide sufficient ventilation around your body. Choose synthetic clothing, especially those that have moisture-wicking properties, so that your sweat evaporates efficiently.
Never wear cotton clothes because they don’t do well in hot conditions. They retain heat, and they don’t wick off moisture. In short, they can make your adventure a little too hot and uncomfortable.
Also, don’t forget that light colors are better than dark-colored clothes when it comes to summer outdoor adventures. The radiation from the sun sticks well to dark colors. As a result, they would store heat significantly. The brighter your color of clothing is, the more efficient it is in reflecting heat.
Apply Skin Protection
When it comes to summer camping, there’s nothing more detestable than experiencing the effects of the heat of the sun on your skin. But of course, it is not just about the darkening of the skin; it is also about the invisible effects of the ultraviolet rays on your skin.
The UV rays don’t make things extra hot. It also has underlying effects, some of which are pretty much severe. These UV rays may cause premature aging of your skin. Prolonged exposure can amplify your risk of developing skin cancer.
It is important to apply effective sunscreen to protect yourself against UV ray damage. At the same time, wearing sun protection amenities, such as sunglasses and a hat can reduce the heat you are experiencing.