3. Hot, Damn Hot…
I’m not sure what the temps are during the day, mid 90s to lower 100s I’d guess. The trails (“tracks” as they are known as hereabouts) I walk (“tramp”) seem to fall into two categories, those with other trampers and those without. The shorter walks, under a couple kms, seem to have a fair number of visitors. Those tracks whose length exceed 3 or 4 kms are more times than not only graced by my presence for at least the start and often times by the finish.
Either way its prudent to go prepared. My effort to this end:
A. iPod—good for taking a snap of the trail map when a paper copy isn’t available; also, has a compass app.
B. My road navigation GPS—I can save the lat/lon of the trailhead as a waypoint. If needs be I can then use the GPS to find my way back.
C. Map—When available.
D. PLB—Personal Locator Beacon, press the button and wait for the helicopters.
E. Don’t leave home without…
Hat, wide brimmed; Sunglasses; Long sleeved shirt; Water, water, water, and, more, water; A couple thousand calories. Crackers don’t melt. Flavored sugar candies that don’t melt. (Since the brain metabolizes only glucose having a ready supply of it in the form sugar candy is a good idea. [And, yes, under extreme starvation conditions the brain will switch to ketones, but people seldom die in the desert from starvation.] A fed, hydrated, and cool brain is a happy brain.); Sun block. Comes off with sweat, but still worth a try.
Today’s weather….102F for the high…
