Phoenix's heat and the stupidity that goes with it

[wase4711]

Originally Posted by Adamson520

Did you do it when it was 115 in the shade?

never let facts get in the way of a good story!

[Bates419]

Funny and very unusual stat for this time of year, it's hotter in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan today than it is in Phoenix. Should I stay inside??

[wase4711]

yes, stay inside..

[grad_student200]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Heat sparks multiple mountain rescues around Phoenix area - Arizona's Family

More idiots hiking in the heat, becoming injured, dehydrated, or disoriented, and having to be rescued. Wasting tax money and wasting paramedics' time to save a bunch of bozos who caused their own problems, when the paramedics can & should be attending to REAL emergencies. My question is: why hike in the heat? In fact, what's the big thrill of hiking in the Phoenix area "mountains" when there are so many cooler, prettier, and less crowded hiking spots in northern & eastern AZ?!

Several years ago, I and many others called for a Stupid Hiker Law to be passed ... however, anymore I'm not so sure this would be very effective. What should be done instead is to simply put signs on the entrances to the hiking trails stating: SOCIAL DARWINISM BEGINS HERE, HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK. There should be absolutely no rescues. If somebody is too inexperienced and ignorant to understand the risks, especially in these extreme temperatures, then too bad. Let the coyotes have them as a snack!

As noted earlier, I am very familiar with hiking in Phoenix. A couple of days ago, I knew the monsoon weather would make difference. I hike up Piestewa Peak at sunset figuring it would "cool off" on the way down. Going up it was about 100 F but the monsoon clouds covered the area by the time I reached the summit. About halfway down it started raining - slowly at first. Then it just downpoured. By the time I got back to my truck it was about 75 F - lol. Timing and planning make a difference.

[unwillingphoenician]

I go hiking in all weather. I guess I'll be called stupid. I'm middle-aged, in good enough shape to hike the mountains more or less every day, along with 60 pushups a day, etc. I try to hike the mountains around dusk. Sometimes I go at midday, depending on my schedule. I was born in Florida and like heat. I do notice that humidity makes a difference. 110 and dry is easy. 100 with monsoon moisture is tougher. I always carry extra water, a cell-phone, etc. and stay on trails.

One thing I've noticed is that sometimes people hike the mountains who do not seem prepared for it. For example, sometimes I see people with quite a bit of excess weight (50-100 lbs. or more) hiking up mountains in summer by day. I used to wonder why they don't at least wait until dusk, but then I realized maybe they want to hike when fewer people will see them on the mountain, not more. I applaud the effort, but wonder about the judgment.

On the mountain I hike in the north valley are ruins with petroglyphs. Did those people stay here in summer? Anybody know? Because if they did, modern heat island or not, they were outside all day in the heat without air conditioning. A great deal of what we can put up with is based on acclimatization. They say Eskimoes stand back from campfires, sweating, while people who aren't used to the cold huddle up next to the same fires and shiver. In part this a measurable, biochemical response of the body to long-term conditions. So here in Phoenix, to somebody who rarely ventures outside of their 72 degree living room, it might seem nuts to EVER be outside in 100 degrees or more. But other people do it every day, and not just hikers. Cowboys, construction workers, etc. are all outside for many hours in full summer heat.

[wase4711]

you're the exception, not the rule...if you are used to being outside 12 hours a day, and it good shape, and are smart enough to know how much water you need on a hike, then, go for it

unfortunately, many people do NOT fit into that group, and they are only asking for trouble when they go out hiking in 100+ degree temps

[unwillingphoenician]

Originally Posted by wase4711

you're the exception, not the rule...if you are used to being outside 12 hours a day, and it good shape, and are smart enough to know how much water you need on a hike, then, go for it

unfortunately, many people do NOT fit into that group, and they are only asking for trouble when they go out hiking in 100+ degree temps

The advice to be careful is sound. I don't want to encourage people to do dumb things. I'll get mine someday. I try not to overdo it.

I knew a guy who guided hikes in the Grand Canyon many moons ago. He said some people didn't even know enough to stand in the shade when they got hot. With the stories you hear of kids not knowing where eggs come from and so on, I can believe it. If you give advice to the public in general, you have to consider everybody. Probably best for most folks to stay in by day.