Many places in the country have had their heat waves break. But here in the West, it’s a different story; we’re gripped by hot weather, and it’s not letting go.
For many, summers are a time to take once-in-a-lifetime trips to get outdoors and hike beautiful trails. But, the National Park Service (NPS) wants to stress the importance of safety as temperatures soar into the triple digits.
“One of the most important messages for visitors is it’s okay to change your plan, and it’s really important to do,” said Sara Newman, director of the NPS Office of Public Health. “Turning around and making good decisions on the spot are life-saving decisions.”
The heat is the result of a heat dome, a strong area of high pressure moving in from the Pacific. Heat domes cause air to dry out, kill cloud cover and increase temperatures. This increases the risk of wildfires and makes being outdoors more dangerous.
San Diego, generally thought of as being cool, can get hot on the trails. Even here, hiking in the heat can turn deadly. In June, a 50-year-old woman, Diem Le Nguyen, was participating in a fundraiser hike. While 100 people were on the hike up the Night Hawk Trail, the others turned back halfway up the mountain. Ms. Nguyen wanted to reach the peak. Just over two hours later, she called for help, saying she was too hot and needed water. Her body was found the next day.
Experience is no guarantee that you’ll be okay. Heat can best anyone, and even the most seasoned hikers can need rescuing from hotter-than-usual paths.
“Hiking in the summer months is dangerous, especially when it’s super hot out,” said San Diego police officer Dan Meyer. “Even if you take all the precautions available to you, there’s still a chance that you may be in a situation that you don’t want to be in.”
Before hiking in any weather, you should know your ability. Going to Yosemite is only fun and safe if you are capable of tackling the trails. Training near to home is essential. You have to acclimatize to heat with short hikes in warmer and warmer weather. Plus, knowing how much you sweat so you know how much you need to drink is crucial to staying safe.
A trip of a lifetime is only worth it if you come home alive. When it’s hot out, stay home. Or change your plan and head to a cooler spot to enjoy yourself safely. Yosemite isn’t going anywhere.
