HIKING UTAH DESERTS

HIKING UTAH DESERTS

Utah is the second driest state. Hiking and mountain biking in deserts may be Hazardous if you do not prepare. But red rock country can be a peaceful, beautiful place to explore if you take time to plan.

HYDRATION: It is important to hydrate yourself with water, before entering the desert. Hydrate yourself the day before. And avoid drinking, coffee, tea, caffeinated soft drinks, that may cause dehydration.

HATS: Make sure you wear a hat when you are hiking and a helmet, while mountain biking. It is important to protect yourself from UV, putting on sunblock, wearing sunglasses, and wearing light colored clothing.

HEAT EXHAUSTION: Intense sweating, losing one or two quarts of water per hour, cause dehydration and heat exhaustion. Symptoms are pale face, moist skin, headaches, cramps, nausea, and vomiting. Treatment is to drink water, sports drinks with electrolytes, energy snacks, rest in shade and wetting the body with water.

HEAT STROKE: Life threatening, when your body loses the ability to cool down itself. Symptoms are dry skin, flushed face, rapid pulse, weakness, high temperature, confusion, poor judgment, unconsciousness, and seizures. Treatment is to cool down the victim immediately! Pour water on head and immerse in cold water if possible. Find shade, and remove excess clothing. And if the victim needs to go to the hospital, send somebody for help.

HYPONATREMIA: Water intoxication has similar symptoms of Heat Exhaustion. It is the result of losing a lot of salt by sweating and drinking too much water. Symptoms are nausea, frequent urination, vomiting, and mental confusion. Seizures may occur. Treatment is to have the person eat salty foods, and slowly drink sports drinks.

HYPOTHERMIA: Even during the Summer months, the weather can change at a moments notice. Make sure you have a good jacket for wind and rain. Hypothermia is life threatening when your body cannot warm itself, due to exhaustion and exposure to wet, cold and windy weather. Symptoms are shivering, poor muscle control, grumbling, and mumbling. Treatment is warm up victim with space blanket, remove wet clothing, put on dry clothing, and find shelter from the elements.

CONCLUSION: Make sure you take extra water, energy snacks, and have salty foods when exploring the deserts. And have water and food stashed in your vehicle when you get back to your vehicle. Check the weather forecast before hiking. Even on the same trail, you drink a lot more water when it is 90 degrees, than when its 70 degrees. During hot Summer days, plan to explore during the early morning and evening hours.