Forney Creek Loop - tips for hiking in hot weather

As much as we hope to get a cooler weather up there it's still probably going to be quite hot this weekend. Tatyana asked me if there will be a lot of open spots and if she will need a sun hat. I assume that as usual the AT and nearby trails are mostly green corridors with no need for a hat (I once spent 70 bucks for fancy hat - similar to what Chris seems to have, and almost never use it).

What I do in hot weather is wearing a wet bandanna and a wet t-shirt (something that I have learned from my fellow bicyclists in Hotlanta). For ladies the latter might work a bit differently, but I assume if they bring a bikini or sports bra that should eliminate the unwanted (?) side effects :)

And the most common advice is to drink a lot of liquid, of course!

In my experience the AT is largely covered but it's exposed in plenty of areas. In fact, in summer most places are pretty covered by canopy. I try to avoid summer hiking, as I dislike heat and prefer winter views, but I've done it enough to know. I usually strip down to my under armour sports bra (which I have actually misplaced, making me very sad) which is plenty covering (more than a swim suite...) and it makes for a much more enjoyable experience in my humble opinion. Then there's the $5 trucker hat, which lets your brain breathe and covers your face, and dries quickly overnight. No need to spend tons of money to be comfortable :P

Also I advise picking up a $.99 small tube of sun block. You'll get really bizarre tan lines from your pack if you don't!

Edited because I forgot the most important thing--drink tons of water. You'll be amazed at how much you lose through sweat. Lots of trails will have their water sources dry up in the summer (the AT in the south is very bad about this) so you'll end up packing in a lot of water. 1L weighs about 2.2 pounds so plan accordingly. The last time I went climbing, I packed in 5 liters of water and almost ran out in just 1/1/2 days!

I always ask rangers/hikers/locals if the water sources are reliable. There's also websites like this that can be helpful in planning your trip https://01ef580.netso...

This is an interesting topic...I have never been a big summer hiker, so always looking for ways to "beat the heat". The wet bandana and t-shirt ideas are good ones. My wicking T-shirt dries pretty quickly but I guess you just keep adding water to it? Maybe it is good to wear cotton in the summer if it stays wet longer on those hot days?

I do have a wide-brimmed hat and find that it does keep the sun off my face and ears, but it does prevent me from looking up at the trees and clouds as much, so that's a drawback. It is hot to wear, but I like it if I am going to be in the exposed sun for an extended period of time. But if I am on a wooded trail with a lot of tree cover, I sometimes don't wear it. Although this time of year, it does help prevent ticks falling on your head as well (if doing anything resembling bushwhacking).

And yes drink a lot of liquid, before, during, and after the hike. I usually try to start hydrating the night before and drink a LOT of water on the way to the trailhead. Usually if I need a quick bathroom break before getting started, that is a good sign. It does help a great deal if you are super hydrated when out there in the heat. Ladies should not be shy about having to stop and run off for a bathroom break....everyone understands and you will be happier if you drink more. -Tony

Much has already been said but I like to keep my head in the shade, don't overdo it (rest often), and drink tons of water.

I don't mind hiking in the summer, but I always go where there's plenty of water - along streams or at lakes - so I can cool off.

You don't need to carry tons of water or drink it while walking necessarily. It's a lot lighter to tank up at water sources. I haven't carried more than 1 L the last couple of years (except once for a dry camp and then only for 1/2 mile or so) and it's usually only 1/2 L. I usually only wear the Tilley when I expect rain since I don't wear a rain jacket during summer. It just keeps the major downpours out of my face. It's good for stopping spider webs too.

I don't really have any special tricks. I acclimate quickly to the heat or cold and sweating doesn't bother me during warmer seasons. I've become a big merino wool fan because once it gets wet it'll still keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. I only wear synethetic shirts when I expect rain because they dry faster than wool.

Just so it's known, you should actually be drinking more water in winter than in summer.

Chris, are you saying it's a good idea to wear a wet merino wool shirt when it's hot like this?

Well, it works well for me. I mostly prefer wool because it's naturally odor resistant but the integrated climate control is also a nice benefit.

I agree that a Tilley hat is great in the rain. My approach in the summer is to keep the sweat out of my eyes so wear a hat specially designed for workman.

Duluth Trading Co. (Out of Minnesota) stocks a baseball type cap which vents great and also has an extra absorbent hat band to soak up the sweat.

I agree that with all the green tunnels we really don't neat a hat expect to keep bugs at bay, webs, and rain off our heads.

Wild Bill

When it's hot I bitch and complain a lot but that really doesn't help cool that much. Lots of fluids! Replace electrolytes too! The sweat rolling down your body will help to cool you. And yes, Tony, although "cotton kills" it is actually the preferred fabric for the desert - well, seems like I've read that somewhere.

FYI...your Forney Loop is quite shaded once off the ridge and plenty of water at the bottom.

Cotton is never preferred over wool or synthetics. It takes far too long to dry and you risk getting hypothermia when the sun goes down. Desert temps will hit 100 during the day and then drop to the 40s at night. If you're still running around in wet cotton when the temps fall, you're going to be in big trouble.