Nothing can take the fun out of a hiking trip or vacation faster than having something bad happen. The Boy Scouts of America have a great motto: Be Prepared. As a Boy Scout scoutmaster, one of the things I always remind my scouts to do is to be prepared wherever they are, whatever they’re doing, and whoever they are with. Many times there’s not advance warning before some bad and potentially deadly could occur. With that being said, I could not permit myself to have a hiking website without having a section devoted to hiking hazards. I want every hiker to understand and be prepared for anything the Southwest conditions have to offer. Am I trying to scare off the faint of heart? Absolutely not. I want each person to safely enjoy these wonderful places with the knowledge and skill to handle any situations that could arise during a trip, not only in the Southwest, but anywhere and everywhere.
Acute Mountain Sickness
Acute mountain sickness or AMS, also known altitude sickness, can be a very serious hazard for hikers, especially for those visiting the mountains from states with lower elevations. AMS occurs as we quickly gain elevation over a short period of time. As we increase our elevation, oxygen levels in the air decrease. It affects everyone differently, regardless of age, gender, or fitness level. It’s always a good idea to give the body 24 hours to acclimatize to higher elevation, especially if the elevation increase is upwards of 5000 feet higher than one’s typical elevation, and if someone from a lower sea level gains the altitude quickly, by arriving in a plane or car.
Symptoms of AMS include:
– headache
– shortness of breath
– nausea
– dizziness
– fatigue
More serious symptoms include vomiting, lack of coordination, and confusion.
When hiking, be attentive of how you feel, and how others in the group are feeling, especially if you’re with beginners. I have found that one of the most effective ways of preventing AMS, is to be properly hydrated not only during the hike, but to drink plenty of water the day leading up to the hike. Every couple of minutes take a sip of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Also, choose a pace that is comfortable for the slowest hiker, to allow everyone in the group to acclimatize to the increase in elevation and the decreased levels of oxygen. Even after these precautions, you or someone in your group may show symptoms. At the first sign of AMS, stop, take a break, and drink some water. A fifteen minute break may make all the difference. Do not continue increasing elevation if the symptoms persist. Head down to lower elevation where there is more oxygen, and drink plenty of water.
A couple of years ago, I organized a hike with some friends to climb to the top a local mountain. The elevation in valley where we all lived was 4550 feet above sea level. The summit was 10, 908 feet. The people I had invited were all in good shape and were experienced hikers. One of the girls was even a nurse, so I what could go wrong?! After driving to the trailhead, our elevation was about 7100 feet. About twenty minutes into the hike, I noticed that the nurse started showing signs of the onset of AMS. I had the group stop and take a breather. When she mentioned that she was starting to get a headache, my suspicions were confirmed. Since there were six of us, I let the group of three speedy hikers continue while the other three of us stayed put for about forty minutes. I told her that there was no shame in turning around and tackling this another day because safety always comes first. After the rest and extra hydration, the headache was gone and she wanted to continue, and we did so, at a nice comfortable pace. We made it to the top without any more symptoms. The underlying cause ended up being that she had admitted that she hadn’t had enough fluids the day or two leading up to the hike, so even though she was in a good shape, AMS still affected her.
Dehydration
One of the main challenges that individuals will find while hiking not only in the Southwest, but anywhere for that matter, is avoiding dehydration. If you find that you are feeling thirsty, the beginning stages of dehydration have already started! Due to the hot, and extremely dry climate, elevation, and low humidity of the Southwest, dehydration is a real threat. Throw prolonged sun exposure into the mix, which there is plenty of out here, and you have yourself a very good chance of suffering dehydration if you’re not prepared.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
– thirst
– increased sweating
– headache
– nausea
– muscle cramps
– extreme fatigue
– dizziness
– dark urine or lack of urination
In desert regions one should be drinking at least three liters during the day. It sounds like a lot, but with how hot and dry it is, you will need to replenish your fluids. If you or someone in your group is suffering form any of the symptoms above, take the follow action. Find shade which could be under trees, shrubs, or bushes. If there is no vegetation nearby, make some shade by using a tarp, an extra shirt, or anything else to provide cover. Have the victim slowly drink small sips of water at first. At first thought it seems to make the most sense to have the victim down a whole bunch of water right away. Don’t do it! They will just throw it back up, leaving them even more dehydrated than before. Once they can hold down small sips, you may slowly increase the amount, but it should never be large gulps of water all at once. Encourage rest until the victim is fully recovered and shows no symptoms. Closely monitor their progress the rest of the hike.
Flash Floods
It’s safe to say that the most nervous I’ve ever been on a hike was when I was caught in flash flood a couple of years ago. While that is a story for another day, it taught me some lessons that I learned the hard way, but not only did I survive, but I can now share them with others.
Slickrock covers much of the Southwest. Slickrock is sandstone that has the feel of sand paper when dry, however, it can become slick when wet. With that being said, heavy rains from desert thunderstorms run right off the slickrock and rapidly drain into canyons. Flash floods can occur at any time in the Southwest, but are most prevalent between late June to mid September. They can strike quickly and without warning. Realize that entering any narrow canyon presents a flash flood danger. Between June and August I avoid all slot canyon hikes and instead spend that time up in the mountains. By entering these canyons at anytime during the year, you are being exposed to potential hazards from flash flooding. They are the leading weather-related cause of deaths in the United States each year.
During flash floods the water level increases almost instantly. What was a dry creek you walked up an hour ago could in minutes be a raging torrent of water carrying entire trees and large rocks. Buckskin Gulch for example is a long, narrow slot canyon where rains one hundred miles away drains into. When hiking in Buckskin, I could see entire trees wedged against the narrow canyon walls over 75 feet over my head where a flash flood has deposited it. That’s right, 75 feet over my head! If caught in a flash flood you may only have seconds to react. Look and listen for these things if you want to have a chance to survive:
Always pay attention to the weather report the day you go hiking. Summer thunderstorms a hundred miles away can form out of nowhere and trigger a flash flood even though the sky above you is clear. Be sure to take note as to whether you are hiking up the narrow canyon drainage or down the narrow canyon drainage. You’ll then know the direction of where a flash flood would be coming. While hiking, always look for places to climb off the canyon floor. Know that climbing up off the canyon floor is much better than trying to outrun a flash flood. Be aware that some places, like Buckskin Gulch, have canyon walls that are hundreds and hundreds of feet high on both sides, and provide no easy exits.
A build-up of clouds or the sound of thunder is a good sign that you should exited the canyon and get to higher ground. If you notice rising water levels or stronger currents in the creeks meandering through a narrow canyon get out of there.
Sometimes the first things you will notice will be a sudden stiff breeze coming the up the canyon, quickly followed by an increasing roar of water. If that happens, get to high ground immediately! You will only have a few moments. Other times you’ll see a sudden change in water clarity, from clear to muddy, that often times accompanied by floating debris is a sign that a flash flood is coming.
Now I don’t write this to terrify you and scare you away. I do this so you will be prepared, know what to look for, and come out of the canyon alive. If you do get caught by a flash flood and are swept downstream, point your feet in the direction the flash flood is taking you, it will give you a better chance to avoid going headfirst into rocks, but also realize that there is probably rocks, trees, and debris being carried behind you.
Remember the best way to survive a flash flood is to not put yourself in that situation to begin with in the first place. Slot canyons are my favorite places to hike, and with a little common sense, you may find that they are your favorite too!
Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Isn’t heat exhaustion and heat stroke the same thing? I hear that a lot when I teach the Boy Scouts about these two different conditions.
Heat exhaustion can be brought on by a combination of dehydration and exposure to the hot sun. Some symptoms can include:
– pale and clammy skin
– heavy sweating
– nausea
– tiredness, dizziness, or fainting
– headache
– muscle cramps
Place the person in the shade, and encourage them to drink water. The cooling process may be accelerated by applying a wet cloth to the skin and fanning the person. Do not continue your hike until the person feels better.
Heat stroke is much more dangerous than heat exhaustion, and requires swift action, because the body’s core temperature has reach a life threathening 105 degrees Farenheit (40.5 degrees Celsius) or higher. The main symptoms to look for with heat stroke are:
– increased heart rate/rapid pulse
– dehydration
– hot, sweaty, red skin
– confusion and disorientation
With heat stroke it is imperative that you get the victim to medical help immediately. The victim’s temperature needs to be lowered quickly. If you are in an area that is too far for swift medical help, you must move the individual to shade, loosen tight clothing, and have him drink small amounts of cool water. Pour water on them and increase cooling by fanning. If traveling in a group of three or more, send one for help. Do not leave the victim alone. Carefully monitor the victim to prevent a relapse.