We are in for a very hot trip. Lucky we'll be able to jump in the lakes. Here are a few thoughts about heat management.
A friend and I were surprised one morning hiking the hills at Heber Down with our dogs — we were exhausted before we even got started, and then we realized: it was the heat. On a canoe trip, we're doing hard physical work portaging, and we're in direct sun while paddling. Heat and sun injuries will end a trip. Dehydration, sun stroke, sunburn and rising core temperatures must be actively managed.
Heat tires you out and makes you lethargic before you even realize it's happening. Build your heat management plan before you leave, not after you're already on the water.
1. Drink lots of water
That means carrying lots of water. Bring at least two 1L Nalgenes per person. Consider Gatorade for day one, or Gatorade powder, to replace the salts you'll lose sweating on portages. A few extra carabiners to clip water bottles to your pack during portages are handy.
2. Cover up
Wear a broad-brimmed hat — keeping direct sun off your head is non-negotiable. Wear light, long-sleeved clothing or apply sunblock to keep direct sun off your skin. Counterintuitively, covering up keeps you cooler than going bare in full sun.
3. Swim often
Go for several swims throughout the day, even when paddling and portaging. Paddling in clothes you'd be comfortable swimming in means there's no reason not to cool off whenever you pass a good spot. Don't wait until you're overheated.
4. Move in the morning
Travel early in the morning rather than the afternoon, which is the hottest part of the day. Yes, this means getting up and out early — but it also means you can relax at camp, swim, and recover during the hot afternoons instead of grinding through them.
Have fun and stay cool.
Lewis Williams, 2021