It’s getting hot again in Hong Kong. If you intend to go hiking these months from May to August when the temperature can hit over 30 celsius during the day, please take heed to follow our tips and guides so you can enhance your hiking experience in the heat. This article is the second of a two-part series on hiking in hot weather.
For planning and preparing for your hike in the heat, please refer to our previous post.
Managing your sweat during the hike
1. When it’s hot, you will sweat! So, bring a towel (ideally microfibre so it dries quickly) that you can use to wipe your face and body.
2. Wear synthetic or wool socks and pack an extra pair for your hike in case you need it.
3. Chafing is likelier to happen when your wet skin rubs against wet clothes – including underwear and sports bras.
– Wearing clothing that is made of synthetic fibres can ease the chances of chafing occuring, but also protect the parts that you know are prone to chafing! For example, you may want to wear leggings or cycling shorts inside your hiking pants to protect your thighs.
– You may also want to use anti-chafing lubricants or powders before you hike and reapply as necessary
Understanding heat stress and heat-related illnesses
Heat stress is a spectrum that differs in severity with different symptoms. The most severe is heat stroke. It’s important to understand what are the symptoms and what to do if you encounter these situations:
Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html)
We hope you’ve found this two-part series on Hiking in Hot Weather helpful. We’re here to enhance the enjoyment of your experience while out in nature and Hong Kong’s country parks. Don’t forget to take a look at our other tips and tools here including our hiking do’s and don’ts. We have plenty of resources, such as what to do when you encounter thunderstorms when in the mountains, hiking in the rain and how to manage strain and sprains.