Hot weather is becoming more common and can have significant impact on the safety and comfort of your expedition. It is very important to make adjustments for hot weather to stay safe.
Hot weather increases the risk of -
Dehydration
Sun burn
Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke
Check the weather forecast for the location where your expedition will be taking place. Make informed decisions about what the weather is likely to be like during your expedition.
Bring plenty of water (at least 2 litres).
Pack and apply high factor sun cream regularly throughout the day.
Wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses at all times when in the sun.
Avoid dark coloured clothing
Pack light, you should pack only what you will need. You will still need to bring waterproofs and spare clothes, as hot weather may give rise to thunderstorms and heavy rain.
Personal medication: Pollen counts tend to be high during hot weather, especially June/July (grass pollen season), so don’t forget your hayfever tablets. For those that suffer from asthma or breathing difficulties, these conditions can be exacerbated by hot weather, so remember to have your inhaler to hand.
Review menus: You should ensure they have food that is lightweight, dehydrated, and full of energy. Do not bring food that will go rotten or melt in hot weather or is heavy to carry.
Drink sips of water: you must drink plenty of water throughout the expedition. We will provide top-ups of water at checkpoints and on route throughout the expedition.
Regularly apply high factor sun cream throughout the day.
Wear short-sleeved t-shirts, trousers/leggings, sun hat and sunglasses.
Adjust Start Times: be prepared to start earlier in the day when it is cooler. On days when temperatures are likely to be high, we will aim to get all teams off camp site between 6:30am - 7:30am.
Review routes: routes will be reviewed by Supervisors and amended if necessary, to reduce the amount of time spent in areas with prolonged high exposure to the sun or limited shade.
Talk to your Supervisor: If you are feeling unwell or have a headache, you must let your Supervisor know.