Making Friends with an Unfriendly Texas Summer
Most Americans have to deal with at least one unpleasant season. Whether that’s sun or snow, it’s healthy for us outsiders to make friends with bad weather. In Texas, that’s the brutal Summer heat. Don’t be cavalier with or afraid of the Summer heat - here are our tips for surviving and thriving outdoors in a scorching Summer.
Hydrate, Then Hydrate Some More
Sweat is our body’s way of cooling us. But excessive sweating dehydrates us. I start every morning by “Power Hydrating” - drinking a liter of water with electrolytes to get a head-start on the day. Same goes for heading out for a hot adventure. Drink enough water so that you’re peeing every few hours and your urine is mostly clear - I love my HyraPak Water Reservoir for making hydration easy. Eating salty snacks keeps our electrolytes balanced. Staying well hydrated keeps you safe, but also performing at your peak.
Let’s Make that an Ice Water
Some research suggests cold beverages actually improve performance in hot environments, but one way or another, they’re definitely refreshing. Start with your water bottle half frozen so it melts into cold water for you. An insulated water bottle goes a long way (I’ve had my Hydro Flask for ten years).
Functional Fashion
Lightweight, breathable fabrics are your friends in the summer heat. Look at my adventure photos and you’ll see my uniform is Patagonia Convertible Pants and lightweight, collared long-sleeve shirt to protect from the sun. Remember, dark colors absorb sunlight. Dorky sun hats are a sign of confidence.
That Wet Thing Around Your Neck
A cool wet bandana around your neck works through evaporative cooling but also cools the blood under your skin and blocks the sun from your neck. While Amazon has 20,000 results for “cooling neck wrap,” I just dip my old bandana in cold water and sometimes roll ice inside of it.
Timing is Everything
Every adventure in Texas is doable at some time of the day, that’s just not generally 11a-6p in the Summer time. Go on dawn patrol to get an adventure in before it heats-up, or in the evening when the sun is low and the humidity drops. I love my Petzl Headlamp for hikes that start before sunrise.
Fan-tastic Solutions
We instinctively fan ourselves with our hands or the nearest piece of paper because convection cooling literally blows away the heat. This fan is Wirecutter’s choice for a cordless beach fan, although I camp with this Ryobi fan because the battery is compatible with my power tools.
Chase Shade or Make it
Always consider where the sun will be, and what that means for your adventure choices. Got a sweet loop trail in mind? Start in the open meadows when the sun is low and finish along the shade of the creek in the heat of the day. Being along the northside of hill or cliff means more protection from the sun to the South. To make your own shade, this beach tent has great reviews while REI’s Screen Shelter also protects from bugs. The Gossamer Gear hiking Umbrella saved me on the hottest day of the Big Bend 100.
Cool Off Before Bed
Truthfully, I rarely camp in Texas in the Summer because I’m cranky trying to sleep when it’s hot. When I camped at Inks Lake in July a few years ago, I soaked in the lake for an hour to lower my core temperature before bed. Air dry when you get out to let evaporative cooling do it’s thing.
A Final Note on Fun
Sure it’s hot, but I’d rather be swimming on the hottest day in Texas, than fighting snow on the coldest day in North Dakota. Here’s are a few of our favorite toys for Summer fun: The SereneLife Inflatable Paddleboard, the Cressi Snorkel, Mask and Fin set, maybe an icy cocktail in a Corkcicle 25 ounce Travel Canteen.
A Final Note on Safety
Heat related illnesses and death are all too common in Texas. Have fun outside, but never let your guard down. Watch out for signs and symptoms of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Rest and recover when you see early signs of heat illnesses. If you see anyone with an “Altered Mental Status” (acting or talking unusually, for example) associated with Texas heat, rapidly cool them, and evacuate to professional medical help immediately.
So there you have it, your complete guide to staying cool in the Texas heat. With these tricks, tips, and cool gear, you'll be chillin even when the rest of the world isn’t.
