L2H Day 3 – Hot Topics

 

Beating the Heat

I have always held it a crime to anticipate evils.
I will believe it a good comfortable road until I am compelled
to believe differently.
–from the journal of Meriwether Lewis

March 30, 2015
Lower Tuber Canyon to Darwin Canyon Wash
24 miles on mostly flat in the heat (106 degrees)

I question my sanity after today.
Who hikes in 106 degree weather? It is just not natural.
In my defense, this trip was planned at this time BECAUSE temps historically average in the 80’s. Who knew that this very week would break the heat records of all time in California?
My umbrella was my best friend today and saved me from exposure and heat exhaustion. It IS that good.
With a pre-dawn start and long, brushy, and rocky Tuber Canyon behind, the water cache at Miretta road was a welcome self-created oasis. Heaven.
Dan and I made tea, rested, drank about 4 liters of water, and ate last night’s dinner (we were afraid to use our precious water for cooking last night). More heaven.
As we crossed Panamint Valley, fighter jets from a near-by military base flew overhead. I am sure the chrome domes are quite puzzling and cheery from the air!
We reached Panamint Spring Resort in the early afternoon, picked up our resupply from the store, ate burgers and fries, then showered at the campground. We rinsed our clothes out, put them on wet and the heat dried them in like 2 minutes.
We are camped in Darwin Canyon wash below beautiful Darwin Falls. My feet are swollen and red from heat rash and various other places as well. Now that is just special. Really, it is not natural to don a backpack in this kind of weather.
I am thankful for a gentle cool breeze.
What We Did or Wish We Did:
-Bring an umbrella. Period.
-Food at the cafe in Panamint was delicious.
-Don’t count on the WiFi at the resort. It doesn’t work.
-Loved camping in Darwin Canyon.
Panamint Valley
Wildlife

 

Yoga
Miretta Road Water Cache
Miretta Road Water Cache

 

Make your own shade
Make your own shade

 

Dry Desert

 

Panamint Valley: Temperature Outside - 106 degrees
Panamint Valley: Temperature Outside – 106 degrees

 

Panamint Valley: Temperature Under the Umbrella 91 degrees
Panamint Valley: Temperature Under the Umbrella 91 degrees
Panamint Valley: Crossing dry lake bed
Panamint Valley: Crossing dry lake bed
Creosote Bush and the Panamint Mountains
Creosote Bush and the Panamint Mountains

 

Short road walk to Panamint Spring Resort
Short road walk to Panamint Spring Resort

 

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3 Comments

  1. “hard core bad asses”. Yep, nuff said!

  2. What are you using for your temp gauge. I’ve been looking for a lightweight digital option. This looks like it could be the ticket.

    BTW you picked the worse place to be during a heat wave, like you didn’t know that. It’s hard enough adjusting to summer temps. You’re body must have been hating you.

    I agree about the umbrella 100% especially after my month on the Arizona Trail.

    You and Dan are indeed “hard core bad asses.”

    • It is a Suunto Core watch. I am not sure if they still make this model. I do know they make other models.

      My body hates heat. I get dizzy and nauseous. The umbrella is a magic ticket for me. Dan on the other hand likes the heat. He just hikes away with no problems. So jealous.

      I will take that as a HUGE compliment. 🙂

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