HEAT EXHAUSTION - My Experience - Reflection Canyon

Do not attempt this hike in the summer - I know better, but I also hike alot in extreme conditions (for years and years before I started making these videos) and figured if I paced myself as usual, I would be fine.. I was not.

Having to carry 5 liters of water, along with food/sleep gear added to my condition. (Also having already hiked 6 miles earlier that day).

Luckily, I let go of my pride and turned around once I accepted my symptoms were getting worse instead of plateau-ing or getting better. This remote area does not forgive your mistakes. (Patchy cell service and a 2+ hour drive down rough dirt road to the closest town and who knows how far from the nearest hospital).

I had a lot of inner debate about posting this video, as it is so easy to of just kept this to myself and not post it for the whole internet to see, but on a lot of my hikes I see very ill-prepared people and wanted to take my experience to show people that even someone who is fit and experienced can have issues in the desert. Also, what to do in case anyone else is ever in the same situation. It's best to stay calm even though you will feel very emotional. Get your self cooled down as best you can and try to relax and you will start to feel better.

Earlier that day we did a different, but still exposed hike and there were people not carrying any water at all. I see this all the time. Be smart in the desert, always take sufficient water with you even on the shortest of hikes. Heat exhaustion can creep up on you and quickly turn into heat stroke which needs immediate medical care and can take months to recover from, if not deadly.

You always think "it won't happen to you" until it does.




Music:
Riot - Blood Red Sun
I Don't Wanna Be You - Park Lane
Psychopath - Blood Red Sun

#heat #desert #heatexhaustion #reflectioncanyon #ontherd

[EatHotLeadEver]

Happened to me today. I was panicking - walking 100 feet at a time before a break in the shade. I luckily made it back to the car. Very scary

[jamieferrazano]

Thanks for sharing this video. Me and a few buddies are a week away from doing the R2R2R and I am trying to educate myself on heat stroke as much as possible. Nothing screams better check your egos more than 6 dudes hiking the Grand Canyon. Great advice!

[michaelsyoutubechannel]

This is an important video to watch for anyone about to attempt a hike in the summertime heat. We just completed a 6 mile hike in 107 degree heat at Palo Duro Canyon and experienced heat exhaustion first hand. Temps down in the canyon were pushing 110-115 degrees and several hikers needed rescue from heat related illness. The heat was so intense on the canyon floor my wife's hiking boot became unglued half way back to the trailhead. I recommend hiking very early in the morning, bring more water than you need, and know your limits in terms of distance. The heat will definitely sneak up on you.

[sarahbeth]

I love how honest and raw you are in this video. Good to know your limits.

[kvmtb]

5:40 woah! Totally looked like an arrow. Thanks for sharing! Hopefully it helps someone to recognize early symptoms

[sonajero]

This video basically shows what you shouldn't do. If one member of the group is not feeling ok never leave them alone, even if they insist you to do so. Taking care of one another, that's the point. If you have to cancel the hike, you just cancel it. Don't be selfish. Luckly she did nit run out of water and recovered.

[adventuringoutdoorswitheric]

Well I’m glad you’re OK. I do not enjoy hiking in hot weather at all. Even like the high 70s or 80s are too much for me. But it’s good what you said about don’t let your ego tell you what you should do and let your body tells you what the right thing to do is.