A family of three, including an infant just 3 months old, was rescued in Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas on Aug. 20 after running out of water. The parents, both 23, alerted park rangers of their distress sometime around 4:15 p.m., according to a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) press release. They were experiencing signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion when they were discovered.
The family set out sometime mid-morning from the Pine Springs Trailhead along the Tejas Trail, according to park rangers. The hike is strenuous, rated as “Hard” on AllTrails, and connects to the Hunter Peak Loop. By 3 p.m., they had run out of water in the 90-degree heat.
Rangers quickly dispatched a Pilatus PC-12 aircraft to search for the family following their call for help. They discovered them and sent an Airbus H-125 helicopter to assist in the rescue.
A Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) performed an on-site medical examination of the stranded family. All three were loaded into the helicopter and flown to safety for further medical evaluations. Texas DPS has yet to release an update on the family’s condition.
While the initial press release stated that the family had hiked 9 miles out along the trail, when GearJunkie called Guadalupe Mountains National Park and spoke with a ranger who had been on the scene, she said that was not the case. According to her, the family was a lot closer than they had initially thought.
Hiking in the desert, especially in the summer, can be a dangerous endeavor. Places like the Guadalupe Mountains can sustain temperatures of 80 to over 90 degrees for many hours throughout the day. It can be extremely dangerous if you are unprepared or unaware of the risks. Earlier this year, a man died in Death Valley National Park after hiking just 1 mile in 118-degree heat.
Here are a few tips from GearJunkie and the National Park Service for hiking in the desert (or anywhere it’s hot) and avoiding heat exhaustion and dehydration.
Stay Cool, Stay Hydrated, Stay Safe: Hiking in Hot Weather
Water, Water, and More Water
It sounds obvious, but drinking a lot of water while hiking, especially in the heat of summer and/or in an arid environment, is essential. People are supposed to drink half a liter of water an hour during moderate exercise in moderate heat.
For strenuous exercise in hotter temperatures, it should be closer to a full liter per hour. That may sound like a lot of water, but it’s what your body needs to stay cool and hydrated.
Hike Early or Late, But Not in Between
Deserts reach peak heat between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The coolest times of day are in the early morning and late evening. Hiking in the middle of the day and afternoon is generally not recommended. Even if you are prepared with a lot of water, exercise in 80+ degree temperatures with high sun exposure can be dangerous.
Consider the time of year you’re hiking as well. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, for instance, recommends hiking there in the spring or fall.
Plan Your Route
Spontaneity can be a lot of fun when it comes to dinner plans or movie nights. However, on the trail, it can lead to some dangerous situations. Know where you are going ahead of time, what trail you’ll be hiking, how far it is, and the difficulty level. Use apps like onX or AllTrails and have your route pulled up when you disembark. Getting lost is the first step toward needing a rescue. Having a map is an easy way of avoiding that.
Know Your Limits
Don’t try to hike trails that are beyond your physical abilities. Overexertion is a huge contributor to heat exhaustion.
Watch the Weather
Part of planning any hike is checking the weather before you go. Forecasts aren’t always perfectly accurate, but they can help you decide what to bring, where to hike, and how long you should be out. Whether you’re looking at a cloudless day, broken thunderstorms, or a blizzard, knowing what kind of weather to expect is a huge advantage for staying safe.
