The Devil Went Down To Georgia`

[Mother Natures Son]

Passed two South bounders the other day. They said they were going from DE Water Gap to Georgia. Heat index is well over 93 degrees here in PA. What are the chances of anyone making it, (all the way) in this heat? Has anyone seen or heard of such fool hardy things before?

[The Old Fhart]

Both 1998 and 1999 were drought years with extremely high temps and a lot of hikers made it all the way those years. It can be done.

[Lone Wolf]

this ain't hot. i remember a few years hikin' around northern va. with temps over 100 deg.

[Speakeasy TN]

I'm in SE Tennesee, about 2 hrs from Springer. 90 degrees today....... still not enough to stop the training hikes for next year!
Why would you think the heat would be much different for these guys coming south and the NOBO's in Virginia?

[shelterbuilder]

When the temperature soars, you just have to hike a little smarter...start as early in the day as possible...take a mid-day siesta..."camel-up" every chance that you get...hike later into the evening....

There are lots of different ways to cope with the heat -- "just do it"...and if they are determined, they'll do just that!

[Sierra Echo]

I climbed blood mountain today. I was fine. Wish I had taken more water, but I lived.

[Ox97GaMe]

Yep, there were a lot of triple digit days when I hiked thru VA and PA. you just get used to it. It isnt any different really than all the hikers that are out in the winter. Many say they wont make it because it is too cold. you probably arent going to complete a thru hike if you only hike on days that are ideal temperature (and no rain or snow).

[earlyriser26]

Hot, but can be done if you are in shape and just hydro up. I had to quit a hike last year ( the first in over 40 years) because we were in VA and it was close to 100. Heat stroke is nothing to mess with.

[Gray Blazer]

Try loading watermelons in N FL 12 hours a day everyday for the month of June. Hiking in the mountains is a breeze. As a matter of fact, that's what we FL hikers consider a vacation. I'd like to jump in a mountain stream right now.

[Ender]

Both 1998 and 1999 were drought years with extremely high temps and a lot of hikers made it all the way those years. It can be done.

Yeah, the summer of '98 was dry, but April there were only 2 days that it didn't #$%^&* rain on me.

Still, as far as the heat, when you're out in it day and night, you get used to it. Sure it's hot, but it's nothing like stepping out of an AC'd building into the heat. Your body adjusts to it. Just take it a little easier and listen to your body when it needs to take a break and it's really no big deal.

[DapperD]

Passed two South bounders the other day. They said they were going from DE Water Gap to Georgia. Heat index is well over 93 degrees here in PA. What are the chances of anyone making it, (all the way) in this heat? Has anyone seen or heard of such fool hardy things before?

As has been said, the heat is something that one (assuming one that is healthy) can acclimate to somewhat after a certain amount of time. It will always be hot, but one can get slightly more used to it. This is not to say one can not be overcome with heatstroke, etc...but just that being out in it day after day one can get somewhat more used to it where their bodies will get slightly more tolerant of it. I also think it is somewhat easier for younger folks than older ones. And they would still be wise to have and consume plenty of fluids and to avoid hiking and the sun during the hottest part of the day.

[JDCool1]

Hiking in the heat calls for planning. PCT and CDT hikers run into this all the time going South to North and the South bounders catch it in the end.

[Graywolf]

You guys are complaining about 90* temps?? here in Texas, it can easily soar upwards and beyond 105* this time of year.. I would love to be in 90* temps.. Come to think about it, temps are much cooler in the mountains anyway, so whats your bickering??

Graywolf

[Sierra Echo]

Texas has dry heat. Georgia doesn't.

[Ender]

Texas has dry heat. Georgia doesn't.

That depends on where you are in Texas. In Houston, the humidity can get to 100% in the summer. It's pretty awful.

[Sierra Echo]

That depends on where you are in Texas. In Houston, the humidity can get to 100% in the summer. It's pretty awful.

Really?
I had a friend who was stationed at Ft Hood and she said it was nothing like home!

[ChinMusic]

That depends on where you are in Texas. In Houston, the humidity can get to 100% in the summer. It's pretty awful.

Texas didn't see its population explode until air conditioning. Houston has an oppressive heat index in summer, one of the worst in the country.

You gotta get to the western basin for the dry heat.

[The Solemates]

went for a run earlier today. 101 degrees and 94% humidity. 93 in the mountains aint nothin..

[Graywolf]

Texas has dry heat. Georgia doesn't.

You must be thinking about far west Texas where there is very little water. I live in Dallas, and like Houston, humidity can get up to 100% here too, thinks to the moisture coming up from the Gulf..There is no escaping the humid heat here...

Graywolf

[Graywolf]

Oh, by the way, last year, in August I hiked the 30 miles from Springer to Neals. It was 105* here in Dallas, it barely got over 85* in the mountains in Georgia when I was there.. I was lovin it....

Graywolf