Summer is in full swing. Lets get you up to date with some great tips to beat da heat.

 

MAIN TOPICS

1. Plan to be Happy
2. Tepache
3. How Hot Are You
4. Post Hike/Ride Habits

 

Plan to be Happy

How the heck can you plan to be happy? Surprisingly easy.

Choose a hike that is right for you. New to hiking? Lets not plan on hiking Mount Olympus after work on Tuesday. The BST (Bonneville Shoreline Trail) is relatively flat and easy to get to. How about some kayaking or a walk with the dogs?

Take your time and be mindful of your surroundings. There is no need to rush during your peaceful times outdoors. Sometimes just stopping in the middle of your hike/bike/walk just to see what is around you or take in the smells of the quaking aspens can turn that frown upside down.

Hike with friends or family. You are not the only person who like the outdoors and sometimes an invite to/from a pal is just what you need!

Leave no trace. Nature does not want your Rockstar Energy can! Do one better; clean up a piece of trash you find while hiking.

 

 

Tepache

Oh boy if you have not heard of Tepache get ready for this one! This easy drink can be made with only fruit, sugar, and love.

During a hike around my neighborhood, I ran into a beautiful plum tree. It was fruiting and dropping plums like a B52 bomber. This got me inspired to make one of my favorite summer treats.

Traditional Tepache is made with pineapple, but I think this is still qualifies. All it takes is container, a couple pounds of crushed plums, a half a cup of sugar, a lemon, and around 3/4 gallons of water.

The idea is the let the natural yeast on the fruit break down the sugars to make a uniquely flavored drink. This takes 3-4 days at room temp. Your mixture will look something like the photo below.

Drain the liquid portion to jars and enjoy!

Note: This is a fermented drink so use discretion. I put the liquid in the fridge immediately to slow the fermentation. This drink is not pasteurized so it is only good for a couple days.

This non-alcoholic beverage is the perfect summer aperitif.

 

How Hot are You

The sun can be your best friend and your worst enemy.

Don’t just take my word for it – look at Lila, Ferny, and Daisy.

Finding some shade during your hike will help lower your body temp and make the rest of your adventure a bit more enjoyable.

That dorky wide brim hat that your uncle wore growing up turns out to be highly functional and quite stylish (in some aspects). Look – Ill take looking like a stay-at-home dad for an hour than deal with sunburnt ears and nose for a week!

One thing that is new to me is setting up a sun shade at camp. The tarp used for the sun shade helped keep the sun off of our coolers and cooking surfaces.

Notice that amazing Clementine XL in the picture?

Sometimes getting creative to beat the heat is required. We found a stream to hop in during the middle of the day and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

 

Post Outside Habits

Stretch. Stretching your muscles after a hike helps to improve flexibility and reduce soreness. Hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds.

Rehydrate. Drink plenty of fluids to replenish the fluids you lost during your hike. Water is best, but you can also drink sports drinks or electrolyte-rich beverages.

Eat a healthy meal. Eating a healthy meal after a hike helps to refuel your body and provide nutrients for muscle repair. Choose a meal that includes complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats.

Get a good night sleep. Sleep is essential for muscle recovery. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night.

Soothe sore muscles. You can use a heating pad, ice pack, or massage to soothe sore muscles.

Take the rest of the day off. Give your body a day to rest and recover after a long hike.

 

Final Thoughts

Thank you for reading our summer newsletter. We hope you found some inspiration for your next hike. We wish you all a safe and happy summer season.

Remember to be prepared, stay safe, leave no trace, and collect that rain.

 

Happy trails,

 

Alex

 

 

Published 18 August 2023