Extreme heat not deterring Valley hikers
Jun 1, 2012, 7:18 AM | Updated: Jun 4, 2012, 10:34 pm
PHOENIX — Temperatures topping 105 degrees on Thursday didn’t keep hardcore hikers out of Echo Canyon at Camelback Mountain and more will test the elements Friday.
Eric Pool said that he has hiked in 115-degree plus heat and he enjoys the challenge, but it is not a sport for amateurs.
“I do this quite a bit and find it’s better and in the summer it’s not as busy,” he said. “If you haven’t done this before it will be very challenging. Bring a lot of water …at least 70 ounces of water and then try it.”
Joe Gonzales, originally from Chicago, said water, bananas and what little shade he could find helped with the hike and it was worth the challenge for the view.
“Beautiful up there,” he said. “I have never seen so far, all the distances. It was great.”
While these hikers made the trip during the hottest part of the day, firefighters and doctors said that is a bad idea and can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
Hikers should make the trip in the early morning before the temperature skyrockets.
