The asphalt jungle swelters and steams in mid-summer. It’s fight or flight time, and the heat’s a formidable foe. A lot of folks simply don’t have the stomach for a fight. But if you’re one of the millions who opt to flee to the backcountry, there are no guarantees you’ll escape. A sandy lakeshore at high noon offers precious little shade. A shadeless road without end is a baking nightmare at high noon. And a portage trail that winds for miles through a spruce hell can be as airless and stifling as any locked car in a big-box parking lot. What’s the remedy? That’s easy. Chill out! Let’s cool it, beginning with…

The Pause That Refreshes

Every cyclist, hiker, and paddler learns the importance of proper hydration sooner or later. The best rule of thumb? Drink early and often, before you feel thirsty. (Don’t drink so often, or so much, that you wash the salts out of your blood, however. This isn’t a problem for most of us, but if you’re worried about it, talk to your doc.) Tepid water from a plastic bottle or hydration pack will do the job under way, but at day’s end it’s time to let yourself go. Kick back and relax with a tall cold one… Read more…

 
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