If you have a backpacking trip planned during a time of year when the weather is expected to be very hot, there are a few things that you’ll want to know about and do beforehand to make sure that you’re able to stay safe when you’re out on the trail.

To help you learn just how to prepare for this scenario, here are three tips for backpacking in the heat.

Protect Your Skin

If you’re planning on being out in nature for more than just a few minutes, you’re going to want to protect your skin from any sunshine that could get to you. Even if you don’t think that you’re going to be in direct sunlight for much of your hike, the last thing you want to have happen in the middle of your backpacking day is to feel your skin start to heat up with a sunburn.

To reduce the chances of this happening, you’ll want to put sunscreen on your skin all through the day. Especially since you’ll be getting sweaty from all of your physical activity, you’ll sweat your sunscreen off more quickly than normal. And, in addition to sunscreen, wearing clothes and other accessories that protect your skin and keep the sunlight off of them will also keep you from getting sunburned.

Focus On Hydration

As was mentioned above, when you’re hiking in hot weather, you’re going to be sweating a lot. Because of this, you’re going to need to put more focus on your hydration than you may normally have to do when hiking in a more temperate climate.

Along with having enough water to drink while you’re backpacking, you’ll also want to make sure that you’re keeping up with your electrolytes as well. With the salt that your body will be losing through sweat, you’ll want to make sure that you’re eating salty foods along the trail or adding electrolytes to your drinks so that your levels don’t get all out of whack.

Find Ways To Cool Dow

In hot weather, you’d normally just go into an air conditioned building to cool down. But when you’re out in nature, you have to get a bit more creative.

If there’s water along the route of your backpacking trail, make a plan to keep yourself wet by soaking in the water on occasion. You can also try to choose trails that have shade along the way so that you’re not always hiking in direct sunlight. And to help keep your body cool while it’s moving, you can place wet cloths on your neck and wrists to help reduce your body temperature and keep you comfortable.

If you’re going to be backpacking in the heat, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you keep yourself safe and comfortable while on the trail.