A Shortened Hike: Dealing with Dehydration in Badlands National Park SD

We drove from Fowler, CO to Badlands National Park, SD not realizing that Nancy wasn't feeling well. She slept most of the way and didn't drink a whole lot of fluids during the drive. The next morning she woke up not feeling well, but wanted to go ahead with the hikes. Once we arrived at our first hike her health went downhill quickly. It wasn't long before she was feeling dizzy and had to head back to our SUV. Once there she drank a lot of fluids, got cooled off, and rested some. Soon she was feeling better and had learned a valuable lesson: Drink whether you feel thirsty or not.

Dehydration can set in very quickly. Many times, once you realize your are dehydrated, it's already too late and unless treated immediately can be very dangerous. Always start a hike overhydrated. I drink around 16 ounces of fluid on my way to my hiking destination, especially in hot, arid climates. Then I drink during my hike. I carry an insulated water bottle and have a 1.5 liter hydration backpack.

I remember one hike I took a few years back in Canyonlands with Nancy and our daughter Jenna. It was about 100 degrees and was a 3 mile out-and-back hike in open country with little to no shade. By the time we reached the halfway mark Jenna wasn't feeling well. On the way back Jenna was having trouble focusing and I had to help her walk back to our car. There was was a potable water pump there and I had Jenna sit under the water spout, let the water pour over her, and drink lots of fluids. The running water cooled her body down and she was soon feeling better. I remember she slept on the way back to our cabin. Part of the problem with this hike was we did not take insulated water bottles so our water got hot. We also didn't take enough fluids. Since then we have acquired the proper equipment: hydration backpacks, insulated bottles, cooling towels, and hats.

Equipment:
iPhone 10
A 15 year old Olympus VG-140 Camera
Bcway Phone All-in-One Travel Tripod with Remote
Trekking Poles, Insulated Bottles, and Backpack are Ozark Trail
Hiking hat is a Tilley

Music:
Lost & Found by Dan Lebowitz
Twilight Train by Dan Lebowitz

We travel in a 2019 Toyota RAV4 XLE front-wheel drive with over 99,000 miles. We are still praying for a small Scamp or an Aliner to tow behind it.

Recorded on location June 24, 2021 at Badlands National Park SD.