EmilyD wrote:jcliff wrote:Irish decent here, and an Illinois flatlander and I've never had a problem in the Black Rock Desert.....and I do go out and explore during the day. A few tips: Acclimate to the dry conditions about 2 months before going. Although you may not realize it, you are probably dehydrated in normal life pretty often. A stress headache is most often due to poor hydration rather than stress. Start training yourself to drink a half gallon of water each day now, and a gallon of water each day by mid-July.
On the playa, before you have your morning coffee, chug 16 oz. of a weak electrolyte drink (watered down Gatorade or some such.) This makes your body better equipped to deal with the drying effects of caffeine.
All day guzzle water, not sips, good long pulls....even if you don't feel thirsty. If you feel thirsty you're in the first stages of dehydration. Save the alcohol for after the sun goes down.
Neutrogena makes a "Fresh Cooling Sunscreen (spf 45)" that really does cool the body. I used it my first year and loved it, and now I bring 2 extra bottles to use as a little gift spray for the sun slapped I run into on my travels.
Thanks for these great tips jcliff! Why are you recommending a watered down electrolyte instead of full strength? Just wondering.
Sugar is one reason. Too much and you can't absorb the elect--okay, I forget what the connection between sugar and electrolytes is, but I remember its being there.
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