Scorching Heat Wave Not Deterring Hikers

(21 Jun 2017) A third straight day of scorching heat across the Southwest didn't deter hikers from hitting the trails in the Phoenix area on Wednesday, where rangers were deployed to warn them of the dangers and make sure they stay hydrated.
The first day of summer on Tuesday brought some of the worst heat the southwestern U.S. region has seen in years.
Meteorologists said Tuesday's temperature in Phoenix topped out at 119 degrees, a mark that's only been matched or surpassed four other times in the city's recorded history. The all-time high was 122 degrees on June 26, 1990.
Temperatures on Wednesday were expected to reach up to 117 degrees before trailing off later in the week.
"I should have had more water," Melissa Eichhorn, who is visiting from Missouri, said Wednesday after hiking down a steep Phoenix trail. "Hardest thing I've ever done."
Amy Holtz is visiting with family from Richmond, Virginia, and said they weren't going to let the heat keep them from enjoying their vacation.
"We just wanted to take advantage of the area while we're here and so we're keeping the hikes to pretty short distances and trying not to exert ourselves too much," Holtz said. "And it'll be a story. It'll definitely be an experience we'll always remember, that's for sure."
Phoenix Park Ranger Renee Grant was stationed at the trailhead Wednesday to warn hikers about the dangers ahead and make sure they had enough water.
"We can't really discourage them," Grant said. "We can educate them, but at the end of the day it's their choice."

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...