Walking Project 023_shadows – Cucamonga Peak via Middle Fork from chris worland on Vimeo.

Bumble bees feast on

wild sage, yuccas in full bloom

Hot last day of spring

 

On this day, the eve of the summer solstice, Death Valley recorded temperatures of 127 ºF. That’s only 7ºF short of the hottest recorded temperatures on earth-56.7°C (134°F), 7/10/1913, Death Valley. Meanwhile, skiers are still hitting the slopes in the Sierras, thanks to a record snowpack. To celebrate, I went for a strenuous ramble. The idea was to gain altitude  to find lower temperatures and, barometric pressure willing, a mountain breeze. According to this New York Times article, I should have prepared beforehand. A new study seems to have found that acclimation–performing workouts in high temperatures for five days leading up to your event–yields the best results. There’s another method though, that’s a lot more fun. You precool your body by wearing frozen underwear.