Signs of hypothermia:
• Shivering, which helps the body produce heat with muscle activity
• Weakness, including slow breathing, slow speech, low pulse, drowsiness, and loss of coordination
• Confusion or apathy
• Glassy stare
• For infants, low energy with cold, bright red skin
• Unconsciousness (most serious case)
If you or someone you know is experiencing signs of hypothermia, seek medical attention and call 911, especially if extreme hypothermia has set in, including when body temperature falls below ninety-five degrees Fahrenheit. In the meantime, get to a warmer location and monitor breathing and circulation. Get into dry, warm clothes and begin warming up slowly with blankets and possibly heating pads or electric blankets to core body areas. Keep from warming the body too quickly; warm the core (midsection) first. Try drinking warm liquids, but not alcohol or caffeine.
If the affected person is unconscious, call for medical help right away. If there is no pulse or sign of breathing, immediately begin CPR (make sure there is no pulse before starting CPR; this may take a bit to know since the heart rate is likely slow). Once CPR is the decided course of action, keep it up until medical help arrives or breathing or a pulse has been restored. Remember that confusion can set in, making the affected person’s ability to make good decisions for their safety difficult.
Hypothermia is a scary situation, so take precautions to avoid it:
• Make note of the outside temperature, including wind chill, and don’t stay in the cold too long. If necessary, take breaks indoors.
• Dress accordingly by covering exposed skin and dressing in loose, warm layers with water-wicking layers closest to the skin.
• Stay hydrated with warm fluids, excluding alcohol and caffeine, and eat high-fat carbs.
• Stay moving to keep your core warm.
• Take extra precautions with infants, children, elderly, and those who have conditions that increase hypothermia risk (those with diabetes, thyroid conditions, or if using drugs or alcohol).
If you experience any signs of hypothermia, get inside and get warm.
CLOTHING
We get this question a lot: What kinds of clothes should I bring for my visit? Uh, how about all of them?
In northern New Mexico you’re going to do this, and it’ll be funny when you do: “It’s eighty-eight degrees outside with no clouds in the sky. I think I’ll leave my jacket. Y’all ready to go?”
Twenty minutes later, somewhere in the mountains: Temperature has dropped into the fifties and the skies are full of cold rain. And you are wet and shivering.
As we discussed earlier, the only thing predictable about weather in the Enchanted Circle is its variability. So you need to bring a variety of clothes to cover the various conditions. In summer, start with a rain jacket, a shell or lightweight jacket, and a fleece jacket or vest. The uniform for veterans includes quick-dry shorts or lightweight pants matched with Tevas/Chacos or sneakers, and to top it off, a fishing shirt (ponytail or man-bun optional). Color choices of clothes match the land and buildings—lots of taupe and ochre and sage. If you are hair-challenged like Mark, bring sunblock and wear a cap.
Evening wear is casual even at fancy eating places. Even if you wear a jacket, no tie is usually needed, and you won’t need a fancy jacket or suit coat in any place we know about. One of the great things about the Enchanted Circle is the laid-back aspect of just about everything.
You will see styles of every sort, from turquoise bolo ties and big floppy straw hats to bohemian chic with loose skirts and chiffon tops. Everything goes. But always bring a jacket just in case the weather turns. If you plan to hike, bring a sturdy pair of hiking boots or at least tennis shoes with good grip. We always have sunblock, sunglasses, hat or cap, and a bandana with us. Oh, and bring a pair of swim trunks or your bathing suit in case you get the urge to soak in one of the natural hot springs or a slopeside hot tub.
Winter is tricky. Some years see more snow than others. Some are colder than others. If it’s extremely cold outside, wear a shell (waterproof, windproof), a fleece layer, and a warm layer close to your skin. Gloves, scarves, and some sort of warm hat or knit cap on your head are necessary at the ski resorts. On the slopes, skiers wear everything from the most expensive European-style ski suits to Scotch-guarded jeans with a Carhartt jacket. If you plan to drive in the winter, dress warmly and in layers, and bring all your winter gear and drive safely.
DRIVING
To get around the Enchanted Circle, you’ll probably be driving. You will at times be seemingly in middle of nowhere, not a car for miles. You might encounter wildlife that jump out in front of your vehicle or appear suddenly as you round a curve—elk herd or bighorn sheep or deer. Keep your eyes on the road and be ready to brake slowly. Make sure your spare tire is aired up and you have a jack that works in case you get a flat tire. What if you end up on a muddy road, or encounter a washed-out side road? Are you prepared? You’ll find gas stations in all the main towns, but sometimes you might be 20 miles from the nearest station, so plan accordingly. If you are off-roading, have a spare gas tank (and a fix-it kit). Gas is more expensive in the more remote towns, so expect to pay more.
Packing List for Your Vehicle or Backpack
• Rain jacket
• Cap or hat
• Sunglasses
• Compass or GPS device
• Fleece jacket
• Bottles or a jug of water
• Breakfast bars, beef jerky, other nonperishables
• Flares and flare gun
• Reflective tape
• Lighter, matches
• Jumper cables
• Tow strap
• Working spare tire and car jack
• Good pocketknife or utility tool
For winter:
• Tire chains for snow
• Kitty litter or something similar for traction
• Folding shovel
• Blanket
A common mistake that visitors make, those who aren’t used to driving on winding mountain roads, is riding the brake. Don’t brake all the way down a curvy mountain road or you may not have any brakes by the time you get down off the mountain. Go into a lower gear and learn to coast through turns. If a vehicle is too close behind you, find a pullout and let them go around you. You need a rest stop or photo op anyway. You might get caught up viewing wildlife or scenery and not realize you are slowing traffic behind you. Stay aware. If you are pulling an RV or trailer camper, stay to the right in two-lane roads, slow down on curves, and be aware of overhanging limbs.
Take your time and enjoy the drive. If you find yourself behind a slow car, there will be a two-lane climbing lane soon enough. Be careful passing if you don’t have a line of sight of oncoming traffic. When you approach towns, communities, parks, and campgrounds, slow down because the speed limit will certainly be lower and you need to watch for kids or dogs. If someone is in the crosswalk waiting to cross, slow down and stop and wait for them to cross.
Many of the backroads only need high clearance, but find out beforehand because you might find yourself in a rutty, muddy situation that requires a 4WD. Especially in fall and winter, roads can ice over or get loaded with dangerous snow pretty quickly, so watch for changing conditions.