Heat cramps in the legs and abdomen are accompanied by heavy sweating and feeling faint. Caused by excessive salt loss, these painful cramps must be handled by getting to a cool place and sipping water or an electrolyte solution (such as Gatorade).
Dizziness, headache, irregular pulse, disorientation, and nausea are all symptoms of heat exhaustion, which occurs as blood vessels dilate and attempt to move heat from the inner body to the skin. Find a cool place, drink cool water, and get a friend to fan you, which can help cool you off more quickly.
Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that can cause convulsions, unconsciousness, and even death. If you should be sweating and you’re not, that’s the signature warning sign—your hike is over at this point. Other symptoms include dilated pupils; dry, hot, flushed skin; a rapid pulse; high fever; and abnormal breathing. If you or a hiking partner is experiencing heatstroke, do whatever you can to cool down and get help.
Animal, Plant, and Insect Hazards
THE FOLLOWING LIST is by no means intended to scare you off of heading into the mountains, but rather to inform you of potential hazards and advise you on ways to mitigate them. In all likelihood, the only bear or cougar you’ll encounter is the one pictured on the information board, ticks will choose to hang out in the bushes, and beautiful sunsets will replace memories of biting mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes and Biting Flies
The peak of mosquito season in the Cascades is usually around July. As the snow melts, stagnant water and warm temperatures combine to create the perfect mosquito habitat. The best way to handle these pesky insects is to wear long sleeves, bring a tent with good ventilation, and, as a last resort, use some type of insect repellent.
Mosquitoes are capable of transmitting West Nile virus, which is most commonly spread from mosquitoes that have fed on an infected bird. The first case of the virus in the United States was reported in 1999, and it was not reported in Washington until 2006. Most people who carry the virus don’t get sick. A few people report flulike symptoms and even fewer have severe reactions. If you find yourself feeling ill after being exposed to mosquitoes, see a doctor immediately.
Biting flies are another one of nature’s nuisances. Horseflies and deerflies are large, and their bite delivers a mighty punch that can itch for days. Midges, also known as no-see-ums, have a vicious, itchy bite out of proportion with their tiny size. Follow the same precautions as for mosquitoes.
Ticks
Blood-feeding parasites that are related to spiders, ticks can transmit Lyme disease and other illnesses. Cases of tick-related diseases are few in Washington State, but it’s more than worth your time to take the necessary precautions, because extracting ticks from your skin is anything but fun.
The easiest way to avoid a tick bite is to wear a tightly woven long-sleeve shirt and light-colored pants so you can easily spot the tick’s dark body on your clothing. Tuck your shirt into your pants and your pant legs inside your socks or boots, and if you’re traveling in a tick-heavy area, consider using a tick repellent.
Lastly, make sure you do a thorough body check after hiking. When empty of blood, ticks are extremely hard to spot, so inspect yourself carefully, especially in warm, dark areas such as your armpits, groin, head, neck, and ears. Symptoms of tick-related illnesses resemble the flu, so see a doctor if you feel sick after hiking in tick country.
Bears
Two types of bears live in Washington State: the grizzly and the black. Black bears, the more common of the two, roam the Cascade Mountains. Grizzlies, on the other hand, are rare, and sightings of them even rarer. They are on Washington’s endangered-species list, with reports estimating between 10 and 30 grizzly bears living in the northern part of the Cascades.
Most encounters with bears are brief, and you’ll be lucky to catch a glimpse of their rumps waddling away as they run off toward safety. Remember: they’re trying to avoid you just as much as you’re trying to avoid them. To reduce your chance of an encounter, make plenty of noise when hiking, don’t travel by yourself, hike with your dog on a leash (dogs may bring out defensive behaviors in bears), cook away from camp, and hang/securely store your food at night.
If you do have an encounter with a bear, try your best to remain calm, speak in a firm voice, and slowly back away. If you plan to travel in areas frequented by bears, particularly areas with grizzlies, you might consider carrying bear spray, which will more than likely remain in its case.
Cougars
If you should ever spot a cougar, feel honored. These big but timid cats work hard to remain unseen, and sightings of them are uncommon, especially in the wild. Nevertheless, you may encounter cougars that have accidentally stumbled into urban areas that are encroaching on their ever-shrinking habitat.
In the unlikely event that you encounter a cougar, remain calm. Speak to the cougar in an assertive voice, and try to make yourself look large and intimidating. Don’t make any sudden movements, and keep your eyes on the animal at all times. If you have children with you, pick them up or move them close to you. If an attack ensues, fight back.
Rattlesnakes
The western rattlesnake prefers a warm, dry climate, such as is found on the eastern slopes of the Cascades. These rattlers hibernate during the winter in large numbers, tucking themselves into rock crevices on south-facing mountainsides, and slowly begin to emerge between March and May, dispersing to their summer habitats.
Like cougars, rattlesnakes are shy and prefer to hide from larger animals (including humans) to avoid being preyed on. Bites are extremely rare, and when they do occur, it’s usually because someone was stupidly trying to capture or provoke the snake. If you hear a rattle, know that the snake is just alerting you that you’re entering its territory.