It's Hot Out There! (Couple of Kilt Observations)

[Chas]

I was in Phoenix in June 26, 1990 when it reached 122 degrees.

T.

I was in Greece when they had their heatwave. Daytime temps were only between 109 and 112 degrees F, but people (mainly tourists) were dropping like flies. I think, I will always remember a taxi pulling up at the Acropolis and the taxi driver finding that his three passengers were dead. They had died in the car in the 10 minute ride from the hotel. I have been a great believer in hat wearing since then.

Regards

Chas

[Fit2BKilted]

I think, I will always remember a taxi pulling up at the Acropolis and the taxi driver finding that his three passengers were dead. They had died in the car in the 10 minute ride from the hotel. I have been a great believer in hat wearing since then.

Regards

Chas

Holy Sun-baked Senior Citizens, Batman!

[Foosinho]

118+ degrees! Good lord Ted, I would die!

Before I had been to AZ, I used to believe this too. I knew how uncomfortable I am during the summer in Ohio when it gets to 90 degrees. But the lack of humidity makes a huge difference. It's hot, but not really all that uncomfortable. I spent a week in Yuma where it was in the low triple digits every day this summer and - as long as I had some shade - it was easily tolerable. In the Tombstone area - where I spent the next week - it was a smidge cooler (still +100) but far more comfortable. Just a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off, and it was fine. I drank a ton of water, but I was sweating less than I do back here in Ohio, and was way more comfortable.

It's not as bad as you might expect going in, and it's the lack of humidity that makes all the difference.

I bet a lightweight contemporary kilt would work great in the desert (as long as there's no sandstorm!).

[Bugbear]

We skipped our rainy summer season this year...

I was just out there working, and as the sun was going down, one of the roosters down the road started crowing. I think that sums it up.

[McNulty]

It is the humidity or lack thereof that makes you uncomfortable in the heat. We've been hot out here for the past two weeks and I've either worn my 6yd casual or my 13oz 8yd wool. Either one breathes well in the hot 95F+ weather. I can get away with wearing my 16ozers early in the A.M. or early evening when the temps get into the 60'sF. Even with a slight breeze the 16ozers are a tad much for the really hot temps/days.
Nulty

[davedove]

I understand completely about the waistband Ted. Whenever I have worn a kilt, traditional or otherwise, I have noticed that the waist is where all the heat is trapped, mainly because my shirt was tucked in. My legs are usually fine, even with hose.

[macwilkin]

Before I had been to AZ, I used to believe this too. I knew how uncomfortable I am during the summer in Ohio when it gets to 90 degrees. But the lack of humidity makes a huge difference. It's hot, but not really all that uncomfortable. I spent a week in Yuma where it was in the low triple digits every day this summer and - as long as I had some shade - it was easily tolerable. In the Tombstone area - where I spent the next week - it was a smidge cooler (still +100) but far more comfortable. Just a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off, and it was fine. I drank a ton of water, but I was sweating less than I do back here in Ohio, and was way more comfortable.

It's not as bad as you might expect going in, and it's the lack of humidity that makes all the difference.

I bet a lightweight contemporary kilt would work great in the desert (as long as there's no sandstorm!).

Well said!

Although I always thought Yuma was a bit worse in terms of the Colorado River raising the humidity --- another plus to the dry desert heat is for those of us who suffer with asthma -- I could always breathe much better in Arizona than I could in Missouri.

I also feel "hemmed in" here in the Summer -- too many trees, too much green -- I prefer wide vistas -- I suppose that stems from my Iowa mother and "catcus kicker" father.

T.

[McFarkus]

118+ degrees! Good lord Ted, I would die!

Ditto! We just finished our coolest July in 130 years (when they started keeping records) - not one day of 90 degrees or above. I'm getting spoiled.

[Galician]

I was in Greece when they had their heatwave. Daytime temps were only between 109 and 112 degrees F, but people (mainly tourists) were dropping like flies. I think, I will always remember a taxi pulling up at the Acropolis and the taxi driver finding that his three passengers were dead. They had died in the car in the 10 minute ride from the hotel. I have been a great believer in hat wearing since then.

Regards

Chas

Terrible tale! but I'm confused as to how a hat would have helped in that situation.

[funlvnman]

It's been up around 118+ degrees F over here in the low Arizona desert;

Just as you get used to the cold in winter, you get used to the heat in summer. When I first moved to Tucson, which about 100 miles southeast of Phoenix, I thought I was going to faint if the temp got above 95 F. Now, 10 years later, when it breaks 100 F I only think it's starting to get warm. Of course I won't leave the house without a water bottle, a WIDE brimmed hat and some sunscreen.

At some of the hiking areas here that are monitored by forest rangers, you are not allowed in if you don't have water and a hat and can be fined if you are caught hiking without them. A couple years ago two of my co-workers died from dehydration during a mere two hour hike. The Sun is not to be taken lightly, pun intended, in the southwest.