How to survive bikepacking during a heat wave:

1. Get as high as possible. Temperatures are much cooler at elevation.

2. Stick close to the water. Plan a route along lakes or rivers so that you can jump in and cool down.

3. Ice ice baby! Never pass up an ice cream. Also if you get high enough, you might find snow.

4. Cheat! Take the easy way up!

5. Cover up and find cover. Try to find a route that goes through forest, and wear sun protection.

Photos from my weekend mission: operation escape the heat wave aka run to the hills. Started from Luzern early in the morning and left the Lake in Stans to start gaining elevation. The route went through a couple lovely cool forests, which were a welcome relief. Also some steep climbs in the sun, but found some ice cream to reward myself. I followed the old road into Melchtal and cooled off in the ice cold river. From Stöckalp I “cheated” and took the gondola from 1080m to 1900m! From 31c to 21c in a few minutes! Found a lovely camping spot directly on the Melchsee, and snow to cool my beers!

Day two started with an intense morning thunderstorm, but it soon cleared up and I was able to continue up further into the high alpine. My original plan was to swim in the lakes along the way, but with temperatures of 15c it was too cold to jump in!

From the Engstlensee I cheated again and took the chairlift up to the Jochpass. I left my bags at the top and ripped a quick lap of the downhill trail… would be rude not to! After a beer and a snack I sent it down the other side of the pass fully loaded on a mtb trail… it was bumpy but I survived! After a sporty descent into Engelberg, I had a cruisy afternoon down to the lake, and then an easy few KM back to Luzern.