Maturing in Arizona, treking in the desert was just” treking.”Like many other desert locals, I instinctively understood things like when to go( and, more importantly, when not to go), and” forgetting to drink water”was simply not a thing. I understood to expect snakes and cacti, and I knew the signs of heat health problems like the majority of people understand the indications of a common cold or flu.
I no longer reside in Arizona, but my family and I still desert camp and desert hike from our base in Southern California. For a few of us, the desert is simply “outside.” But for many people, the desert is the wild, wild west.
If you wish to explore the unique charm of the American Southwest– specifically if you prepare to brave some of that infamous desert heat– here are some things to remember, plus some leading desert treking tips to assist you stay safe and have fun.
Common Threats When Desert Hiking
Whether you’re checking out Death Valley National Park in eastern California, Zion National forest in southern Utah, or Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, hiking in the desert can provide various challenges than hiking in other environments.
Here are some essential threats of desert hiking.
Extreme Temperatures
Image by Brian Wangenheim The majority of deserts are understood for their intense heat(although deserts are specified by typical annual rains, not temperatures, making Antarctica the biggest desert on Earth ). In addition to precariously high temperatures, deserts may likewise have very low temperatures. Sometimes, the temperature level variety in a single day is rather severe, and hikers need to be gotten ready for this.
Dehydration
It’s common to end up being mildly dehydrated while treking in the desert, thanks to the dry air and heats (normally speaking). Nevertheless, this does not mean you need to accept any level of dehydration as part of the desert hiking experience.
Common symptoms and signs of dehydration consist of headache, dark-colored urine, dry mouth, dry lips, feeling thirsty, lightheaded, and/or sensation tired. Regrettably, if you begin to experience symptoms, it’s already too late. Begin rehydrating right away to keep your dehydration from becoming dangerous.
To prevent becoming dehydrated in the first place, hydrate frequently by taking frequent drinks of water or an electrolyte-replenishing fluid. The opposite of dehydration, hyponatremia, occurs when your body’s salt concentration becomes precariously low.
Drinking water rather of chugging it will assist avoid hyponatremia.
Absence of Water Sources
Image by NEOM If you’re used to hiking in locations where you can discover natural water sources to renew your hydration reservoir, you’ll require to reconsider your technique when desert hiking. Water sources in the desert are scarce and typically unreliable (what was streaming last time may be bone dry this time).
Hikers must bring enough water with them for the duration of their walking or know for particular where trustworthy water sources are.
Heat-Related Diseases
Heat-related health problems consist of heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat rash.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cautioning indications of heat stroke include high body temperature (103 ° F or greater), quick and strong pulse, dry or damp skin, hot and/or red skin, headache, lightheadedness, and nausea. Heat stroke is a medical emergency situation, and anyone experiencing symptoms must call 9-1-1 for immediate medical treatment.
Heat fatigue signs similarly consist of dizziness, headache, and nausea, however they vary from heat stroke because heat fatigue victims normally have a quick but weak pulse and cold, pale, and/or clammy skin.
If you experience muscle discomfort or spasms in addition to heavy sweating, you may be having heat cramps. And if you display clusters of small, red blisters on your skin during or after a desert hike, that’s likely heat rash.
Prevent heat-related diseases by consuming frequently during a hike, safeguarding your skin from the sun, and looking for shade or shelter if your body temperature level gets expensive.
People die from ignoring the desert and the severity of heat-related illnesses. Do not let this happen to you.
Sun Exposure
Image by NEOM In many deserts, the sun shines on many days of the year, exposing you to UV radiation that can burn your skin year-round. In reality, it doesn’t have to be a very hot day for
hikers to experience sunburn from a desert hike. Protect your skin by using lightweight, UPF-rated hiking clothes, a treking hat, and treking sunglasses, and by putting sunscreen on exposed skin.
Sunburn is not just uneasy for the short term but it can also trigger skin cancer in the long term. Take it from an Arizona lady– sun defense is 100% worth it.
Flash Floods
It doesn’t drizzle a lot in the desert by meaning … but when it rains, it frequently floods. Abrupt, heavy rains can cause flash floods in dry washes, canyons, and other low-lying locations of the desert.
A flash flood can hair individuals and vehicles, and the danger of one ought to not be ignored. Look for published signs in locations susceptible to flash flooding, and if the weather turns all of a sudden while you’re on a desert hike, vacate the area or to greater ground.
Snakes, Cacti, Oh My
Image by Dulcey Lima Desert communities have plenty of life, consisting of scorpions, venomous snakes and lizards, and large predators like mountain lions. Desert plants aren’t really friendly, either(sorry, tree huggers ). Cactus spines and prickly bushes are all foregone conclusion in the desert, so be careful what you brush up versus.
Stay on the trails in the desert to prevent undesirable encounters with native plants and animals, but don’t anticipate rattlesnakes to stay in their lane. They will cross paths or hang out beside the trail, so be on your guard.
If you’re hiking with kids, teach them to expect snakes, specifically if they like to stroll ahead.
12 Tips for Hiking in the Desert
1. Strategy Ahead
If you’re not familiar with the area, research the path(s) you prepare to trek ahead of time. This is constantly an excellent concept when hiking, however it is especially crucial in the desert.
Look trails up online, inspect the weather condition, and have a strategy before you go. Estimate how long you’ll be treking so you know what vital to pack, consisting of just how much food and water you’ll need.
2. Avoid Hiking Throughout the Hottest Part of the Day and Year
Image by Ganapathy Kumar If you have actually resided in the desert, you know that weather forecasts there are typically pretty dull and foreseeable (other than for monsoon season, and when it rains, it’s all you hear about on the news for a week). However I still advise examining the weather report before you go out for a desert hike.
Much more valuable is looking at a weather app that tells you the low and high temperatures for each hour of the day in the location. That method, you can plan to hike before or after the hottest part of the day. Peak heat hours are normally mid-day, so strategy to hit the trail early with all the locals.
Night treking is a thing for desert residents, however go with a group or not at all if you’re not acquainted with the location.
The summer months, when temperatures soar well over 100 ° F in U.S. deserts, are the riskiest time to trek. It’s brutally hot and honestly, not a lot of enjoyable. Early spring, late fall, and all winter season long are prime-time shows for desert hiking.
3. Take Advantage of Shade and Bodies of Water
When you research study tracks ahead of time, specifically if you utilize an app like AllTrails, try to find discusses of shade in the evaluations. Trails that are completely exposed will not provide you a break from the sun. Plan accordingly with extra sun protection. I’ve even seen people bring their own shade by treking with an umbrella.
If there’s a body of water along your walking, like the Virgin River in Zion National Park, seize the day to cool down by dipping your feet in, dunking your hat in the water, putting it back on, and letting the water leak over you, or dipping a spare product of clothes in and wearing it around your neck to reduce your core body temperature.
4. Use the Right Clothing
Image by Karsten Winegeart You might be tempted to wear the smallest pieces of clothes you own while treking in the desert heat, but treking shirtless with shorts or in a sports bra isn’t your finest move. Rather, pick light-weight, breathable, and moisture-wicking clothing that protects your skin from the sun’s rays (like a hiking t-shirt).
In the winter, opt for a lightweight long-sleeved t-shirt or bring layers you can put on and take off as the temperature modifications and you feel hot or cold. Don’t forget a hat and sunglasses (year-round).
Select hiking shoes or hiking boots that are breathable and light-weight. If you remain in the market, have a look at our recommendations for women’s hiking shoes and path running shoes.
5. Load Layers
Because temperature levels can vary drastically throughout a day in the desert, be prepared with additional hiking clothes in your hiking day pack.
Layering while hiking is a fantastic way to remain warm sufficient but not too warm when it starts to get chilly in the desert. The magic trio is made up of a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a waterproof and windproof outer shell.
If you’re going on a long hike that’ll take you from dawn until dusk, packing layers is specifically important to remaining comfortable.
6. Stay Hydrated
Image by Jonathan Chng Hydration is exceptionally crucial in a severe environment like the desert. A basic rule of thumb is to bring 1-2 liters of water per individual for every single two hours of treking. In hot weather, opt for more water over less. Consume water routinely while you’re treking in the desert, even if you’re not feeling thirsty. This is the very best method to stay hydrated.
You must likewise have an emergency water filter or filtration tablets as part of your emergency equipment, simply in case.
7. Stay Fueled
While this pointer isn’t distinct to desert hiking, it is especially important to renew the salts in your body as you sweat and consume a lot of water. Think about bringing salted snacks like nuts, dried fruits, and granola bars to munch on as you trek in the desert.
8. Find out to Recognize the Signs of Heat-Related illnesses
Image by Nathan Dumlao Many hikers know what it seems like to be slightly dehydrated. If you’ll be treking in the desert, though, you need to find out the signs of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke and how they progress, so you can recognize them in yourself and others.
9. Mind the Spiky Bits and Poisonous Things
Desert temperature levels aren’t the only thing that’s severe about desert environments. Here, you’ll frequently be hiking on loose rocks, surrounded by sharp plants. Carry a pair of tweezers in your first-aid set in case you need to get rid of cactus spinal columns from somebody’s skin.
Remain on designated trails, not only to lessen the result you have on the environment but also to prevent coming across snakes. Snakes are less active during cooler times of the day and year, however no matter when you’re treking, you should constantly tread carefully in rocky areas and areas covered with brush.
Rattlesnakes and Gila monsters are amongst the poisonous animals that live in the American Southwest. You’re not likely to see a Gila beast, but rattlesnake sightings are common.
Here’s what to do and what not to do if you’re bitten by a snake.
10. Trek With a Pal and Tell Somebody Where You’re Going
Image by Brandon Kaida Use the buddy system, if you can. Hiking with somebody else is a fantastic benefit for your own safety, whether you’re choosing a day trek or a backpacking trip. Always bring a completely charged GPS-enabled device like a cellular phone and, ideally, a 2nd ways of navigation and interaction too. For example, you can bring your smartphone, plus a paper map and a satellite phone or walkie-talkie for emergency situations.
Before you lose service, tell someone who’s not featuring you what you plan to do. Share your prepared hiking path and anticipated return time, then check in with them when you’re done.
11. Know Your Limitations
Lots of hikers undervalue the desert. To prevent falling under this trap, strategy to start with shorter, easier walkings and work your way approximately longer, more intense ones.
Take notice of the signals your body provides you, and– have I stated this already?– don’t forget to hydrate.
12. Leave No Trace
Image by David Sola A list of suggestions for treking in the desert would not be complete without this one: Leave No Trace. Load out what you cram in, remain on marked tracks, and leave the desert the very same or even much better than you found it.
Desert hikes are stunning, but you need to ensure you’re safe. Here are our top ideas for hiking in the desert.