If you are setting off to the desert for a hike, then you’ll need to bring along crucial desert hiking essentials. Hiking in the desert is a different ball game altogether. You can’t compare it to hiking in the mountains or picnic sites. Deserts are unique and their weather conditions are extreme.
Desert hiking is among the most challenging expeditions a guru hiker can embark on. The landscapes are incredible and hikers feel like they are on a different planet.
The beauty of hiking in the desert is the surety that you won’t get bored even a single second. Not with so many new things to see in almost every corner.
Well, before you organize for your first desert hike, please note that desert hiking is not for inexperienced hikers or the faint-hearted. Apart from the adventures, desert hiking comes with a dozen of hidden risks. And, if you are not well prepared, you are going to be overwhelmed by the dangers out there. For your safety, never consider desert hiking if you aren’t prepared for flash floods, strong winds, dangerous storms and exhausting heat waves.
That’s why it’s extremely important to know what you’ll need to carry for your dessert hike. Some of these essentials can be a lifesaver. Besides, you aren’t going there as a form of punishment. You are going there to have fun, experience something unique and most importantly create lifetime memories. This can’t happen if you are not fully equipped for desert hiking.
Your desert hike packing list
Before you head out to the desert, make sure you bring along these items. Many expert hikers who have been into desert hiking for years swear by them.
Water
This is actually a no-brainer when it comes to any form of hiking. If there is one item you can’t do without while hiking in the desert is water and more water. You will need plenty of it to keep you well hydrated. Experts recommend two to six quarts for each hiker every day. An additional gallon is also very important just in case you need more water or you happen to get lost and take longer to arrive at your planned destination. Don’t count a river or a spring as a source of your water. Doing so can be very risky because in the desert, rivers and springs dry up often. The only place you are guaranteed to get water is your hiking bag. Thus, pack more than you think you’ll need for the day. Going back home with water is nothing but running out of water in the desert is lethal.
Food
You are heading to the desert and if getting water there is a problem, then be pretty sure even getting food is a problem as well. If you are not ready to die out of starvation in the desert, then carry extra food. Depending on the duration you intend to spend in the desert, ensure you pack extra food. They can be a lifesaver if you take longer than planned. Ensure you pack healthy nutritious snacks. You’ll need all the energy you can get if your hike is going to be fun.
Sun protection gear
Remember you will be exposed to the hot sun throughout your hike. To protect your skin from the unforgiving sun, be sure to pack these essentials:
1. A wide hat
A baseball cap or visor is not for desert hiking. Maybe you can just bring them to take pictures with but don’t think they will protect you from the scorching sun. A wide or a brimmed hat is good because it will provide shade on your face, neck and shoulder area. The wider it is the more protection you’ll get.
2. Quality sunglasses
Your eyes play a very important role in your life and for sure you wouldn’t imagine a day without them. Therefore, ensure you’ve invested in good-quality sunglasses before planning your desert hike. A pair of great sunglasses will protect your eyes and make your hike in the desert comfortable.
3. Sunscreen
To protect your skin from severe sunburns, or in a worse scenario skin cancer, you’ll need a very high SPF sunscreen. You can start with SPF 30 and work your way up depending on your skin type. Bring a big bottle so that you have enough to keep reapplying on your skin at least after every 2 hours.
Clothing
You just can’t dress the way you feel like when hiking in the desert. The weather there is extremely tough and you’ll need to dress for the weather for you to be comfortable. The most vouched for fabric is cotton. Oh, wait a minute… any outdoor lover will tell you that cotton is the worst material for hiking because it doesn’t dry quickly if it gets wet and it’s a bad insulator.
Although this is true, in the desert, the same traits can be very beneficial to you. When you sweat, that moisture will keep you cool when the environment is very hot. However, if you are planning to spend the night in the desert, it is important to have a change of clothes. The cooling effect you will be enjoying during the day when it’s hot will be the last thing you want to feel when it gets cold at night. Also, wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants to protect your skin from the sun.
First aid kit
A first aid kit is a must when hiking in the desert. Whether you are going to purchase a premade or make your own, the important thing is to have it and know how to use it in case of an accident. If you can, learn a few first aid lifesaving techniques.
Maps and compasses
Getting lost in the desert is not funny and it can happen pretty quickly. And, imagine you can only enjoy exploring the desert if you are sure you will go back home when you are done? There is nothing to smile about if you are wandering in the desert not because you are enjoying the adventures but because you are lost.
Although your smartphone or GPS can be useful, do not rely on them solely. These are gadgets that can easily get ruined in the desert or run out of power. Thus, bring along a basic map and a compass. These are two items that will never fail you. Furthermore, don’t wait until you get lost to learn how to use a map and a compass. You should know how to use them beforehand if they are going to be of help to you if you get lost in the desert.
The takeaway
Let no one discourage you that desert hiking is tough. As long as you’ve equipped yourself with the right gear, you can enjoy your hike to the fullest. It is only in the desert you will get an opportunity to deep your feet in the sand, explore the dramatic landscapes as well as unique wildlife such as charming animals and flowering cacti. So, if you have been hiking in the mountains, it’s time you try something though challenging but very rewarding.
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