The Beginner’s Guide To Desert Hiking
Hooray! Your first desert vacation is booked and on a calendar. As you begin prepping your boots and having dreams of red rocks fill your head, it’s important to start thinking about how your desert trip will differ from those of mountain trails. If unprepared, hiking in the desert can be dangerous and potentially life threatening. People die from heat stroke and dehydration every year, and most of these incidents could have been avoided with a little more preparation.
To help, we’ve narrowed down our top tips for staying safe while hiking in desert conditions. Of course, things vary by region, season, and trail, but the below tips can be used as a great “rule of thumb” during your next desert get-a-away:
Hydration & Salty Snacks Are Key
With minimal shade, soaring temperatures, and a lack of natural water, the desert is an environment that’s harsh like no other. Packing more water than you think you’ll need to crucial to staying properly hydrated and avoiding the dangers of heat stroke. In addition, bringing along replenishing drinks (like Gatorade and Propel) will help you replace everything your body is sweating out on your hike.
It’s also important to be eating salty snacks along your hike to aid in replacing your sweat. That’s right, potato chips and cookies are actually your friends while desert hiking. Pair them with protein and whole grains for long-lasting energy, and you’’ll be good to go with sustained energy throughout your hike.
Hike During “Off Times”
Hiking during the heat of the day may be tempting, but is often a dangerous mistake. Experienced desert hikers choose to hit the trail either first thing in the morning, or late in the afternoon to avoid the highest temperatures and take advantage of any shade they can. Another bonus is that trails are often less crowded at these times and (if you time it correctly) you could get a front row view at the famous desert sunrises and sunsets.
Light Colored Clothes & Sunscreen
It may sound like a no-brainer, but forgetting to apply (and re-apply) sunscreen throughout the day can lead to your desert hike becoming a miserable experience. Use a higher SPF and reapply every 1-2 hours to avoid sun burn and sun poisoning. If you start getting burned, put on a long sleeved, light colored shirt to help keep the sun off your skin for the duration of your hike.
It’s also important to avoid wearing dark colored hats and shirts. Darker colors will attract the sun and consequently make your body hotter throughout the day. Light colored tank tops, long sleeved shirts, and sun hats are essentials that should always be in your pack on a desert hike.
Know The Symptoms of Heat Stroke & Heat Exhaustion
Both heat stroke and heat exhaustion are potentially dangerous side effects of hiking in extreme temperatures. Although scary, both of these heat related illnesses can be avoided by minimizing time spent in the sun, and staying properly hydrated. If you suspect you or a hiking partner has symptoms of heat exhaustion, move to an air-conditioned or shady place as quickly as possible. Remove any tight clothing, and urge the patient to drink fluids. Cold showers and cold compresses also help to dramatically reserve symptoms. If vomiting begins and continues for an extended period, call 911. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to a heat stroke, so it’s important to take action as soon as symptoms begin.
While most victims of heat exhaustion don’t require medical attention, heat stroke is much more serious. If you suspect you or a hiking partner has symptoms of heat stroke, call 911 immediately. While waiting for medical attention, move to a cooler place and use a cold compress if available. Most importantly, DO NOT GIVE THE PATIENT FLUIDS.
Know the signs below so you can act fast if necessary:
Heat Stroke:
A core body temperature of 104 F or higher
Altered mental state or behavior
Lack of sweating
Nausea and vomiting
Flushed skin
Rapid breathing
Racing heart rate
Headache
Heat Exhaustion:
Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat
Heavy sweating
Faintness
Dizziness
Fatigue
Weak, rapid pulse
Low blood pressure upon standing
Muscle cramps
Although potentially dangerous, hiking in the desert can make you feel like you’re in another world. With proper preparation, you can have a safe and enjoyable hike in the desert, and be able to witness some of the most unique features in the world. Just remember to be smart, plan ahead, and enjoy your trip to this uniquely beautiful and awe-inspiring landscape.
