Desert Excursions Require Careful Preparation
Even Winter Hiking Can be Perilous for the Unprepared
Mar 30, 2009
Thousands of people flock to Arizona and similar climates throughout the winter months when it's cold further north. The desert provides a number of fun and exciting activities, from four wheeling, hiking, gold mining, horseback riding and camping. But many adventurers forget that even in the winter when the temperatures are cooler, conditions can still be harsh.
Provisioning for Winter Desert Hiking
The biggest mistake people make when venturing into the desert is in neglecting to take enough water for their outing. Because the temperature may be moderate and comfortable, does not mean that the need for water diminishes. Desert air is dry which makes dehydration a very common and dangerous problem. Always take an extra bottle of water along, and absolutely carry adequate water for any pets that go also.
Nights in the desert can be cold, so it’s essential that one carry a fleece or something similar to help preserve warmth should one become lost or return to the trailhead or campsite later than expected. A small headlamp is also a good item to take along for this very reason. Trails are often narrow and bordered by thorny brush. It’s easier to avoid these prickly bushes if one can adequately see them.
No matter how lovely the weather, wear long pants and good, sturdy hiking boots. Pants will help protect legs from cactus barbs and will also help protect against potential scorpion stings and even snake bites. Although snakes usually hibernate in the winter months, warm afternoons can bring out the cranky serpents.
Even if one is only planning a short afternoon excursion, be sure to carry some food. Nuts, health bars, oranges and things of this nature stow well in backpacks and provide adequate nutrition to sustain one for a brief time should one become lost or delayed.
Emergency Equipment for Desert Hikes
Learn to use a GPS. At the very least mark the trailhead or the location of the car/camp. Stay on trails and don’t wander into brush. Arizona has many exposed mines, or mines that are covered with now rotting boards. A fall into one of these deep holes is usually fatal.
Take a small first aid kit on any outing. Make sure that there is a pair of pliers or tweezers available to pull thorns out of clothing and skin. Dogs on the trail regularly step on cholla and other loose, sharp barbs and require treatment. Even in the winter months, sunglasses, sunblock and a hat are good items to use.
A cell phone is a great aid if one is lost. Most desert locations will be accessible by cell phone, although extremely remote areas may not be.
Use Caution and Common Sense in the Desert
Be wary when entering caves or old mining claims. Snakes may hibernate in these warm, moist environments, and the timbers supporting the roofs and walls may be over a century old. Often there are huge, exposed pits in the dark tunnels of these mines.
Avoid any wild animals that may approach. Rabies is a very real possibility. In remote areas, if a dog is allowed to run loose on the trail, be certain the animal is current on its rabies and snake bite vaccines. Also, check the animal closely after outings to make certain that small, bark scorpions have not hitched a ride on the dog’s fur.
Despite all these precautionary measures, the desert is a beautiful place to visit where most people never experience any dangerous encounters or conditions. Don’t be careless or overly confident, however, about hiking and traveling in this environment.
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