Hiking Gear for Western Mexico

Essential Equipment for Hiking near Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico

Feb 18, 2009

Well Equipped Hiker in Western Mexico, John Pint

The wide diversity of climate and terrain in western Mexico obliges hikers in this area to carry equipment whose purpose may not be self-evident.

Western Mexico refers to any site located less than 200 kilometers from Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city. Western Mexico is about the size of Kansas, and is blessed with high mountains, deep canyons, volcanoes live and dormant, tropical jungles, lakes, rivers, hot springs and glorious beaches.

When a hiker heads for the great outdoors in Western Mexico, he or she is liable to run into anything.

List of Equipment for Hiking in Western Mexico

Here is a list of items inevitably carried by hikers with over twenty years of experience on and off the trails of this marvelously diversified area.

General Purpose Hiking Gear

Water in a sturdy canteen. A plastic soft-drink bottle makes a good substitute: they are practically indestructible.
Sombrero, cap or hat.
Comfortable hiking shoes.
GPS. If you use it for nothing else, at least mark the location of your car or starting point. A high-sensitivity GPS gets better reception in deep canyons and thick forests.
Compass. Even a very simple one can be a life saver if you get disoriented in one of those thick forests mentioned above.
First Aid Kit. Contents: gauze, adhesive bandages, antiseptic, adhesive tape.

Useful Equipment for Surviving a Bee Attack

Bee Veil. Africanized bees are a serious threat in rural Mexico. A simple bee veil can be made from tul (wedding veil material) which is widely available in Mexican markets.
Avapena. This is for scorpion and bee stings and is available at all Mexican pharmacies. It’s an antihistamine which offers only temporary relief, so—in severe cases—it is vital to follow the directions on the box: take one and head for the nearest hospital.
Long-sleeved wind-breaker or jacket. Helps protect upper body in an attack by Africanized bees. Protects arms in areas full of thorns or irritating plants. Provides warmth in an emergency. Jacket color: avoid black or yellow, which can provoke bees.
Gloves. The garden variety will do. These are helpful for bee attacks and essential for those short cuts that take you through areas with thorns, cacti and common irritating plants found in western Mexico, such as mala mujer (Cnidoscolus angustidens: Devil Nettle) and dominguilla (Croton Ciliatoglanduliferus: Spurge).
Suction pump ( Extractor). Sucks out snake, scorpion, bee and wasp venom. It also works well on mosquito bites. Available from camping stores.

Other Useful Items for the Trails of West Mexico

Swiss Army knife.
Matchbook in a baggie.
Walking Stick They are especially handy on slippery down-slopes and when jumping from rock to rock to cross rivers.
Fifteen meters of one-inch nylon tubular webbing. This is strong, lightweight and easy to grasp. In Mexico ask for “nylon tubular” at mountaineering stores like Vertimania.
Small LED headlamp.In case nightfall catches you unawares. Also handy if you happen to come upon a cave.
Bug repellent. Useful for keeping jejenes (gnats) at bay. Use on ankles, waist and upper arms to discourage aradores (Sarcoptes scabiei: scab mites), especially in the late rainy season. Try to find unscented repellent. Note that a citrus scent can be lethal, as it infuriates Africanized bees.
Spare batteries. For GPS and headlamp.
Whistle. In case of a real emergency.
Rain Poncho. During the rainy season, hikers need a poncho that’s really waterproof. Forget the kind made of nylon sprayed with a waterproofing agent and invest in a real rubberized poncho that won’t get shredded by Mexican maleza (underbrush) and will stay waterproof for its lifetime.

Western Mexico has characteristics different from the USA, Canada and Europe. Visiting and local hikers who set out with the right gear will return home safe, sound and happy.

The copyright of the article Hiking Gear for Western Mexico in Backpacking Gear is owned by John Pint. Permission to republish Hiking Gear for Western Mexico in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.