Bruce Grubbs - Desert Hiking Tips: Expert Advice on Desert Hiking and Driving

Bruce Grubbs has a serious problemhe doesnt know what he wants to do when he grows up. Meanwhile, hes done such things as wildland firefighting, running a mountain shop, flying airplanes, shooting photos, and writing books. Hes a backcountry skier, climber, figure skater, mountain biker, amateur radio operator, river runner, and sea kayakerbut the thing that really floats his boat is hiking and backpacking. No matter what else he tries, Bruce always come back to hiking, especially long, rough, cross-country trips in places like the Grand Canyon. Some people never learn. But what little he has learned, hes willing to share with youvia his books, of course, but also his websites, blogs, and whatever works. His website is BruceGrubbs.com.

During more than 30 years of desert hiking, many people have shared their ideas and techniques with me. Most will have to remain unnamed, but I want to single out a few. At the top of the list is Bill Sewrey, who was a mentor and an inspiration to an entire generation of Arizona hikers. I especially wish to thank Jean Rukkila for an excellent job of proofreading and for her many suggestions and tips. Many thanks to Russ Schneider, my editor on the first edition, and John Burbidge and Emily Chiarelli, my editors on the second edition, for working with me to make the second edition into a better book. And thanks to all the fine folks at Falcon Publishing. And finally, heartfelt thanks to Duart Martin for encouraging and supporting this project every step of the way.

After this final section on desert hazards, you may be getting the idea that the desert is an unfriendly place to hike. Nothing could be further from the truth. With some knowledge and a few precautions, the desert is an inviting place to explore. After you have some experience, you may find that the desert is as addicting in its own way as the mountains and forests.

The equipment for desert hiking differs somewhat from that needed for trips in well-watered country. This chapter presents a few suggestions; theres more information in the following chapters on technique. You can use the following gear checklist as a reminder of items to take, both in your pack and your vehicle, though you wont need every item on every trip. Theres more information on specific items after the checklist.

water

sun hat

sunscreen

sunglasses

extra clothing

lighter (fire starting)

knife

LED headlamp or flashlight

extra food

map

compass

first-aid and repair kit

insect repellent

water filter system

purification tablets

plastic water bottles

collapsible containers

lightweight boots

socks

water shoes

walking stick or trekking poles

long-sleeved shirt

long pants or convertible pants

shorts

down or fleece jacket

rain gear

lightweight synthetic underwear

food

cooking gear

day pack or fanny pack

multiday pack

rain cover

tarp or net tent

groundsheet

foam sleeping pad

sleeping bag

spare tire

lug wrench

jack

jumper cables

extra oil

extra drinking/radiator water

sand mats (old pieces of carpet)

tow rope or chain

Water is always the most important and heaviest single item in your pack. A sun hat with an effective brim is essential for keeping your head cool and avoiding heat-related health problems. A pair of good sunglasses is nearly essential in the intense desert light of spring and summer.

The hot desert sun will burn your skin quickly, even if you already have a tan. Use a sun lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15; SPF 30 is better. Very high SPFs are a waste of money. According to dermatologists, mineral-based sunscreens are bestthese contain titanium and zinc oxides, which physically block the suns damaging rays. Look for micro-fine sunscreensthese rub into the skin more effectively than older formulas, and dont leave a white residue on your skin.

You might be surprised to learn that cold can be a problem in the desert. After dark, temperatures fall rapidly, even in summer, because of the clear, dry air. Since the best seasons for desert hiking are fall, winter, and spring, cold can be even more of a factor. Bring an extra layer of clothing, such as a fleece jacket or a shell. Always carry some means of starting a fire.

TIP

Disposable cigarette lighters are very light and provide a sustained flame, which helps starting a fire when tinder and wood are damp. I prefer to bring at least two along.

A knife is essential for preparing kindling from wet desert wood in an emergency and has many other uses as well. A Swiss Army Knife or small multi-tool containing small scissors as well as other tools is the most useful.

Carry an LED headlamp or flashlight for use around camp and for hiking in the dark if you are delayed.

LED lights never burn out and their batteries last much longer than incandescent lights. The best batteries are AAA- or AA-size disposable lithium. Lithium batteries work better in temperature extremes and are lighter than other batteries. If your headlamp uses rechargeable batteries, make sure you can replace them in the field, either with a charged battery, or fresh disposable batteries.

Always have some extra food along, such as energy bars, even on the shortest hikes, in case youre delayed or decide to extend the hike. You should carry a good printed map of your planned hiking area.

Always have a compass along. Buy a good-quality, liquid-filled compass. You dont need a fancy model with sighting mirrors and all the extra features for general desert travel, unless you will be triangulating. Always get a compass that is reliable. Your compass may languish in the bottom of your pack for years, but when you do need it, youll need it badly.

You may find a GPS receiver or a phone with a backcountry mapping app to be useful, but dont use them without a paper map and a compass. All electronic devices can fail, and the batteries will eventually die.

Carry a first-aid and repair kit appropriate to the length of the trip and the number of people in the hiking partyand know how to use it.

Buy a first-aid kit specific to the outdoors and the size of your party.

Include a good signal mirror in your first-aid kit. In sunny weather, a mirror flash can easily be seen dozens of miles away and lets searchers pinpoint your location.

Get a signal mirror with a sighting grid, which makes the mirror more accurate and easier to use. Glass mirrors produce a far brighter flash than metal or plastic mirrors, but a small glass mirror works as well as a large one.

Avoid cheap sunglasses. Most are made of plastic and dont protect your eyes from damaging ultra-violet light. In fact, they can be worse than no sunglasses at all. Your pupils open up in response to the decreased visible light and admit more ultraviolet light than they would without sunglasses. The manufacturers of good sunglasses not only make optically correct lenses but also specify the amount of ultraviolet, infrared, and visible light transmitted.

Water is always the most important and heaviest single item in your pack. Desert hiking centers on watera person doing strenuous hiking in hot weather may need as much as 2 gallons per day to avoid dehydration. And water is heavy8.3 pounds per gallon. The availability of water sources usually controls your trip itinerary. On day hikes you can carry all the water you need, although it can still be quite a load in hot weather.