Four Desert Hiking Mistakes (and how to avoid them) – Arizona Hikers Guide Four Desert Hiking Mistakes (and how to avoid them) – Arizona Hikers Guide

by Cameron Jarman on May 8, 2015

Summer is coming. The temperatures are climbing and so are heat exhaustion, dehydration, heat stroke, and deaths in the desert.  Every year I see dozens of stories relating to sun exposure that leads to injury or death and many of the victims are novice hikers who make easily avoidable mistakes.  After seeing this for years of hiking in the desert, I have come up with the four desert hiking mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Not Bringing Enough Water

I just read an article the other day of a rescue on Camelback Mountain because a girl admitted to not bringing enough water and suffered from heat exhaustion.  Thank goodness she was okay but I am sure mom and dad are going to be less than happy when they receive the helicopter rescue bill in the mail!

How much is enough?

Although there is no magic formula to assess every person’s water intake needs, there are a couple good rules of thumb.  Here is a system that I use at almost any time of year.

  • Drink water every 20 minutes whether you are thirsty or not
  • I drink about a half a liter every hour
  • I use this formula to calculate how much water I will need based on how long the hike will take
    • Example: If I am going on a 4 hour hike I will take 2 liters of water which is about right for the trip.

If I am going out for longer than 4 hours I will try and find a reliable water source where I can fill up.  Although water typically is the heaviest item I carry, I never skimp on it.  Here is the rule of 3 taught to me by The Hiking Dude;

Rule of 3:

  • You can live 3 minutes without air.
  • You can live 3 days without water.
  • You can live 3 weeks without food.

If you run out of water in the desert, however, you probably have about a day at best to figure something out.

2. Wearing The Wrong Clothes

Have you ever been hiking a popular hiking trail and come across somebody wearing cowboy boots, a tank top, and denim jeans in the middle of summer?  I have and although I chuckled at the time, wearing the wrong clothing can be a serious matter.

Here are my rules for clothing;

  1. No denim… ever
  2. Limit how much cotton you wear.  Many people don’t even think about what fabric their clothes are made from but when hiking in the desert it can mean the difference between a pleasant hike and a miserable one.  Cotton soaks up moisture and keeps it close to the skin which can cause all kinds of unpleasant nastiness.  Ever heard of SWASS?
  3. Don’t wear sandals.  You aren’t cooler or tougher or closer to Mother Earth if you wear sandals hiking.  The desert is filled with spiky things and your feet need to be protected. Full Disclosure: I hopped on (and quickly off) the hiking sandal fad.
  4. Wear a hat…always
  5. Think in layers.  Depending on the weather, start with a base layer and add layers from there.
  6. Sunscreen and face stick.  Use them.

There are typically two options when you go hiking in the hot desert sun

  1. Take clothes off
  2. Cover up

Take Clothes Off

I only recommend this type of clothing style for short hikes when the temperatures are under 90 degrees.  If you wear this in summer (like many do) you may pay the price with a sunburn, heat exhaustion, or worse.

  • A wide brimmed hat
  • Shirtless for dudes, sports bra for girls
  • Shorts (not denim)
  • Running shoes and socks
  • Umbrella (optional)

Cover Up

I recommend this for longer hikes and trails that have a lot of exposure to the elements.

  • Wide brimmed hat
  • Long sleeved shirt that wicks away sweat (not cotton)
  • Long pants (I wear convertible pants if it gets too hot)
  • Mid-length socks (not cotton)
  • Hiking shoes or boots
  • Bandana for shading neck

By sticking to these options and using my clothing rules can keep a pleasant hike from turning into a nightmare.

3. Choosing The Wrong Hike

Hiking in the desert can be a brutal experience if you choose a hike that doesn’t align with your physical abilities and outdoor skills. I always tell people that the desert is an extreme environment and is very unpredictable. There are few things worse than choosing a hike that you are not physically or mentally prepared to finish.  That kind of mistake can leave you lost, stranded, or worse.  Stick to these tips and finding the right hike should be a breeze.

  1. When choosing a hike, look at the trail descriptions for a difficulty scale.  These can be found on this site at the top of every trail description under Difficulty.  Usually the hike will be scaled from 1-5 or Easy, Moderate, or Difficult.  Match up the description with your level of ability.  Can you scramble over large boulders?  Can you hike 10 miles in one day?  Are you fit enough to gain that much elevation?  These are all questions you should ask yourself before choosing a hike.
  2. Check your outdoor knowledge.  Not all hikes are a nice, easy stroll on a well worn and wide path.  Many trails require route finding skills and the ability to recognize landmarks.  Map reading and compass skills may be a necessary skill for certain hikes.  Some trails may require river crossings, scrambling, climbing, or finding a connecting trail.  Read as much information about the trail you choose and make sure you have the proper skills required for the hike.

4. Hiking At The Wrong Time

This one should be a no-brainer.  When temperatures start climbing in the summer months, it is important to start your hike at the appropriate time.  I recommend starting a hike as early as possible and even bringing a headlamp to start hiking in the early morning darkness.  You never want to be caught hiking during the hottest times of the day which in my opinion is any time after around 1 p.m.  in the summer months.  Also, check the weather before you start.  I remember several years ago hiking above the treeline on Mt. Baldy when a nasty thunderstorm rolled in.  We literally began running for cover and were nearly struck by lightning.  It was one of the more terrifying experiences I’ve had while hiking.  I didn’t check the weather ahead of time and could have planned my route and start time accordingly to avoid the storm completely.

To summarize, hiking in the southwest is one of the most rewarding and challenging things a person can do.  As long as you bring enough water, wear the right clothing, choose the right hike for your ability, and go at the right time, your experiences in the desert can be filled with good memories.

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