How to Safely Trek Across A Desert

In the desert, the difference between having a rewarding journey and a dangerous one is minute. Small details in the packing and planning process are essential to your well-being and can be easily overlooked.

Dress Accordingly

Deserts are obviously hot places, so for that reason, many people think dressing lightly is the key. However, shorts and a t-shirt leave parts of the body unprotected from the harsh sun leading to burns and heat exhaustion. Also, depending on the corner of the world you find yourself in, the desert may become extremely cold once the sun goes down. It may be 90 degrees during the day and 40 degrees come night. Dressing in removable, breathable, lightly colored layers is the best course of action. Perhaps the most important article of clothing is a scarf to keep wind-blown sand out of the face.

Bring The Right Equipment

For every day your party is traveling through the desert, you should bring three days’ worth of water. While a GPS is an obvious item to bring along, you might consider packing a small compass in case the battery dies. Bring a topographical map to eliminate the worry of false mountain peaks. Sunscreen and a whistle are also smart to have with you.

Plan Ahead

It may seem obvious, but you should always know exactly where you are going. Scope out your entire route in advance so you can know where all mountains, bodies of water and landmarks are. Tell multiple people your geographical coordinates and your exact return time and give each of them instructions for contacting rescue teams if you do not return by a set hour.