Desert

Wanderers
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Some see the desert for its wild beauty and open spaces, the soaring
dunes that change color with each hour of the day and the wide
spaces that appear barren, but which are covered with small plants
and intricate owers. Others consider deserts a part of their history
and heritage; adventurers like to follow the old camel caravan paths,
from water well to water well; families may see a trip to the desert
as a chance to teach their children how to survive with limited
resources.
W
hatever draws you to the desert, it is a place
to experience nature in its wild beauty and
simplicity. But in the desert simplicity doesnt
mean safe or even easy, and those who dont prepare
for a trip to the desert can quickly nd themselves in
trouble or even in life threatening situations.
Stay safe!
When to go
One of the important elements of desert traveling is
when to go. If you go to a sandy desert, traveling during
rainy seasons is ne, as the sand will be well packed.
However, if the desert is muddy, traveling at this time is
dangerous because the vehicle will sink easily and even
a rescue team will have great difculty getting to you to
provide help.
Go with a group
The best and safest way to spend time in the desert is to
go with a group of people and a number of vehicles.
Keep in touch
Another important safeguard is letting a close friend or
family member know your plans: where you plan to go
and when you plan to return. Mark your route on a map
and leave them a copy. As youre traveling, call your
contact every day or two and update them on where
you are. That way if you do experience a breakdown, it
will be quicker and easier to locate you. And remember
to call when you return home!
Pick the camping area
Ideally, start your desert trips with experienced campers.
This will give you the opportunity to gain experience
and knowledge, as well as minimize the risks. In the
desert a good camping spot can be a matter of life and
death.
In a sandy desert, try to camp beside sand dune
curves to avoid strong winds. The tent door should be
opposite the wind direction to reduce wind disturbance.
Camping beside sand dunes helps avoid lightning bolts
as they strike the highest objects around. (If you stay
where there are no sand dunes, park your vehicle at a
distance from your sleeping location so you will not be
exposed.)
In a muddy desert, avoid lowland areas and set up camp
at the top of a knoll. The desert climate is unpredictable,
and unexpected rain can quickly ood an area. Even rain
that falls far from your location can cause a ood that
will wash away your campsite in a matter of minutes,
making it impossible to even get your vehicle out in
time. When you select a knoll for your campsite, make
sure it has a clear way out to a higher and safer area.
Supplies
Pack enough food and water, plus a little extra, for the
whole trip. Extra food and water will help you survive
longer if needed. Dry and canned food or any food
that can last, including dates and dried fruits, are good
choices.
Bring enough fuel and oil for the whole trip. Carry
extra in appropriate metal containers. Plastic containers
explode or crack easily in the heat from the accumulated
vapor inside. See Suggested camping checklist at the
end of this article for a complete list of supplies.
Desert animals
Most people prefer to go to the desert when the
weather is mild or even a bit cold. Not only is the
weather more comfortable, but most dangerous animals
and insects are hibernating or in their burrows at night.
When considering desert animals, an important desert
camping technique is to avoid camping beside bushes
in rocky areas, where animals have their burrows, or
beside seasonal lakes which attract creatures looking
for food and water. More importantly, dont leave food
out near the camping areas or leave cookers and camp
stoves outside for cleaning later. Doing so will attract
wild animals to your camping area. Some campers burn
all their garbage and uneaten food before going to
sleep. While this may seem like a good way to clean up,
it actually attracts dangerous animals and insects that
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can smell the cooked food. It is safest to store the food
in a vehicle or even bury it deep in the ground.
Be considerate to camels and their herders
Most of us get a thrill from seeing the wild camels in
their natural habitat, but what many dont know is that
these animals can be easily frightened and hurt.
Stick with what you know
Shortcuts may look good on a map. They appear to
be time savers, but in the desert there is often a good
reason that the road doesnt always follow the shortest
route. Soft sand has trapped many vehicles; sabkha
looks like at open terrain, but a vehicle can break
through the thin crust and be quickly mired in marsh
water and mud. The desert has many unmarked water
wells and caves that cant be spotted from a vehicle
until too late. Regrettably, many supposedly good
shortcuts have ended in the loss of a vehicle as well as
time. It is always important to know about the desert
terrain and where you are going.
Prepare an emergency plan
Inexperienced desert travelers do not give emergency
planning enough attention and panic when things go
wrong. Improvised actions can make the situation worse
and may even lead to a loss of life. Planning for an
emergency will prepare you to respond to unexpected
situations, how to ask for help and how to survive until
help arrives.
Make sure your vehicle is in top condition
Having your vehicle in good condition increases
its reliability for off-road trips. A full service of the
mechanical and electrical parts of your vehicle, such
as battery, tires (including the spare), radiator, rotating
belts, hoses and uids, will reduce the chance of
unexpected failures.
Take the right tools
Having the right tools, such as a shovel, towing belt,
tool box, spare battery, car generator, jumper cables
and fuel pump will help if something goes wrong with
your vehicle. Also consider where you will be using the
tools and make adjustments. For example, using a jack
on the road works well, but it will just sink into the sand
without support, so bring a strong piece of wood to put
under the jack and wherever possible carry two jacks
with you.
Carry communication equipment
Communication equipment is very important on desert
trips. Mobile phones are useful near villages or areas
where service coverage is available, but they may not
have service in more remote areas. Radios allow you to
communicate with nomads or with ofcial authorities
and nearby workers. Satellite phones are best as they
give you full access to help in case of emergencies.
Remember to bring spare batteries, charger cables and
antennas for radios and phones.
Never leave the vehicle
It can be tempting to try to walk out of the desert if
theres a problem, but distances can be deceptive and
walking through sand in the heat can wear you out
much faster than walking a similar distance anywhere
else. Adding to the difculty is the fact that even
before you start walking, you are likely to be tired from
attempts to x or free the vehicle and the overall stress
of the situation.
The safest option is to stay with the vehicle. Why?
Because the vehicle is large, it is easier for searchers
to spot. The vehicle also provides you with shade and
shelter. During the heat of the day, dig a trench under
the vehicle and stay there in the shade. Do not be
tempted to drink the radiator uid in a vehicle, as most
radiator uid contains high amounts of ethylene glycol
which is poisonous.
A place like no other
Although the desert appears empty, those who spend
time in the desert nd that it is full of life and beauty.
A trip to the desert can bring a family closer together
as they rediscover the joy of living simply with
nature.
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Item
Sleeping
sleeping bag
cotton sheets
blankets
sleeping pad
pillow
tent
big tent
nightwear
Cooking and food preparation
cooler
ice
gas stove/extra fuel
screen to shield the cooking
stove from the wind
matches
covered pot
kettle
BBQ grill
charcoal
lighter fuid
lighter
tongs
aluminum foil
oven mitt
cutting board
bread knife
paring knife
Eating
plate
mug
bowl
knife, fork, spoon
table
chair
seating pad
tea
coffee
hot chocolate
sweetener
milk
cream
can opener
lemon
salt & pepper
ketchup/mustard/pickles
butter
Emergency food and water
(enough for three days)
canned or dry food
dates, dried fruits, nuts
water (approximately 4 liters
per day per person) plus
a 3-day extra supply for
emergencies
Campre and rewood
shovel
frewood
saw
hatchet
axe
matches
Cleanup
washbasin
personal soap
dish soap
towel
tea towel
scrub brush
scour pad
washup cloth
small packets of tissues
small packet baby wipes
antibacterial liquid soap
trash bag
Clothing
warm jacket
warm hat
sun hat
clothes for each day of the trip
Medical and miscellaneous
fashlight/headlight
glow sticks (particularly helpful
to put on children so you can
see where they are at night)
medications
toothbrush/paste/foss
toilet paper
frst aid kit
sunscreen
insect bite cream
hair brush/comb
contact lens gear
sunglasses
insect repellent
lip balm
pen/paper
camera
extra batteries
satellite phone, radio, cell
phone
charger cables
antennas for radios and
satellite phones
GPS
compass
nylon and/or rope
pocket or swiss army knife
Suggested camping
checklist
Other
If you are going in high dunes you might want a sand sled.
If youre going bird watching you may want binoculars, cameras and eld guides.
If you are planning to do some hiking side trips, take a day pack or backpack, dried food and water bottles