Camping in the low desert in summer... by choice. Any tricks to make this possible?

BRL

BRL

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Apr 27, 2011
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Was idly running ideas through my head today about good places to get away, and it occurred to me that since I live in Phoenix and we're at 100+ now there won't be many people out in the low desert camping on the weekends. Which then got me thinking about why that might be...

I can't for the life of me think of any way to make something like that bearable. I can deal with the heat when I'm hiking, but if I was hanging out then I can't picture it. Maybe carcamping, and bringing enough water to regularly douse yourself? Obviously there would need to be sufficient shade...

Anyone know of any special tricks that desert rats have developed over the years?
 
Not to be a smart azz but find shade bring water and have fun. I camp that way allmost every friday.
 
Realize that every desert critter will be seeking shade (and H20) as well as you. Leave snakes, gila monsters, etc. alone. Take a comb to brush off cactus spines, and stay away from jumping cholla. Carry a small mirror. Take a UV flashlight for night-time scorpion spotting. Don't run out of gas. Wear close toe shoes, preferably boots. Wear your hat. Never trust a coyote. Saguaro fruit tastes like candy when ripe, which it soon will be. If you drive off-road, be prepared for flats. And for goodness sake.., carry a stout knife!
 
Be as hydrated as possible to start with, and try to stay that way. Avoid diuretics, you need that extra moisture in your body, not getting pissed away.
Keeping your clothes wet works very well, or at least your neck and head. It's always worked for me, in New Mexico. Common sense will tell you to take it easy during the peak heat, and do your work during the morning and evening.
I always hiked in boots, but chose to hang out in Chaco sandles. Sure, I was risking some injury or a bite, but I was always careful, and I find staying cool is sometimes part of survival.
 
Water, water, water!!!! Let someone responsable know your plan and stick to it! have a call in time for check ins, carry a e-tool and a double layer shelter, could be two ponchos, seek shade as much as you can, I love the desert and wish I was still in one.
 
I have only camped in the desert during the summer once or twice. So your experience may vary, but this was mine.

It will still be hot when you sleep, too hot for a sleeping bag or tent for me at least. And at night the bugs tend to come out. Which means I hope you don't mind bugs because they will be crawling all over you all night long.

When I backpacked through southern Utah in June I was miserable because there was no real way to cool down. I like it cold when I sleep but it was still 80 degrees all through the night. Which meant I didn't sleep, and it only got worse as the day went on. I don't think I would try it again.
 
offroadcmpr said:
It will still be hot when you sleep, too hot for a sleeping bag or tent for me at least. And at night the bugs tend to come out. Which means I hope you don't mind bugs because they will be crawling all over you all night long.
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We did several backpacking trips in central Texas. It wasn't as extreme as some locations in AZ or Utah, but temps easily hit triple digits. We did have a few trees...hammocks made life comfortable at night and even lounging during the day was possible. There was a nice little creek where we collected water...so that helped to cool off. We also did a lot of rock climbing, bouldering and exploring during the day. Stay hydrated, keep your clothes as wet as possible and enjoy! When you start getting fatigued, water, shade and rest...We loved it! If anybody is in central Texas...take a trip and do a little backpacking around Enchanted Rock...absolutely beautiful.

I think the other aspect to mention is acclimation. You need a day or two in the environment to adapt; just going outside for the day from a nice AC-cooled home is not going to work too well.

ROCK6
 
Hydrate big time. Water water water.
Loose, light-colored clothing.
Don't get sunburned.
Shade, shade, shade. Peak heat mid-day, shade and rest.
Water water water.

I spent alot of time in Joshua Tree(Stumps) area. Beautiful.
 
I've spent more than a few trips "camping" in the desert.

Take, and eat, lots of food and water. Plan on 2 gallons per person per day. Eat plenty of salty trail mix, it's better to eat throughout the day than to eat 3 squares.

Wear loose fitting, breathable fabrics that cover every inch of skin. Anything not covered by clothing lather in copious amounts of high SPF sweat resistant sun screen.

Drink water constantly.

Drink more water

Drink an electrolyte mix that's 1/3 mix 2/3 water about 1-5 times daily depending on how you feel.

Headaches are a sure sign of dehydration and trouble. if you get a headache, STOP. rest in shade, wet your clothing, EAT. and drink water. Once you start feeling better, eat some more and drink a lot more water.

Drink water

DO NOT GO ALONE

Tell at least 3 people your plan. Then tell the park rangers your plan

Enjoy the rugged beauty of the desert
 
Make sure that you're drinking enough that you're peeing clear. I went for a bit of a wander once, up in our Flinders Ranges, while it was about 43 degrees. Unfortunately, that was in the shade, and there weren't many trees. When I got to camp, I started putting away water as fast as I could filter it. I wasn't able to pass water until about 2200 that night. I learnt my lesson...:o
 
gruntinhusaybah said:
I've spent more than a few trips "camping" in the desert.
Take, and eat, lots of food and water. Plan on 2 gallons per person per day. Eat plenty of salty trail mix, it's better to eat throughout the day than to eat 3 squares.
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Good advice from experience. I've spent enough time in some serious deserts and eating is almost as drinking water...you really have to keep your electrolyte level up and food is essential to keep you hydration balance.

ROCK6
 
rock6, absolutely right for a camping trip.

you find yourself lost in the desert or in a desert survival situation, don't touch food unless you have a ton of water on hand. Digestion sucks water from your system and you can survive about 30-50 days without food. Get dehydrated and you'll be lucky to make it through a day
 
Heh, all this started because I was thinking about just driving out into the desert one day after work, setting up, and seeing how it went and now we're talking surviving 30days without food :)
 
I used to visit Anza Borrego and parts of Aridzona in summer. I followed all the good advice about drinking plenty and wearing moist clothing. As I got older I found that I also need to do everything at about half speed when it hits 110 or better. Take it EASY.

DancesWithKnives
 
gruntinhusaybah said:
I've spent more than a few trips "camping" in the desert.

Take, and eat, lots of food and water. Plan on 2 gallons per person per day. Eat plenty of salty trail mix, it's better to eat throughout the day than to eat 3 squares.

Drink water constantly.

Drink more water
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You give very good advice, but your water QTY is insufficient and can get people killed in the desert if they don't plan enough. The correct water consumption level for being out in 90 degree+ weather is 1 Qt/hour (but maxed to 3 gallons/day to prevent water intoxication). That's a lot of water, but under extreme heat exposure, that is the correct minimum to have on-hand when active in the sun.

I've been out in AZ in summer and it is a harsh & horrible to be without cover & AC. I don't think you'll enjoy doing it unless you have a specific reason for being there.
 
I was stationed in 29 Palms for my enlistment. Acclimitization really helps. If you go from spending most of your day indoors with A/C to the desert of course you're going to be miserable. If you're already spending a good amount of each day out in the heat sweating through your daily routine it isn't so bad. Add woodland utilities and body armor to the 100+ degree equation...it sucked but we survived.
 
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