As it gets colder, the season for desert traveling approaches and we can see the shifting sands, the salt lakes and the stunning desert sky. If you want to travel to desert and experience a breath taking journey, there are some points you should know in order to have a safe and joyful journey. What you need to carry with yourself, things you should and should not do and other valuable information that will come in handy during your trip. stay with us, Persiatus will teach you how to be a professional desert explorer.
Water: the most basic and essential point is water. When you are traveling in the desert your body requires 4 liters of water per day so make sure you always have enough water with you. If you don’t have a lot of water on you, you’ll have to save water. try to drink as little as you can, just enough for the body to keep working properly. The best way for the body to save water is to cover the head completely.
Clothing: another important factor is your cloth. Try to take cloth without pockets and seams with you otherwise you will find sand in your closet long after you return home. In deserts temperature drop at night is massive so be sure to pack suitable cloth to keep yourself warm during the cold nights of desert. Evan if it is going to be a single day journey, you have to be prepared because you might have to spend the night in the desert due to an unexpected issue.
Backpack: depending on the duration of your journey, you need a backpack in order to carry the items you need most. If you ran out of space, try to roll your cloth so that they would consume less space.
Compass, map or GPS: even if you know your destination like the back of your hand, getting lost in the desert is so easy. So we urge you to carry these items with you at all times.
Food and snacks: walking in sand, hot and dry desert weather and spending energy in desert will make you very tired. So you’ll have to carry nutritious foods to have enough energy. Snacks are also very important, they’ll keep you up and running and are easy to carry around.
Scarf and goggles: you’ve definitely heard about sand storms or perhaps you’ve seen one for yourself. The best way to protect yourself against these massive storms is finding a shelter but if you are on open ground cover your entire head with your scarf and use your goggles to protect your eyes.
Sleeping bag, tent and flashlight: if you are planning to sleep in a desert, don’t do it without this equipment. Set up your tent and make sure there is no entry point for insects, scorpions or snakes. Get into your sleeping bag. Desert nights are extremely cold.
First aid kit: an extremely necessary equipment for desert traveling is first aid kit. Do a little bit of research about your destination and pack a couple of antidotes for snake or scorpion bites. Painkillers will come in very handy, as does alcohol in case of external injury. Band aids, roll bandages, anti-nausea medicine and anti-allergic drugs are also needed.
Hat and sunscreen: unlike what you think sunburn in deserts can be quiet painful and annoying and the dry weather doesn’t help at all. The best way of avoiding this unpleasant issue is using a strong sunscreen and a proper hat to block sunlight.
Walk slowly: there is an absolute law in desert, if you don’t walk slow you won’t be able to walk at all. Walking fast takes your energy, increases your heart rate and your breathing and as a result of that you’ll sweat more and your body loses more water and energy. Walking slow on the other hand gives your body time to regenerate its energy, keeps you from losing water and you won’t get tired. As a result of that you will be able to explore further without facing any obstacles.
Tell people where you are going: one of the most important things you should do before traveling to desert, is telling trustworthy people the exact location of your journey and the time you are going to come back so that if anything happened to you they could arrange a search party.
Watch out for animals: deserts are full of dangerous animals, reptiles and insects. They usually won’t attack you unless they feel threatened but The best way to avoid an unpleasant meeting with them is doing a quick research on the local wild life of your destination. That way you know what to do when you cross paths with a specific type of snake.
Rest as much as you can: another important factor is resting. You have to make a schedule and take some time every couple of hours in order to recover the lost energy.
