Mountain climbing within the desert is a good way to see and expertise unimaginable landscapes, geology, crops, and even wildlife. However guests to arid climates have to pack the best desert mountain climbing garments and kit to remain snug and protected in excessive temperatures – cold and hot!
I’ve spent quite a lot of time mountain climbing across the deserts of the Southwest and with the best gear, clothes, solar safety, and hydration, you’ll be well-prepared for a tremendous desert journey, too. On this weblog submit, I share my prime solutions for all of this and extra whether or not you’re visiting Southern Utah’s Nationwide Parks, Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, Dying Valley Nationwide Park, or one other superb desert vacation spot.
Necessary Reminder: Because it goes in all the locations we share, please apply good path etiquette and keep in mind to Depart No Hint. This implies packing out your whole rubbish (together with rest room paper) and following the established guidelines. Within the desert, this additionally means studying the best way to shield cryptobiotic soil and the way it has a big impact on our ecosystems.
Desert Mountain climbing Ideas
Earlier than I get into my desert mountain climbing garments and kit solutions, I wish to share a number of vital issues to pay attention to as you pack on your journey.
Pack For Scorching and Chilly Temps
Desert evenings can really get fairly chilly. Deserts are recognized for being excessive, and it’s not unusual to have actually excessive temperatures and actually low temperatures on the identical day. So, it’s a good suggestion to pack additional layers to throw on after the solar goes down.
That is very true within the colder months when the climate within the desert may be surprisingly wintery. Don’t be stunned if the temps dip into the 30s (or under!) within the desert.
Don’t Skimp On Solar Safety
It’s sensible to be ready with ample solar safety, particularly when you’re visiting in the summertime and plan on spending your days out having enjoyable within the solar. Fairly than lacking out on lovely desert locations, my recommendation is to pack loads of sunscreen and put on clothes that reduces your publicity to the solar.
Keep Hydrated
It’s straightforward to get dehydrated within the desert as a result of sweat tends to dry rapidly as a result of arid local weather, so chances are you’ll not notice how a lot fluid you’re dropping. All the time deliver a hydration pack stuffed with water or a big water bottle with you on any tour out into the desert.
>> Learn Subsequent: Finest Mountain climbing Daypacks for Girls
Select Mild Colours
Mild clothes colours similar to white, beige, and pastels will assist preserve you cooler on desert hikes since these colours don’t take up the solar’s warmth as darker colours do. Additionally, go for loose-fitting garments so you will get good airflow when you hike.
Get An Early Begin
Mountain climbing within the desert may be HOT – spring, fall, and winter are the very best seasons to go to the Southwest when daytime temps are milder. If you happen to do plan to go to throughout summer time, keep away from mountain climbing throughout the warmth of the day (11am-4pm). Warmth can flip harmful rapidly, so we all the time suggest beginning at dawn, or heading for a sundown hike.
Desert Mountain climbing Garments
Brief Sleeve Mountain climbing Shirt
Pack a light-weight mountain climbing shirt that wicks moisture, dries rapidly, and can preserve you cool. The Patagonia Capilene Cool Light-weight Shirt is one among our favorites. It does all the above whereas being tremendous light-weight and packable, plus it doesn’t wrinkle. It’s supreme for any desert hike as a result of it has nice air flow and odor management, making it good for warm days and lengthy hikes. Plus it’s Honest Commerce Licensed and makes use of recycled supplies.
Examine worth: REI | Patagonia | Backcountry
Lengthy Sleeve Mountain climbing Shirt
For additional solar safety, go together with the Patagonia Capilene Cool Lengthy Sleeve Shirt. I’ve truthful pores and skin and have lately gotten into the behavior of sporting lengthy sleeves once I hike within the desert, even on hotter days, so as to shield my pores and skin.
This shirt is quick-drying, prevents odor, and is rated for 50+ UPF solar safety. It additionally breathes rather well, so that you gained’t get too scorching even within the solar. Secure to say, you can put on this in your entire journey and hand-wash it when you have to freshen it up. Plus, just like the Patagonia tee above, this piece is comprised of recycled supplies and is Honest Commerce Licensed.
Examine worth: REI | Patagonia | Backcountry
Mountain climbing Shorts
You’ll desire a pair of snug mountain climbing shorts for these heat desert days. We love The North Face Aphrodite Shorts as a result of they’re tremendous cozy and light-weight they usually have a large waistband and simply the correct quantity of stretch to them.
They’re additionally an ideal size and have pockets that are all the time helpful, plus they dry rapidly. We’ve worn these mountain climbing, rafting, and lounging they usually’re all the time an incredible alternative.
Examine worth: REI | Backcountry
Mountain climbing Pants
On cool desert days or when the solar goes down, you’ll wish to placed on one other layer like these prAna Halle II Mountain climbing Pants. They’re gentle and stretchy sufficient so that you can preserve shifting on the path however sturdy sufficient to face as much as the weather.
These pants layer nicely over a pair of lengthy underwear when you’re visiting within the winter or the desert temps actually drop at night time.
Examine worth: REI | Backcountry
>> Learn Subsequent: Finest Girls’s Mountain climbing Pants & Leggings
Mild Heat Layer
It doesn’t matter what time of 12 months you’re heading to the desert, packing a flannel or light-weight heat layer is all the time a good suggestion. When you have to add a layer, the REI Wallace Lake flannel is a stable alternative. It’s comfortable in your pores and skin, but sturdy for mountain climbing and tenting. And, it’s accessible in seven totally different colours, so take your decide.
Examine worth: REI
Heat Jacket
In case you are touring within the shoulder season, nights within the desert can get fairly chilly and also you’ll probably want a heat jacket (you may skip this when you’re visiting in mid-summer). I all the time have an insulated puffy jacket with me, and one among my favorites is the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket. It’s tremendous light-weight, heat, and made with eco-friendly supplies (recycled ripstop nylon on this case).
And, it’s packable so it’s straightforward to deliver alongside on any journey.
Examine worth: REI | Patagonia | Backcountry
>> Learn Subsequent: Finest Girls’s Artificial Down Jackets
Desert Mountain climbing Footwear
Mountain climbing Footwear
The Oboz Sawtooth X Mid are good for mountain climbing within the desert. They’re sturdy and breathable, making them nice for desert mountain climbing when paired with light-weight mountain climbing socks (Darn Robust are our favourite).
The tempest outsole is tremendous grippy which can assist you navigate throughout rocky and sandy terrain. The Oboz Sawtooth X is snug from day one, so that you gained’t have to endure a stiff break-in interval.
Oboz additionally has some waterproof mountain climbing boot choices that we love, though I personally suggest the non-waterproof for desert environments since they’re extra breathable. If you happen to’d like extra information on the Oboz Sawtooth X’s you may learn my full assessment right here.
Examine worth: Backcountry
>> Learn Subsequent: Finest Girls’s Mountain climbing Boots & Footwear
Mountain climbing Sandals
Among the finest components of visiting the southwest is attending to discover the distinctive waterfalls, rivers, and canyons. Fairly than sporting your mountain climbing footwear or flip flops, I like to recommend packing a water sandal that may additionally double as a camp shoe.
These Teva Common Path Sandals are a sturdy possibility that can carry you from the path to the river. They’re light-weight, snug, and supply nice traction with their Vibram soles to stop slipping.
Even higher, the straps on these new sandals are fabricated from 100% recycled plastic! Try my full assessment of those sandals for more information.
Examine worth: REI | Backcountry
Desert Mountain climbing Equipment
Vast Brimmed Solar Hat
Carrying a well-brimmed hat within the solar will scale back your publicity and assist preserve your head cool. One of the best hat on your desert mountain climbing journey is a hat you’ll really put on, so decide one out based mostly in your fashion – the broader the brim the higher out within the desert.
My absolute favourite solar hat is the Wallaroo Girls’s Sedona Hat pictured under. It’s crushable making for straightforward packing, doesn’t get too scorching when mountain climbing, and it has a drawstring within the brim that lets you tighten the hat if it’s windy.
*DISCOUNT CODE: Save 20% on the Wallaroo Sedona hat if you use the code BEARFOOT20 at checkout.
Examine worth: Wallaroo Hats
Polarized Sun shades
One other must-have merchandise for a desert mountain climbing journey is an effective pair of sun shades. One among my favourite moderately priced pair of sun shades are the SunCloud Patrol Polarized sun shades. With 100% UV safety, these are nice sun shades for mountain climbing within the desert to guard your eyes from the solar.
Examine worth: REI
A Buff
Buffs are nice multi-functional items which are nice for retaining your neck protected in scorching desert environments. We love the Buff CoolNet UV+ as a result of it has a cooling know-how end and UPF 50+ solar safety. It’s additionally comprised of 95% recycled supplies.
If the temps are actually excessive otherwise you feeling some warmth exhaustion, moist your buff with water and put on it round your head. This can assist preserve your physique temp cooler.
Examine worth: REI | Backcountry
Desert Mountain climbing Gear
Day Pack
When you get to your desert vacation spot, you’ll want a rugged, sturdy day mountain climbing pack, just like the Osprey Tempest 20. With simply the correct quantity of room, it has a number of pockets to retailer every thing you want for a day outdoors.
You possibly can connect a helmet or trekking poles to the outside and combine your hydration reservoir. Total, the Osprey Tempest 20 Pack is an effective all-around day pack so as to add to your desert packing listing.
Examine worth: REI | Backcountry | Osprey
Hydration Reservoir
Some of the vital issues to recollect if you’re out exploring the desert is to keep hydrated. The Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir is a dependable, BPA-free reservoir accessible in 1.5, 2, and three L.
I like to recommend the 3L reservoir when you’ll be heading out for a full day – water sources may be restricted mountain climbing within the desert. This hydration reservoir is designed to maintain a low profile, so your pack will nonetheless be snug.
Examine worth: REI | Backcountry | Osprey
Water filter
If you happen to’re heading out on an extended hike and you already know there can be water sources like a river or creek, it’s a good suggestion to pack a water filter so you may refill your hydration bladder and never fear about water. We love the LifeStraw Peak Squeeze 22 fl oz water filter as a result of it’s small and light-weight and really straightforward to make use of. Simply fill it up and squeeze the water out into your bigger container or reservoir.
Examine worth: REI | LifeStraw
>> Learn Subsequent: Finest Backpacking Water Filters
GPS & Satellite tv for pc Communicator
All through many of the wild locations in distant desert areas, there’s very spotty cell service or none in any respect. Chances are you’ll wish to think about carrying a satellite tv for pc communicator just like the Garmin inReach Mini 2-way Satellite tv for pc Communicator.
This tiny handheld gadget has 2-way texting, SOS, and monitoring capabilities. It may very well be a life-saver (actually) when you need assistance and also you’re out of cell reception. I really feel somewhat extra snug once I’m off-grid understanding I’ve an emergency gadget like this.
Examine worth: REI
Sunscreen & Lip Balm
Final, however positively not least, don’t overlook the sunscreen and lip balm. We’ve been loving Suppose Sport’s Naturally Tinted Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen as a result of it blends in nicely, doesn’t go away a white residue, and most significantly it’s eco-friendly, reef-friendly, and freed from dangerous chemical compounds.
Additionally, you should definitely again a tube of chapstick with SPF as a result of there’s nothing worse than sore and blistering lips!
Examine worth: Amazon
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I hope this helps you dial within the gear you want on your desert mountain climbing journey! What questions do you may have? The place are you most enthusiastic about visiting? Tell us within the feedback under.
