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 fitting 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 fitting gear, clothes, solar safety, and hydration, you’ll be well-prepared for a tremendous desert journey, too. On this weblog publish, I share my prime recommendations for all of this and extra whether or not you’re visiting Southern Utah’s Nationwide Parks, Joshua Tree Nationwide Park, Loss of life Valley Nationwide Park, or one other superb desert vacation spot.
Essential Reminder: Because it goes in the entire locations we share, please apply good path etiquette and bear in mind to Go away 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 methods to shield cryptobiotic soil and the way it has a huge effect on our ecosystems.
Desert Climbing Suggestions
Earlier than I get into my desert mountain climbing garments and kit recommendations, I wish to share a number of essential issues to concentrate on as you pack on your journey.
Pack For Scorching and Chilly Temps
Desert evenings can truly 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 shocked if the temps dip into the 30s (or beneath!) within the desert.
Don’t Skimp On Solar Safety
It’s sensible to be ready with ample solar safety, particularly in the event you’re visiting in the summertime and plan on spending your days out having enjoyable within the solar. Relatively 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 because of the arid local weather, so you might not understand how a lot fluid you’re shedding. At all times convey a hydration pack stuffed with water or a big water bottle with you on any tour out into the desert.
>> Learn Subsequent: Finest Climbing Daypacks for Ladies
Select Gentle Colours
Gentle clothes colours equivalent to white, beige, and pastels will assist hold you cooler on desert hikes since these colours don’t soak 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
Climbing within the desert may be HOT – spring, fall, and winter are one of the best seasons to go to the Southwest when daytime temps are milder. In case you do plan to go to throughout summer time, keep away from mountain climbing through the warmth of the day (11am-4pm). Warmth can flip harmful rapidly, so we at all times suggest beginning at dawn, or heading for a sundown hike.
Desert Climbing Garments
Quick Sleeve Climbing Shirt
Pack a light-weight mountain climbing shirt that wicks moisture, dries rapidly, and can hold you cool. The Patagonia Capilene Cool Light-weight Shirt is certainly one of our favorites. It does the entire above whereas being tremendous light-weight and packable, plus it doesn’t wrinkle. It’s splendid for any desert hike as a result of it has nice air flow and odor management, making it excellent for decent days and lengthy hikes. Plus it’s Truthful Commerce Licensed and makes use of recycled supplies.
Verify worth: REI | Patagonia | Backcountry
Lengthy Sleeve Climbing Shirt
For additional solar safety, go along with the Patagonia Capilene Cool Lengthy Sleeve Shirt. I’ve honest pores and skin and have just lately gotten into the behavior of sporting lengthy sleeves after I hike within the desert, even on hotter days, with a view 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 received’t get too sizzling even within the solar. Secure to say, you would put on this in your complete journey and hand-wash it when it’s essential to freshen it up. Plus, just like the Patagonia tee above, this piece is created from recycled supplies and is Truthful Commerce Licensed.
Verify worth: REI | Patagonia | Backcountry
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 and so they have a large waistband and simply the correct amount of stretch to them.
They’re additionally an ideal size and have pockets that are at all times useful, plus they dry rapidly. We’ve worn these mountain climbing, rafting, and lounging and so they’re at all times an excellent alternative.
Verify worth: REI | Backcountry
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 Climbing Pants. They’re gentle and stretchy sufficient so that you can hold transferring on the path however sturdy sufficient to face as much as the weather.
These pants layer effectively over a pair of lengthy underwear in the event you’re visiting within the winter or the desert temps actually drop at evening.
Verify worth: REI | Backcountry
>> Learn Subsequent: Finest Ladies’s Climbing Pants & Leggings
Gentle 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 at all times a good suggestion. When it’s essential to add a layer, the REI Wallace Lake flannel is a stable alternative. It’s mushy in your pores and skin, but sturdy for mountain climbing and tenting. And, it’s accessible in seven completely different colours, so take your choose.
Verify worth: REI
Heat Jacket
If you’re touring within the shoulder season, nights within the desert can get fairly chilly and also you’ll seemingly want a heat jacket (you possibly can skip this in the event you’re visiting in mid-summer). I at all times have an insulated puffy jacket with me, and certainly one of 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 convey alongside on any journey.
Verify worth: REI | Patagonia | Backcountry
>> Learn Subsequent: Finest Ladies’s Artificial Down Jackets
Desert Climbing Footwear
Climbing Footwear
The Oboz Sawtooth X Mid are excellent 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 Powerful are our favourite).
The tempest outsole is tremendous grippy which can enable you to navigate throughout rocky and sandy terrain. The Oboz Sawtooth X is snug from day one, so that you received’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. In case you’d like extra information on the Oboz Sawtooth X’s you possibly can learn my full overview right here.
Verify worth: Backcountry
>> Learn Subsequent: Finest Ladies’s Climbing Boots & Footwear
Climbing Sandals
Top-of-the-line elements of visiting the southwest is attending to discover the distinctive waterfalls, rivers, and canyons. Relatively 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 may 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 product of 100% recycled plastic! Try my full overview of those sandals for more information.
Verify worth: REI | Backcountry
Desert Climbing Equipment
Large Brimmed Solar Hat
Carrying a well-brimmed hat within the solar will cut back your publicity and assist hold your head cool. One of the best hat on your desert mountain climbing journey is a hat you’ll truly put on, so choose one out based mostly in your model – the broader the brim the higher out within the desert.
My absolute favourite solar hat is the Wallaroo Ladies’s Sedona Hat pictured beneath. It’s crushable making for simple packing, doesn’t get too sizzling when mountain climbing, and it has a drawstring within the brim that permits you to tighten the hat if it’s windy.
*DISCOUNT CODE: Save 20% on the Wallaroo Sedona hat whenever you use the code BEARFOOT20 at checkout.
Verify worth: Wallaroo Hats
Polarized Sun shades
One other must-have merchandise for a desert mountain climbing journey is an efficient pair of sun shades. One in every of my favourite fairly 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.
Verify worth: REI
A Buff
Buffs are nice multi-functional items which might be nice for retaining your neck protected in sizzling 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 created from 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. It will assist hold your physique temp cooler.
Verify worth: REI | Backcountry
Desert 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 amount of room, it has a number of pockets to retailer the whole lot you want for a day exterior.
You’ll be able to connect a helmet or trekking poles to the outside and combine your hydration reservoir. General, the Osprey Tempest 20 Pack is an efficient all-around day pack so as to add to your desert packing record.
Verify worth: REI | Backcountry | Osprey
Hydration Reservoir
One of the essential issues to recollect whenever 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 in the event 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.
Verify worth: REI | Backcountry | Osprey
Water filter
In case you’re heading out on an extended hike and there will probably be water sources like a river or creek, it’s a good suggestion to pack a water filter so you possibly can 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.
>> Learn Subsequent: Finest Backpacking Water Filters
GPS & Satellite tv for pc Communicator
All through a lot of the wild locations in distant desert areas, there’s very spotty cell service or none in any respect. You might wish to contemplate 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 might be a life-saver (actually) in the event you need assistance and also you’re out of cell reception. I really feel a little bit extra snug after I’m off-grid understanding I’ve an emergency gadget like this.
Verify worth: REI
Sunscreen & Lip Balm
Final, however undoubtedly not least, don’t neglect 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 effectively, doesn’t depart a white residue, and most significantly it’s eco-friendly, reef-friendly, and freed from dangerous chemical compounds.
Additionally, remember to again a tube of chapstick with SPF as a result of there’s nothing worse than sore and blistering lips!
Verify worth: Amazon
Associated Weblog Posts:
I hope this helps you dial within the gear you want on your desert mountain climbing journey! What questions do you will have? The place are you most enthusiastic about visiting? Tell us within the feedback beneath.
