 |
Backpacking
in Arizona |
Backpacks are made for different activities like; short day
trips, long camping trips, skiing, cycling, or mountaineering.
They can be made with an internal or external frame, made
to maximize carrying capacity or minimize weight, and be designed
to either stay close to or away from the back.
Items
to bring on your Hike
- GPS
/ Maps & Compass
Unless you are very familiar with the area to be hiked,
bring a GPS a good map and a compass, and know how to use
them together to knopw where you are and where you're going.
- Sunglasses
Always a good idea, regardless of where you are hiking.
Those that wrap around the eyes keep the side glare out
as well. They help keep wind, branches and sand out of your
eyes as well.
- Plenty
of water
Bring lots of water, best things for hiking are the many
hydration systems available. We add ice or maybe a frozen
water bottle in the hydration sysytem. This keeps the water
and your back cool for the first part of your hike. You
can never have too much water, and you can always give it
to someone else who needs it. Bring water for your dogs
too.
- Food
Bring snacks. Wherever you hike, bring some food, you can
always not eat it, but if you get hungry up on a nice hilltop
and you left all your snaks at home you're out of luck.
- More
Water
Water is essential in Southern Arizona. At the lower altitudes,
you'll be hiking in the desert, where the temperature warrants
a good supply of water. At higher altitudes, where you may
not be as hot, you will still need water, because your body
needs more fluids at altitude.
- First
Aid Kit
Don't forget a good basic first aid kit, with the basics
for walking in the desert like foot care and bandages. We
include eye drops, sun tan lotion and and tweezers in our
kits as well.
- Footwear
Some people feel hiking boots are unnecessary for day hikes.
Our advice is to wear boots when hiking in the desert, if
for nothing else than to protect your feet from rocks, cactus
and various other things that might bite.
- A
Friend
Try not to hike alone, especially in the more remote areas
of the state. Chances are you won't see anyone all day,
even on the drive to the trailhead, and if you do something
as simple as fall and break your ankle, you're in trouble.
Dress
for a Successful Hike
Proper layering can prevent both overheating
and hypothermia
Inner Layer
- Close
fitting underwear (long-sleeve top/bottom for colder conditions)
- Wool,
silk, or synthetic fabrics such as polypropylene
- Avoid
cotton, it soaks up moisture, doesn't dry readily, and can
contribute to hypothermia
- An
inner layer of breatheable, wicking fabric transports moisture
away from the skin
- Wicking
liner socks help prevent blisters
Middle
Layer
- Shirt,
vest, jacket, pants
- Wool
or fleece
Outer Layer
- Wind-resistant
nylon jacket and pants
- Down
or other heavy jacket for cold conditions
- Water-resistant
jacket or jacket lined with Gore-Tex for wet conditions
- Hat
with a wide brim to keep the sun out
- A pair
of leather gloves
- Sturdy
boots
Why
Bring a Walking Stick ?
Keep your
balance;
- Crossing
Creeks, Streams, Rivers use it like a third leg to keep
a very soild stand in moving water. Also helpfull when water
is cloudy to probe before you step
- Traversing
hillsides and slopes
- Crossing
shale, scree, bolders and other loose rock
- Carrying
Heavy Loads keeping your balance can be rough
- Resting
along the way, lean on your stick to take the weight of
your pack off your back for a break.
- Break
or Prevent a Fall on hills, on rocks or even wet grass.
Reduce
effort in knees, legs and feet
- Provides
Extra Power & Balance, Going Uphill
- Reduces
Shock on Knees, Going Downhill
- Takes
Pressure off Back & Hips
More uses
for a walking stick
- Center
or Side Pole for a Tarp
- To
Prop Up Your Pack
- To
Lean on When Resting
- Use
as a lever to move large rocks or stumps
- Pushing
aside spider webs & brush and scrub
- Use
to steady a camera
- Use
as a leg splint
- Self
Defense from dogs and wild animals
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