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Willravel · 04-20-2006, 07:23 PM

Sorry to resurect an old thread, but a friend of mine suggested hiking across Joshua Tree National Park this fall/winter. This is a desert hike of maybe 30 or so miles, and would theoretically take something like a day and a half or so depending on how fast and efficiently I, an inexperienced hiker, can go. I regularly hike for 1-2 hours at a time in the hills of Saratoga, but hiking across a desert is a completly different story.

What I have already:
- Dakine Heli-Pro backpack: cross carry, snowtool pocket (shovel pocket), insulated hydrosleve
- cell phone that works in Joshua Tree and that has a standby time of a week or so
- really bitchen hats that can cover my head and keep it cool
- someone who can stay in Palm Springs and who can come and get us in case of an emergency

What I figure I'll need:
- some sort of survival training, specifically in desert survival
- SHOES, I know from this thread that the biggest part of this, besides general physical condition, is the shoes. I have no erxperience in choosing the type of boots that are necessary for long distance hikes. If this hike goes well, I will be doing it more and in varied areas (temporate, tundra, etc., I like to go nuts). Is there such a thing as an all weather shoe? Should I get one pair for hot weather and one pair for cold weather?
- food rations would be nice. Something light, easy to fix, and nutritious. I figure that military rations should be fine.
- I need a water pack. The forementioned backpack has space in it for a water pack, and has an insulated hydrosleve for the tube, which is nice. Does anyone have experience with a specific brand or model that they would reccomend?
- a walking stick would also be helpful. I usually grab something from the brush when I hike, but that may not be possible in an arid environment. Do people normally get walking sticks? Is this something you get retail, or something you just have from another walk?
- what should I wear? Kind of an open ended question, but I'm not sure where to begin, beyond a light hat that has good coverage and breathes well.
- other stuff I'm not thinking of.

I really appreciate any help the more experienced members have. Once I get back, you're all invited on my next hike!

04-20-2006, 07:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Sorry to resurect an old thread, but a friend of mine suggested hiking across Joshua Tree National Park this fall/winter. This is a desert hike of maybe 30 or so miles, and would theoretically take something like a day and a half or so depending on how fast and efficiently I, an inexperienced hiker, can go. I regularly hike for 1-2 hours at a time in the hills of Saratoga, but hiking across a desert is a completly different story. What I have already: - Dakine Heli-Pro backpack: cross carry, snowtool pocket (shovel pocket), insulated hydrosleve - cell phone that works in Joshua Tree and that has a standby time of a week or so - really bitchen hats that can cover my head and keep it cool - someone who can stay in Palm Springs and who can come and get us in case of an emergency What I figure I'll need: - some sort of survival training, specifically in desert survival - SHOES, I know from this thread that the biggest part of this, besides general physical condition, is the shoes. I have no erxperience in choosing the type of boots that are necessary for long distance hikes. If this hike goes well, I will be doing it more and in varied areas (temporate, tundra, etc., I like to go nuts). Is there such a thing as an all weather shoe? Should I get one pair for hot weather and one pair for cold weather? - food rations would be nice. Something light, easy to fix, and nutritious. I figure that military rations should be fine. - I need a water pack. The forementioned backpack has space in it for a water pack, and has an insulated hydrosleve for the tube, which is nice. Does anyone have experience with a specific brand or model that they would reccomend? - a walking stick would also be helpful. I usually grab something from the brush when I hike, but that may not be possible in an arid environment. Do people normally get walking sticks? Is this something you get retail, or something you just have from another walk? - what should I wear? Kind of an open ended question, but I'm not sure where to begin, beyond a light hat that has good coverage and breathes well. - other stuff I'm not thinking of. I really appreciate any help the more experienced members have. Once I get back, you're all invited on my next hike!