New to the Desert, need to learn the ropes out here..where to begin?

[OneLohan]

My wife and i recently relocated to Las Vegas from the northern New England area. We are both very well versed in wilderness survival for our home climate. Here in the desert there are obvious concerns with the availability of water. I guess my question is directed toward anyone with desert survival chops, and more or less is where do i begin? Any info would be greatly appreciated.


O.

[Sarge47]

My wife and i recently relocated to Las Vegas from the northern New England area. We are both very well versed in wilderness survival for our home climate. Here in the desert there are obvious concerns with the availability of water. I guess my question is directed toward anyone with desert survival chops, and more or less is where do i begin? Any info would be greatly appreciated.


O.

This is from the late Dr. Ron Hood's web-site: http://survival.instantestore.net/pd_wm_vol_13.cfm

Hope this helps. :nod:

[Seniorman]

I lived in Los Angeles for 36 years and was out in the Mojave Desert many times, and was in Death Valley twice, during the "hot" season. I am no expert, but make sure you take lots of water, and above all, keep hydrated. Do not ever depend on that "Dig a hole and cover it with plastic," nonsense. In a true desert survival situation, you'll die before that works for you. Extra food is a good idea, too. First aid kits are advisable with good tweezers for cactus spines, if necessary

Always make certain your vehicle is in very good mechanical condition. Always take two spare tires, a Hi-Lift jack, a "come-along," tools, extra oil, etc., and a partner in another vehicle, if you can arrange it. Sun glasses, sun block, good cold weather clothing for the nights (the desert gets cold at night), and some kind of tarp to rig for shade in the daytime.

Always let someone know where you're going and when you will return.

There are different opinions of what I'll say here but you'd not catch me out in the desert without a good firearm and ammo. There are some strange people out there, sometimes, and it never hurts to be prepared.

The great American deserts are spectacular ... but never, ever, take them for granted. If you are careless, Mr. Desert can kill you.

Did I mention to take lots of water?? :idea:

Just my take on it. Be prepared, and have fun.

S.M.

[Beans]

I ran (motorcycles, jeeps and on foot) the Mojave desert out of Boulder City and Henderson Nevada including the Barstow/ Palm Springs desert area for over 27 years. My work had me covering the area from Las Vegas to Laughlin.

I always carried 5 gallons of water with me when I left Henderson. I wish I could count the number of times that I stopped to offer help to stranded motorists between Boulder City and Searchlight and between Searchlight and Laughlin. The first thing they always asked was " do you have any water" The second thing "Can you get us a wrecker to tow our vehicle". Cell phone coverage in those areas can be spotty. Besides water always carry a hat, wear loose fitting clothing and a LONG sleeve shirt. No shorts and carry a good pair of hiking shoes/boots..

Because of the low humidity you won't think you are sweating, but you are. Drink even if you are not thirsty. By the time you think you are thirsty you are on your way to dehydration. Move slowly, if hot seek shade. Stay out of the arroyos during raining weather even if it is raining several miles away.

Outside of Boulder City you will find a very large dry lake. Most of us taught our kids how to drive there. I have seen it rain on one side of the dry lake and not on the other. In the worst case that are barrel cactus that can be cut open and moisture sucked out of the meat. They are protected by law. But If you are in that kind of strait, my thought are "Please come arrest me I need help"

These tips are for those that don’t leave the paved roadway.

If you are planning to go deep offroading. take someone with you (another vehicle), put together a survival kit suitable for the desert area, water. water, water, shade, fire making materials, food. illuminations. Temperature swings in the desert can be as much as 40 degrees or more between mid-day and midnight. I have also seen it as high as 117 degrees at 11:00 pm and have seen the streets covered with snow. Too much more required information to post here.

Go slow, learn the desert and stay alive.

History This area below Searchlight was used a training ground for Patton's army in WWII Also the old Mojave trail the Spaniards used in the 1700;s traverses this area.

[Beans]

I lived in Los Angeles for 36 years and was out in the Mojave Desert many times, and was in Death Valley twice, during the "hot" season. I am no expert, but make sure you take lots of water, and above all, keep hydrated. Do not ever depend on that "Dig a hole and cover it with plastic," nonsense. In a true desert survival situation, you'll die before that works for you. Extra food is a good idea, too. First aid kits are advisable with good tweezers for cactus spines, if necessary

Always make certain your vehicle is in very good mechanical condition. Always take two spare tires, a Hi-Lift jack, a "come-along," tools, extra oil, etc., and a partner in another vehicle, if you can arrange it. Sun glasses, sun block, good cold weather clothing for the nights (the desert gets cold at night), and some kind of tarp to rig for shade in the daytime.

Always let someone know where you're going and when you will return.

There are different opinions of what I'll say here but you'd not catch me out in the desert without a good firearm and ammo. There are some strange people out there, sometimes, and it never hurts to be prepared.

The great American deserts are spectacular ... but never, ever, take them for granted. If you are careless, Mr. Desert can kill you.

Did I mention to take lots of water?? :idea:

Just my take on it. Be prepared, and have fun.

S.M.

Great advice--- Listen, Heed and Live

Something I left out. The Gov't has put out watering areas for the wildlife called "guzzlers" Get a map of the area where you want to go, get a map of the locations of the guzzlers. and If you are not knowledgeable on how to read a map and compass take a class. don't relay on a GPS. Heat is bad for batteries

[Seniorman]

BEANS - "... If you are not knowledgeable on how to read a map and compass take a class. don't relay on a GPS."

Brother, you ain't kiddin'! We've run onto a couple of vehicles way out in the Mojave where the occupants were lost and had no maps or compass. We directed them how to get out.

Also, as you said, do not wear short pants, short sleeve shirts and tee shirts out in the desert. The sun is brutal!

On one trip in August several years ago, we came upon a large van camper with two couples and three children, in deep trouble. They had no clothing but shorts and tee shirts, and only had a small tube of some cheap sun block, which was long gone. They were roasted and looked like lobsters.

We gave them water, and soaked towels in the cold water from our ice chests to try and sooth the burns on the children. Then we pointed them in the direction of the nearest but far distant exit so they could get some medical help. Fortunately, they at least had plenty of gas so we didn't have to give them any of ours.

I've never gone out in the deserts without a wide brimmed straw hat, and in the winter, a wide brimmed western style felt hat. Even in the winter, one can easily sunburn if not protected.

Another thing I've always taken is a 30"x30" silk bandana. Many uses, but if a sand/dust storm comes up unexpectedly, that large silk bandana can really come in handy!

Best of luck to all who recreate in the Great American Desert. Just be prepared.

S.M.

[Beans]

NV Guzzler information

http://www.ndow.org/wild/habitat/guzzler/index.shtm

[Aurelius95]

Cody Lundin's book, 98.6* - the Art of Keeping Your (rear) Alive. He's lived in the Arizona desert for most of his adult life. The book details a survival kit, but you need one that works for you. Good luck, be safe, and keep cool.

[Rick]

Beans - I appreciate you posting that information on guzzlers. I've never heard of them before and a google searched turned up quite a bit of information in many different states utilizing the same concept. I would suggest identifying as many locations as possible if you intend to spend time in the desert. Knowing what any source of water is has to be valuable information and could serve as a life saver if the location of a guzzler is all you have.

[Sarge47]

Cody Lundin's book, 98.6* - the Art of Keeping Your (rear) Alive. He's lived in the Arizona desert for most of his adult life. The book details a survival kit, but you need one that works for you. Good luck, be safe, and keep cool.
I 2nd that one! Cody's the best for the West! Southwest anyways! And Beans, gosh almighty, I'd never heard that definition of a guzzler either! My dad was a "guzzler," but he was also an alcoholic...! :sneaky2: :innocent: :drool:

[hunter63]

NV Guzzler information

http://www.ndow.org/wild/habitat/guzzler/index.shtm

That's good info.....I didn't know they had such a thing........and for $40 bucks, you get a map of where they are, per that site.

[Seniorman]

P.S. Just thought of this.

Always be aware there are many, many old, abandoned mine shafts out in the deserts and surrounding foothills and mountains. Some you can see, some are slightly covered over with sand, dirt, brush, etc. STAY OUT! Every year a few people pay no heed to such advice and fall in and many are fatal.

S.M.

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[yellowcab]

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