Safety Tips When Traveling to the Desert
Southern Utah boasts some of the world’s beautiful landscapes and views. Enjoying a desert vacation means some preparation to keep yourself and your traveling companions safe.
The desert is home to hiking, rock climbing, and adventure galore, but the desert is also home to wildlife, intensely hot days, and unpredictable weather. Follow these tips to prepare for your upcoming trip to the Sand Hollow Resort and the Southern Utah desert.
Always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.
Distance in the desert can be misleading. What appears to be a short distance can be a lot longer than it seems, especially in the midday heat or the cold temps of winter. We recommend that you always let someone know where you will be traveling and what time you expect to return.
Cell phone coverage can be challenging in the desert. If you run into an emergency in the desert, you might find yourself unable to call for help. Even a sprained ankle can turn into trouble in the high temperatures of summer. Many experienced hikers opt for a satellite phone for hikes when cell coverage is unpredictable.
Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.
When enjoying a day hiking in the desert, you need to plan on bringing all of the water you will need. The chances of finding potable water are slim. Each person should carry at least a gallon of water with them—plan on turning back toward your starting location when your water is halfway gone. The hot temps of the Southern Utah summer will have you losing water and electrolytes through your sweat very quickly.
Electrolytes bring us to our next travel tip.
Pack Salty Snacks
Salty snacks are easy to carry, don’t require refrigeration, and can help you replace all those electrolytes you’re losing through sweating. Pack some nuts, crackers, jerky, or other salty snacks that don’t require a cooler. Sometimes the hot desert temps can steal our hunger, but it’s important to stop, rest, and feed ourselves. The peak heat of the day is an excellent time to stop and take a snack break to avoid exerting yourself when the temps are highest.
Plan for Skin Protection:
Sun hats, loose-fitting clothing, and a lot of sunscreen are essential to keeping yourself safe during a desert hike. Make sure you plan to reapply your sunscreen often. You should protect all of your exposed skin from the sun’s hot rays, including the tip of your nose, the parts of your hair, and the tips of your ears. Don’t forget sunglasses to protect your eyes.
Leave all wildlife be.
Many exciting species call the desert home, but you must leave the wildlife alone. Feeding, touching, or chasing wildlife is dangerous for you and the critters. So instead, enjoy the wildlife from a safe distance for both you and them.
Remember not to stick your hands in unknown places and be careful sitting directly on the ground. The desert is home to a few venomous species, including snakes, scorpions, and spiders.
Take Necessary Precautions
Our list of safety tips is not comprehensive.
For more safety tips during your next stay at the Sand Hollow Resort, contact our guest services. We can help you get ready for a fabulous and safe desert vacation.
