Desert camping requirements?

Question

hey there........im planning to go camping overnight in the desert with a few friends in the winter.....what would the essential requirements be? im talking about an arabian desert......im 16,and my friends' ages are 17,19,19, and 20.....as of now we're planning to do some BBQ-ing, and apart from that we're planning to take a tent and sleeping bags,loads of water,some first aid and food,a boombox,spare clothes, a handycam,an ice box for beers ,and a couple of biker chains and the like (just in case...itz the desert!!)...............we're gonna be taking a 4WD like a cadillac escalade or a dodge ram or durango.........

so what else do you think we should take? and what kinda stuff should we look out for? what kinda stuff poses danger in the desert?

and one more thing....this is a question for the xperienced campers........what do u do when u wanna go the toilet?? LOL.....serious answers only!! thanx

Answer 1

I live in the American southwest, so I can speak to my experience here.

Take plenty of water and/or water filter if there's a source nearby

Take warm clothing because the desert gets cold at night

Watch out for scorpions, rattlesnakes and spiders

Don't be in exposed areas during thunderstorms because lightning is a real danger

Don't spend much time in dry riverbeds if there are storm clouds on the horizon

Take protection against the sun: hat, sun glasses, clothing

Take a scarf for each of you

Take the following survival items:

- whistles

- short wave radio and/or long range walkie talkies

- flares

- topographic map, compass and GPS

- good hunting knife

- signalling mirror

- extra rope

If your truck breaks down and you have to hike to the nearest town, then you'll need backpacks to carry your survival items and food.

The biggest danger in the desert is dehydration. The next biggest is getting lost.

One more thing: if you're going to spend much time walking around - I recommend long boots to protect your feet and lower legs from cactus, snakes, rocks, etc.