The Precautions of Hiking in the Desert

This past weekend I decided to find some peace and clarity by hiking into the desert bordering Moapa Valley. This is not a typical hike for myself; in fact, this was a first experience. After strenuous hours of selling my time to labor within a secluded office cubicle, all I wanted was to escape the technology this economy so strongly relies on. My desire is to be one with nature; although I'm sure my mere presence contaminates it rather than embracing it. Regardless, I researched necessary precautions and prepared for my journey.

After mentioning this decision to friends and family, they simply laughed at me and warned me of rattlesnakes and mountain lions. I had no intentions of hiking local trails near Red Rock Canyon or the Grand Canyon; I was to drive north of the Moapa Indian Reservation, determine a suitable location, park on the side of the highway, and set out into the unknown. As this was my first experience, I took any necessary precautions I could imagine before leaving my vehicle.

Firstly, I informed a friend of my location via mile marker and entrusted her to notify authorities if I fail to call her before sundown. My compass was to direct me east towards a break in the mountains. Among that compass were other tools such as a knife, lighter, flashlight, rations of food, warm clothing, and of course, water! I laced my Dr Martens (some hiker, right) and ventured out. The compass, among others, are obvious precautions. Only a fool would consider hiking into the unknown without it; unless you're able to correlate your direction via the sun and stars. The warm clothing was in case I became stranded overnight and was unsuccessful in creating a fire with the lighter. The flashlight was to explore any caves I discovered; however, it could also be used to direct the attention of a rescue if once again, I failed to make a fire.

Also, I did not come across any rattlesnakes or mountain lions. Though if you are the unfortunate one who does, experts recommend that you simply let them be. Your presence will surprise/scare them as much as they do you. If the mountain lion does, on the other hand, attack, studies show that even a large cat will run from a fight if they feel threatened or harmed in any way. Good luck with that!

Although I am sure these are precautions any experienced hiker would accept, I will admit my newbie status. As technology so conveniently controls everything we do, I sometimes find it inconvenient in discovering man's true nature. A solitary trip away from these aspects of life was quite satisfying. I may have found peace only temporarily as I sat among the cliffs 10-12 miles away from anything man created; however, I can still re-create the experience within my mind. The stillness of the desert and sounds of nature encompassing my presence as I made my pilgrimage into self-discovery. It was an experience, nonetheless.