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Dally Press Gazette
Desert Destinations
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Desert Dancing
Exploring the Mojave and Colorado deserts
By Len Wilcox
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Information provided by the Barstow office of the US BLM
Many people each year have mishaps in the Mojave Desert that could have been avoided or made less serious with some preplanning. Following is a list of preparations to be made before your trip to the desert, a basic list of supplies, and suggestions for what to do if you become stranded.
Before your trip:
- Let someone at home know your travel plans and a time you will return! If you do get lost or break down, the people at home will know where to start looking. Also, let these people know if your plans change.
- Learn about the area, get accurate maps and travel conditions, and plan your agenda conservatively if you are traveling to an unfamiliar area.
- Bring gear appropriate to your activity, the expected range of conditions and the planned length of your stay. Changing conditions has fooled many people. We often hear statements like "...we did not expect thunder storms in the desert", "...we didn't expect it to get so cold at night..." or "we didn't know it was so far between gas stations/ services..."
If Lost, Stranded or Broken Down:
- Stay with your vehicle or otherwise make yourself visible,
- Stay put, unless you have a clear and specific destination,
- Avoid walking during the heat of the day; morning and evening walking is better for conserving your body's moisture,
- Seek shelter from the elements, but try to make yourself visible (like with smoke or a signal fire, or a bright colored tarp)
Information by Park Ranger Scott Lowrey
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