Before The Hike

When planning a hike, a little preparation not only goes a long way to help make the trip fun and successful, but it is also necessary to ensure that you return safely.

A good place to begin is with your selection of clothes. Sturdy shoes with good soles are important, as is comfortable clothing. Weather conditions may warrant short pants and a short-sleeved shirt when you start out, but always come prepared with warmer clothing, especially when hiking Arizona's higher terrain. In the desert areas, light-colored, long clothing is helpful in preventing sunburn. A wide-brimmed hat is also a necessity. For hikes of any length, bring along rain gear—either a poncho or rain parka and pants—in your pack. Two pairs of socks are a good idea, but experienced hikers have no doubt worked out their own best solution for footwear long ago.

In addition to proper clothing, experts have put together a list of 10+ Essentials which they deem necessary for a safe and rewarding adventure.

1. Extra clothing—more than is needed in good weather
2. Extra food—so that something is left over at the end of the trip
3. Sunglasses—especially important for alpine and snow travel, and in desert lands
4. Knife—for first aid and emergency fire-building (to make kindling)
5. Firestarter—a candle or chemical fuel for wet wood
6. First-aid kit
7. Matches—in a weatherproof container
8. Flashlight—with extra bulb and batteries
9. Map—be sure it's the right one for the trip
10. Compass—be sure to know the declination, east or west

In Arizona's generally arid climate, an eleventh item of great importance should always command room in your pack—water, a gallon per person per day.

When planning an overnight trip, you cannot go wrong by investing in (or renting) good camping equipment. First, take a look at your shoes—with added weight on your back, it is important that your ankles are supported with higher boots. To carry that extra weight in the most comfortable manner possible, a good backpack is a must. Packs have become quite sophisticated, especially in harness systems. Be sure that you bring extra clothing, including a change of socks for each day. A good lightweight sleeping bag will be a friend for years to come if properly cared for. And a sleeping pad is well worth the weight for added warmth and comfort.

Shelter is an important consideration. Some hapless hikers may assume that it is not going to rain, or that they can find natural shelter along the way. It is far better, however, to pack along a good, lightweight tent to ensure your comfort and safety.

You may want to bring extra water, especially if none is available along the route. Checking beforehand with the managing agency on water availability is extremely important, as is carrying a good water filter. Plan your meals carefully so that you do not either go hungry or wind up carrying too much food.

You will need a cook kit, spoon, fork, cup, and lightweight stove for preparing meals. In this day and age, a stove is not only convenient but a real godsend for the environment.

Wilderness Etiquette

Fortunately, much of Arizona's backcountry is now protected as wilderness. There are currently ninety-two designated wilderness areas across the state. These are included on National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and national wildlife refuge lands.

As dictated by the Wilderness Act of 1964, a variety of regulations apply so as to preserve the natural character of the land and provide visitors with a true wilderness experience. Paramount among these regulations is that all means of mechanized travel are prohibited. This includes motorized vehicles, hang gliders, and all-terrain bicycles (ATBs). In Arizona, as in other states, ATBs, or mountain bikes as they are often called, present land managers with a particularly pressing problem. A few bicyclists either do not know that bicycles are prohibited or they believe that they are above the law. Although most users of this information will be traveling on foot, keep in mind that mountain bikes are strictly prohibited from all trails that enter wilderness areas. They are not allowed on most national park and monument trails either.

Of course, the Wilderness Act also prohibits such mechanized equipment as chain saws and generators. Commercial enterprises such as livestock grazing and outfitting are allowed under a permit system. Some areas have restrictions on fires and campsite location. Because dogs are disruptive to wildlife, some backcountry areas are off-limits to pets. In all other locations, pets should be strictly controlled, or, preferably, left at home. Fishing and hunting regulations fall under the auspices of the Arizona Department of Game and Fish.

In addition to the regulations dictated by the Wilderness Act, all visitors should follow a number of commonsense rules having to do with no-trace camping and hiking. These rules should be applied not just to designated wilderness lands but to all backcountry areas.

• Do not build campfires use a stove instead.
• Avoid camping in sensitive areas such as mountain meadows and around fragile desert plants.
• Camp at least 100 feet from the trail and use existing sites when possible.
• Camp at least a quarter mile from any spring or watering hole. State law dictates this to benefit wildlife that comes to drink at night.
• Never cut standing trees, dead or alive.
• Do not leave behind structures or nails of any sort.
• Do not dig holes and trenches, or level tent areas.
• Bury all human waste and use biodegradable soap at least 200 feet from water sources. Pack out or safely burn used toilet paper.
• Travel in small groups.
• Never cut across switchbacks or walk over sensitive ground such as microbiotic (cryptogamic) soil.
• Pack out all litter.

While these "no trace" rules certainly apply to the backcountry, they also make good sense when camping at a trailhead. Far too often, backcountry travelers forget to exhibit care for the environment once they are off the trail. The end result is trailhead areas that are trashed out and overused. In such areas, practice low-impact camping just as you would in any wilderness setting, and be sure to keep your vehicles on established roadways and parking areas.

Of course, it should go without saying that all plants, animals, rocks, and historical relics should not be removed, disturbed, or destroyed in any way. All natural objects and historical artifacts are protected by law in national parks, monuments, recreation areas, and wildlife refuges. Similarly, many species of cactus are protected by state laws, passed in response to an increase in cactus rustling in recent years. Antiquities of prehistoric or historic origin are protected by federal law. In recent years, artifacts, especially those of the prehistoric Indians, have been looted at an alarming rate. Prehistoric structures are also threatened by careless treatment. The simplest rule is also the best: look but don't touch.

Backcountry Safety

Backcountry hazards are numerous in Arizona, but if you take a few precautions the possibility of problems becomes quite small. This information outlines what some of those hazards are, but does not presume to represent the final word on treatment or prevention. The best prevention is knowledge and experience. Further Reading are a few books that may be helpful in giving you a deeper understanding of outdoor travel, the dangers you may encounter on the trail, and what you can do to make your outings as safe and enjoyable as possible.

Heat and Sun

Perhaps the most prevalent danger to hikers in Arizona is the heat, especially in the low deserts. Temperatures regularly top the 100 degrees Fahrenheit mark in the summer months, and sometimes reach above 120 degrees. Under such conditions the body can quickly become dehydrated. This, in turn, leads to fatigue, exhaustion, heat stroke, and even death. The best course of action is to avoid hiking during these hot periods. If you do choose to hike during hot weather, however, it is extremely important to carry plenty of drinking water: a gallon per person per day is the recommended amount. It is also important to remember to drink often. Surprisingly, many people fail to drink the water they carry at frequent enough intervals. To detect heat exhaustion, watch for cool and pale skin, headaches, dizziness, and lack of energy. Heat exhaustion may lead to heat stroke, which is very serious. Immediate treatment for both of these conditions includes having the victim rest in a cool, shady area. Give him or her plenty of water and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

In addition to the possibility of heat exhaustion and stroke, exposure to the sun can also result in severe sunburn. In addition to being uncomfortable, the severest cases can present specific medical problems, including third-degree burns. To prevent sunburn, wear a hat to protect your head and neck. Wearing light-colored clothing is also helpful. Use plenty of sun block (SPF 15 or above) on all exposed areas, and remember to reapply it frequently.

Hypothermia

Interestingly, hypothermia is a common hazard in many of Arizona's backcountry areas. Sudden changes in weather can bring on cold rain or even snow, especially in the high country. This combination of cold and wet can cause the body's core temperature to drop to dangerous levels. Symptoms include uncontrollable shivering, impaired judgment, deteriorating speech, drowsiness, and weakness.

Hypothermia can be an efficient killer, but it is treatable. As soon as possible, replace wet clothing with dry and place the victim in a prewarmed sleeping bag. It may also be necessary to huddle with the victim to help warm him or her up. Give warm liquids and high-energy food, and get the victim to a doctor as soon as possible. As with any backcountry hazard, prevention is the best course of action. Avoid getting wet and cold in the first place, carry spare clothing and rain gear, and eat plenty of high-energy foods.

Lightning

Lightning is a killer in Arizona, and not just in the higher terrain. The Mogollon Rim, in fact, holds the dubious honor of having one of the highest rates of lightning strikes in the country. It is certainly best to avoid open terrain during electrical storms. This means keeping a watchful eye on the weather. Watch for clouds building up, especially in the afternoon, although lightning can occur at any time. If you should happen to be caught, retreat to a flat area or depression. Stay away from tall trees. Caves and deep alcoves are safe, as are cars, but shallow rock overhangs, ravines, and tents are not.

Flash Floods

Flash floods are a common hazard in Arizona, especially in desert areas where bare ground tends to shed runoff rather than absorb it. If storm clouds are building, avoid washes, canyon bottoms, and creek beds. Also, do not attempt to drive across flooded roadways. Typically, such floods will recede within an hour or two.

Wildlife

As one might expect, the deserts of Arizona are home to a variety of venomous creatures: scorpions, black widow spiders, Gila monsters, and rattlesnakes, to name four. While the bite of any of these creatures can cause medical problems (and even death in some cases), the chance of your being bitten is actually quite remote. Rattlesnakes, for instance, avoid people just as much as people avoid them. To avoid unwanted encounters with venomous creatures, stay away from rocky areas where such species might be hiding. If bitten, seek medical attention immediately.

Other creatures in the forests and deserts of Arizona may also pose a threat, although the possibilities are, again, quite remote. In recent years a number of black bear attacks on campers have been reported, especially in the southeastern mountains. These conflicts have mostly arisen, however, because people have not taken the proper precautions. Be sure to store all food at least 10 feet off the ground, strung up in a tree away from camp. Many campgrounds are now equipped with bearproof trash containers, and signs have been posted warning visitors that they are in bear country. It is conceivable that mountain lions might pose a threat, although the chances of seeing one are extremely rare.

A danger recently discovered in the American Southwest is hantavirus, a deadly disease that strikes its victims swiftly. Hantavirus is thought to be transmitted through contact with rodents, particularly deer mice, or their droppings. Hikers and campers should avoid contact with rodents and rodent burrows, stay out of rodent-infested structures such as abandoned cabins and shelters, sleep in a tent (not on open ground), and store food in rodent-proof containers.

A relatively recent hazard in the Arizona backcountry: Africanized, or "killer," bees. Spreading north following their accidental introduction in Brazil some years ago, these overly aggressive bees have recently reached the American Southwest. There have been reports of people being attacked in the Phoenix and Tucson areas, and some have been killed in Texas and California. While their sting is no worse than that of an ordinary bee, these bees will defend their hives with incredible ferocity. The best defense against Africanized bees is to avoid their hives altogether. If you do find yourself near a beehive, move away slowly. If you are attacked, your best bet is to run away as fast as you can, but keep in mind that they may follow you up to a half a mile away. Seek medical assistance as quickly as possible.

Giardia

Although not deadly, Giardia lamblia is a real hazard that plagues most parts of Arizona. A microorganism that is now found in most open water sources (streams, pools, ponds, and lakes, for example), Giardia can cause digestive tract problems if ingested. Symptoms include severe diarrhea, which may not appear until a week or two later, and treatment requires a doctor's attention.

Prevention is the only sensible means of dealing with Giardia. Essentially, you should not drink any surface water without first treating it properly. This means either filtering the water with a specially designed filter system (Giardia cysts are very small) or boiling it for at least three minutes for every 1,000 feet. For day hikes, simply bring along all the water you need.

Getting Lost and Found

For even the most experienced hiker, the possibility of becoming hurt or lost is real. First-time hikers should not travel alone, and seasoned veterans should consider taking a companion on more difficult hikes. Regardless of your ability, however, you should always let someone know where you are going. If you do become injured or disoriented, above all remain calm. Hopefully, another hiker or a backcountry ranger will happen along.