Surviving The Desert on the PCT
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Also, a couple of points on rattlesnakes. Rattlesnakes are like people. Some are moody and some aren't. I've seen them completely docile and I've seen them super aggressive and because of that nature, don't expect them to always rattle. That's a common misconception. If they're lying at the edge of a trail and feel that you can't see them, they may not rattle. They'd rather not draw attention to themselves and may only rattle as a last defense. They are not looking to attack people. They are scared to death of us but will stand their ground if cornered.
Also, the venom will not bleed out if you allow it to bleed. I say this only because I would hate for anyone to feel like the bite may not be as bad because it bled well. Imagine a shot in the arm from a doctor. The medicine will not bleed out of your arm if you let it bleed instead of covering it with a cotton swab. Once it's injected into a muscle, it's done. If you're bitten in a vein or artery, the bite can be extremely life threatening. A bite from a large specimen in, for example, the femoral artery could lead to death in minutes so always be aware when it snake country.
Date: 2020-08-18
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Comments and reviews: 9
Courtney
Watching your videos makes me feel more relaxed about my 2020 PCT plans. Not that I'm binge watching them on repeat and taking notes. or anything lol. I'm so grateful that you took the time to put all this information out there for scaredy cats like me who have visions of waking up covered in tarantulas even in a closed tent LOL. When. not really going to happen.
As far as anyone who's honestly concerned about immigrants murdering you, I live in Southern California. Trust me, folks who are trying to make it here to have a better life have so much more to worry about than finding PCT hikers to kidnap. Like staying alive and stuff like that. There are bad people in every group, but a lot of the hype over that kind of thing is sheer media nonsense. I'm way more afraid of getting attacked by literally anyone in a crowded city than the hypothetical person in the desert, so I'm glad you made it clear that danger is everywhere and it's nothing to get worried about.
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Watching your videos makes me feel more relaxed about my 2020 PCT plans. Not that I'm binge watching them on repeat and taking notes. or anything lol. I'm so grateful that you took the time to put all this information out there for scaredy cats like me who have visions of waking up covered in tarantulas even in a closed tent LOL. When. not really going to happen.
As far as anyone who's honestly concerned about immigrants murdering you, I live in Southern California. Trust me, folks who are trying to make it here to have a better life have so much more to worry about than finding PCT hikers to kidnap. Like staying alive and stuff like that. There are bad people in every group, but a lot of the hype over that kind of thing is sheer media nonsense. I'm way more afraid of getting attacked by literally anyone in a crowded city than the hypothetical person in the desert, so I'm glad you made it clear that danger is everywhere and it's nothing to get worried about.
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Kavik
Note. in the desert, the temps can change between night and day by at least 20 degrees. The human body cannot properly adjust to such fast temperature changes. So, this does mean that if you do not have the proper sleeping gear, you could become hyperthermia. I have seen this when I was in the Marine Corps station at 29 Palms. which is just East of the PCT. I have also seen guys so dehydrated that the medic could not start an IV through the normal means with a needle. he had to get the Marine to drink the saline solution (the IV. When were in the field. quite often we would cowboy camp as Dixie puts it. But, we would dig a hole that was at least 6 inches deep, and use the dirt to create mound around it. Then we slept in the hole. This method would help to get us out of the wind a bit, and keep us a little warmer.
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Note. in the desert, the temps can change between night and day by at least 20 degrees. The human body cannot properly adjust to such fast temperature changes. So, this does mean that if you do not have the proper sleeping gear, you could become hyperthermia. I have seen this when I was in the Marine Corps station at 29 Palms. which is just East of the PCT. I have also seen guys so dehydrated that the medic could not start an IV through the normal means with a needle. he had to get the Marine to drink the saline solution (the IV. When were in the field. quite often we would cowboy camp as Dixie puts it. But, we would dig a hole that was at least 6 inches deep, and use the dirt to create mound around it. Then we slept in the hole. This method would help to get us out of the wind a bit, and keep us a little warmer.
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Power
Dixie - thanks for the info, I think you played it well. Just want to reiterate, scorpions are no joke and I had a friend almost lose his leg because of being Zapped by one. They like to crawl into your sleeping bag so I would take special care if you decide to Cowboy camp. You will find them all the way up to and over the 10, 000' elevation mark. All in all, the desert will be a great experience. You just have to keep your wits about you. Thanks again for the video and please keep them coming. Anaagodziiht
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Dixie - thanks for the info, I think you played it well. Just want to reiterate, scorpions are no joke and I had a friend almost lose his leg because of being Zapped by one. They like to crawl into your sleeping bag so I would take special care if you decide to Cowboy camp. You will find them all the way up to and over the 10, 000' elevation mark. All in all, the desert will be a great experience. You just have to keep your wits about you. Thanks again for the video and please keep them coming. Anaagodziiht
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Taylor
I live in the desert, and anyone planning on hiking the PCT please be careful about rattlesnakes at night. You will probably mostly see them during the day, but in the hot summer months they're more active at night than during the day. You'll definitely need a head lamp for this time of the year. Also if you find a dead one don't touch them because they can still bite you or hold down their head or cut it off before you touch the snake (some people like to keep their rattle, which is why I say this)
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I live in the desert, and anyone planning on hiking the PCT please be careful about rattlesnakes at night. You will probably mostly see them during the day, but in the hot summer months they're more active at night than during the day. You'll definitely need a head lamp for this time of the year. Also if you find a dead one don't touch them because they can still bite you or hold down their head or cut it off before you touch the snake (some people like to keep their rattle, which is why I say this)
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Pete
Dixie, I did think the desert would be terrible until I watched your film hiking thru it. Looked fantastic! (except maybe the Mohave part, LOL) Can't describe how much everyone has loved your films! You've got to be the cutest, toughest, intelligent lady I've ever seen and if I didn't have 30 years on you, I'd be chasing you up the CDT this year! I was in the engineering field also and wish I'd met you there. Keep going and I'll keep praying for your success!
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Dixie, I did think the desert would be terrible until I watched your film hiking thru it. Looked fantastic! (except maybe the Mohave part, LOL) Can't describe how much everyone has loved your films! You've got to be the cutest, toughest, intelligent lady I've ever seen and if I didn't have 30 years on you, I'd be chasing you up the CDT this year! I was in the engineering field also and wish I'd met you there. Keep going and I'll keep praying for your success!
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Phoenix
The only time I saw a tarantula hiking in the Southern California desert was on a night hike on Mt. Wilson. My boyfriend Steve bought these cheap rechargable flashlights. They ended up dying on our descent. When I finally got one to turn on for a few seconds, sitting to my right on the same huge rock with me was a very large tarantula. Fortunately, it did not bite me. Since then, I have always made sure to carry multiple light sources while hiking.
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The only time I saw a tarantula hiking in the Southern California desert was on a night hike on Mt. Wilson. My boyfriend Steve bought these cheap rechargable flashlights. They ended up dying on our descent. When I finally got one to turn on for a few seconds, sitting to my right on the same huge rock with me was a very large tarantula. Fortunately, it did not bite me. Since then, I have always made sure to carry multiple light sources while hiking.
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James
Excellent video with lots of useful information about desert hiking. Was amused to see my name on your sample of the water report -- I'm Professor and maintain the water cache at Scissors Crossing. I especially enjoyed following your PCT odyssey, lots of memorable moments like I remember that place! and aw, Dixie skipped a nice town. Also, kudos for the links to lighterpack. It's helped shave a lot of excess weight! :)
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Excellent video with lots of useful information about desert hiking. Was amused to see my name on your sample of the water report -- I'm Professor and maintain the water cache at Scissors Crossing. I especially enjoyed following your PCT odyssey, lots of memorable moments like I remember that place! and aw, Dixie skipped a nice town. Also, kudos for the links to lighterpack. It's helped shave a lot of excess weight! :)
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Pierre
Hey Dixie, I just want to thank you deeply for the amount of inspiration your work is giving me. You really are a nice person. I'm a french dude planning to do the PCT in 2019, but I have to admit i'm really scared about snakes. It has always been an issue for me, but I feel like it's time to face this. I hope i'll find the courage. Anyway your videos helps a lot. Take care.
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Hey Dixie, I just want to thank you deeply for the amount of inspiration your work is giving me. You really are a nice person. I'm a french dude planning to do the PCT in 2019, but I have to admit i'm really scared about snakes. It has always been an issue for me, but I feel like it's time to face this. I hope i'll find the courage. Anyway your videos helps a lot. Take care.
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Jukka
I do like your posts, so much information in such a short time and even understandable for a non-english speaking person like me: -) I did the Araroa Trail and my main source of carbohydrate was rice, but I looks like there are almost no one else carrying rice - I wonder why is that? I use pot cosy, so basically I jus boil to water and let the cosy do the job.
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I do like your posts, so much information in such a short time and even understandable for a non-english speaking person like me: -) I did the Araroa Trail and my main source of carbohydrate was rice, but I looks like there are almost no one else carrying rice - I wonder why is that? I use pot cosy, so basically I jus boil to water and let the cosy do the job.
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