As I have completed my second year of college, for the summer I decided I wanted to take a trip. About a month ago I began planning my trip. I thought about all the normal major hot spots like Grand Canyon NP, Sequoia NP, and Yosemite NP, but it turns out each of those spots have waiting list and calendar algorithms that you use to reserve a camping spot 6 month in advance. And Grand Canyon backcountry permits that allow you to camp inside the Canyon itself are either all reserved or only available by lottery the day of the hike and in person. So it’s a big risk to just show up and hope you get a permit, which can turn very expensive if you don’t get a permit.
The idea of visiting the local deserts came from my previous trip to Joshua Tree NP. Surviving the incredibly adventurous Geology Tour route and Berdoo Canyon Road. I felt like I could tackle the entire Mojave Desert.
This is a timeline and the stages of preparation I went through leading up to the overnight trip to Death Valley.
“Death” is in its name
After much contemplation and realizing that I was a little late in trying to arrange accommodations to any of the popular national parks, Death Valley became a no brainer. Especially after I sought advice on Facebook and was met with total resistance, I knew I would have no problems making accommodations since no one wanted to go there.
1 Month Out
In the 30 days prior, I started to take inventory of all the equipment I already had, making sure everything was still usable and making a wish list of the stuff that’s need (or wanted, comfort items and upgrades.) With the wish list made I was able to buy things in increments, $20 to $30 dollars each paycheck, instead of buying everything at once. Also I made a budget; keeping a budget helped me from making outrageous or frivolous purchases like a $300 down parka for an area with 116F temperatures.
3 Weeks Out
I starting checking the major components like setting up my tent, checking to see if any of the tent poles needed repairing or replacing; looking for holes in the mesh, or just cleaning it out from the last trip.
For this trip I ordered a used single person tent from eBay. I didn’t want to invest a super amount of money (staying in a budget), plus who knew if I would like solo camping. A draw back was that the tent was used. It had obvious signs of wear but with a $10 patch kit the tent was good as new. A good wash didn’t hurt it either. In preparation I set up my tent, inflated my air mattress, and laid out my sleeping bag just to make sure I would be comfortable.
2 Weeks Out
Any little items that I could buy at my local Wal-Mart started to be considered. I made sure I had my cook set prepared, started making sure the items fit in my backpack, and also making some hikes with a loaded pack to feel the weight of the pack on a trail.
For this trip I am reusing all the cookware from when my mom took me camping as a child. I just check to make sure there was no rust on any of the items. And adjusted to my needs like 1 plate and 1 cup instead of the full set of 4.
1 Week Out
I started to consider what I will eat and wear in the desert. I started to check my clothes (and made sure they still fit!)
One problem I did overthink was food storage. Because the temperatures range from a low of 90°F to a high of 120°F I began to overthink, and honestly complicate, how I was going to keep my drinks cold. I even began to contemplate a $300 Yeti cooler. Finally after many days, of YouTube videos and reading product reviews, I finally went with the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) method. I hard walled cooler with periodic ice refilled is all that is necessary since there is a general store located within the park.
48 Hours Out
Now its two days before I plan to head out and I’m still freaking out which just makes me realize that no matter how much I prepare, there will always be something I feel like I’m forgetting.
So my plan is to stick to my deadline for myself and head out. Adapt and overcome is anything comes up and prepare for the next trip.