| When hiking in hot weather you are either hiking in | | | | can be some nasty insects in the desert. |
| the rainforest or in the desert. Both are complete | | | | Tropical Rainforest and Jungles |
| opposites of each other so your camping and | | | | By contrast, jungles and rainforests are teeming |
| hiking gear would be different also. | | | | with vegetation and a variety of wildlife, and has |
| Hiking in the Desert. | | | | a wet and humid climate. They can also be quite |
| Deserts are areas that receive less than 9 inches | | | | cool. |
| of rainfall annually. Water is scarce and you need | | | | The difference between jungles and rainforests is |
| to carry all your water. | | | | that jungles have a tangle of dense vegetation |
| The prospect of hiking in the desert may not | | | | and rainforest don't have that much undergrowth. |
| seem appealing. Who wants to walk for long | | | | You can find different species of flora and fauna |
| distances in a barren desolate, hot and dry | | | | that you've probably never seen before and it |
| landscape? | | | | could be an eye opening experience. |
| Yet the desert can be surprisingly beautiful in its | | | | Tropical rainforests and jungles are found in the |
| own special way. You can see cacti flowering | | | | tropics and subtropics near the equator in |
| after a desert storm, wild flowers in spring and | | | | Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa. |
| some interesting wildlife. Even the landscape in | | | | |
| itself is beautiful. | | | | Temperate Rainforests |
| There is usually a brief rainy season in many | | | | Temperate rainforests are found in places such |
| deserts in which sudden storms produce much of | | | | as New Zealand, Tasmania, Chile, Norway and the |
| the annual rainfall. Flash floods are likely during this | | | | Pacific Coast of North America and are home to |
| time particularly in canyons and steep-sided dry | | | | some of the largest trees in the world. |
| river beds. You have a better chance of finding | | | | Annual rainfall is high and evaporation is low and it |
| water after a wet season. | | | | is almost impossible to travel off-trail because the |
| Special Gear | | | | floor is a carpet of soft, decomposing stumps and |
| Besides super strength sunscreen you also need a | | | | new vegetation growth from fallen trees. |
| full body sun protection. Cover your whole body | | | | Sometimes wooden boardwalks are necessary to |
| to protect from the sun and wear a hat that | | | | protect fragile plant from hikers and hiker from |
| protects your head and face. | | | | the mud. |
| Carrying a water containers and a good water | | | | Special Gear |
| filter is a must as water found in the desert are is | | | | A good rain gear is essential in the rainforest and |
| often polluted. | | | | also might want to consider a tent with a full |
| You might not need a tent especially in the dry | | | | flysheet coverage. |
| season but a tarp can be useful in providing you | | | | There will also be a lot of insects in jungles and |
| shelter from the sun and wind. A poncho is useful | | | | rainforests so remember to bring insect repellent |
| in the desert for both sun and wind protection. | | | | and mosquito netting. |
| Even though the desert is hot, it can get very | | | | To get you through deep jungle mud you might |
| cold at night and the temperature difference is | | | | need to wear rubber jungle boots. Zip-lock bags |
| quite dramatic so make sure you also bring warm | | | | and waterproof bags are particularly useful in |
| clothing and a good sleeping bag. | | | | these areas to protect any electrical equipment, |
| Remember also to bring insect repellent as there | | | | clothes and maps. |