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Danilo Cam
Hi there. I'm looking to do some camping while on a one week trip through New Mexico. Seems a lot more fun to grab some time under the stars rather than spend each night in a motel.
My question: What's my best bet to comfortably sleep outside while in the southwest in August? I'd prefer to do it without a tent. Do I need a sleeping bag? Sleeping pad? No fear of the outdoors here, just never roughed it quite this thoroughly.
Thanks for your help!
Answer
It does get chilly overnight in NM, even in summer, especially on clear nights. You definitely need a pad to sleep on both to insulate your body and for comfort. If you're on a budget you can get a 24" x 72" "egg-crate" foam pad pretty cheaply -- I've even bought the ones you can use as a mattress topper from a discount store. If you can afford a little more, get a cloth-covered one from a camping store. On-line, CampMor's catalog has good deals. Take a small tarp or old shower curtain to put under it to keep it clean and dry. For a sleeping bag, either get an inexpensive light nylon bag with polyester fill or get one of the inexpensive polar-pile zippered bags AND a travel sheet liner (you can get these at CampMor or in places like Bed, Bath and Beyond.) The advantage of using the travel-sheet and polar-pile bag together is if you get too warm you can fold pack the pile and sleep under the sheet only.
Though it is great to sleep under the stars there is always the possibility of a shower and, more importantly, critters that will want to crawl in that nice warm bag with you (I don't want to scare you, but I woke up once in southern Utah to find a tiny scorpion had crawled in with me -- I was able to shoo him out and neither of us got hurt). I'd recommend getting a mosquito-netting backpacking type tent with a separate rain fly. I have one and it's nice to sleep out with the open sky but the protection of having the netting keeping the insects, ground squirrels and even tumbleweeds from landing on you. And if it starts to rain you can quickly clip on the rainfly. You can even get what's called a "bivy bag" which is a nylon sleeping bag cover that has like a mini tent of bug netting at the end around your head. CampMor has those as well. You could probably get everything you need for under $100. Here are links to examples of what I'm describing:
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=7581&memberId=12500226
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39293865&memberId=12500226
Have a great trip -- NM is a beautiful state.
What are the dangerous critters in the Sonoran desert?
jas2world
I plan on doing camping all over Arizona, New Mexico, and Northern Mexico. What little beasties do I need to look out for? Specific specie names would be appreciated.
Answer
Depending on the regions that you will be visiting, the biggest animal dangers (aside from humans) are rattlesnakes. There are several different species of rattlesnake in the southwest, but the severity of their bites are all similar. While few people actually die from the bites, it is very painful and does a lot of tissue damage. If you are bitten you should get to a hospital.
Rattlesnakes (family Crotalidae) are easily identified by the rattle on the end and by the shovel-shaped heads. Most adults are in the 2-6 foot long range, colors are usually drab and range from tans and greys to dark browns. Most rattlesnakes are generally not aggressive and will either slither away or warn you (with the rattle) if possible. Your biggest danger is accidentally surprising one by stepping on it or reaching into a crevise where it is resting. Be careful where you put your hands and feet. They can be anywhere, but be especially careful in rocky areas and along streambeds.
The small Arizona Coral Snake (Micruroides euryxanthus) is also venomous, but it is very shy and rarely seen. It is a small colorful snake that looks similar to a King snake. As others have mentioned, the large scary-looking Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) is poisenous and has a nasty bite (it chews its venom into the prey rather than injecting like rattlesnakes). However, it is also rarely seen and moves very slow. Most of the people that get bitten are those that foolishly try to pick one up.
Scorpions and centipedes are common in all the desert areas and are especially active at night (during the day the often hide under rocks and logs - watch your hands). Most have mild stings similar to a bee, but the small and slender bark scorpion (Centruroides exilicauda) has a much stronger toxin that can cause severe pain and issues with the nervous system for several days.
Black window spiders (L. hesperus) and Brown Recluse or Fiddleback spiders (Loxosceles arizonica) are found throughout the southwest, but seem to like houses and structures (I rarely see them while camping or hiking). Most people bitten by these in or around their homes. Tarantulas are common and can give a painful bite, but they are not poisenous and are very docile. You practically have to hurt one before it will try to bite you.
When camping in the desert, always shake out boots and clothes before putting them on and avoid walking around barefoot.
Black Bears are found in the forested mountain areas, but are rarely seen (there have been a few attack incidents - mostly in campgrounds where bears have come looking for food). Mountain Lions (aka Pumas) are also very common throughout the southwest, but they are usually very shy of humans. You will probably not see any, although some will probably see you. :)
I have been hiking, camping and backpacking all around Arizona and New Mexico for 20+ years and have only seen mountain lions, bears, or Gila Monsters a couple times each. Scorpions and centepedes are easy to find if you want to, but have never given me any problems if you keep your stuff protected and don't go in barefeet. Rattlesnakes on the other hand, I run into quite frequently and have had a few close-calls, though I have never been bitten.
Sadly, if you are going to be traveling near the border, then your biggest threat is going to be fellow humans. AZ and NM is where a lot of illegal immigrants enter the US and the whole area is something of a war zone. Most are not looking for trouble, but their guides can be dangerous and there is much drug-running in the area too. You will probably be stopped by Border Patrol agents and possibly have to deal with militias. It is a real mess - I no longer camp or even hike within 20 miles of the border.
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