Desert Sense: Camping, Hiking, and Biking in Hot, Dry Climates »

How to make your way safely in the desert, no matter what your mode of travel* Techniques for traversing desert terrain-by vehicle, by mountain bike, or on foot * Strategies for comfort, safety, and survival in extreme conditions * Selecting gear and equipment for this special environment Like any desert aficionado, Bruce Grubbs is obsessed with water: how much to bring, how to carry it, how to conserve it, and how to find it in the backcountry. But desert exploration involves much more. Grubbs provides the knowledge and skills you need to move through this landscape with confidence. In addition to techniques for hiking and mountain biking special to desert conditions, Grubbs tells how to prepare your vehicle for remote desert roads and how to avoid getting stuck in sand or busting a tire. He discusses navigating in the desert, "dry camping" skills, and techniques for minimum impact on this starkly beautiful but fragile environment. There are tips for dealing with desert heat-and cold-and other challenges (sharp spiny plants and venomous snakes are easy to avoid with a little preparation and know-how). But just in case, Grubbs troubleshoots the worst-case scenarios. Throughout, he gives an understanding of desert climate and seasons, and the unique plants and creatures at home in it. Bruce Grubbs has explored the Southwest for more than 35 years as a hiker, climber, mountain biker, kayaker, and cross-country skier. A contributing editor for The Sojourner, the online magazine of the Adventure Radio Society, Grubbs has also contributed to Backpacker magazine's Know How and Weekend Wilderness sections. He is the author of Best Loop Hikes: Arizona, among other titles.