Live Your Best Lives
Some people always say a desert hike is a must-do in a lifetime. Why is it so popular? There are three reasons: First, in today's fast-paced world, where people live in cold, concrete cities, even the most melodious ringtones seem almost life-threatening. Nature has become relegated to images and text. So, we need to surrender ourselves to nature once and for all! Second, the words "outdoor sports" and "pushing your limits" seem so far away. Even with a fluttering heart, pinching your belly, protected only by fat, makes the thought seem like a fantasy. So, we need to challenge ourselves to push our limits! Third, scrolling through our daily WeChat Moments—the pictures of mountains, rivers, local delicacies, and bungee jumping are all posted by others. But look at your own WeChat Moments: besides work, we're all about maintaining our health, and the occasional unexpected moment is just "The flowers in the neighborhood are blooming so beautifully." So, we need to have a WeChat Moments post that breaks 100 likes!
Purely dedicated off-road desert hiking still requires extensive outdoor experience and knowledge, valuable specialized equipment, and comprehensive destination information. However, for a more experiential approach, desert hikes under 80 kilometers offer a completely accessible experience for anyone in good health. Many professional outdoor organizations now offer these experiential desert hikes, complete with professional support teams, guides, and even gear. Therefore, if you're new to outdoor activities, these are still highly recommended. While the lack of entry requirements makes it easier to participate, the final few dozen kilometers of steady, step-by-step walking are truly rewarding and provide a profound sense of accomplishment.
The Tengger Desert is located in the southeastern part of the Alxa Plateau. "Tengger" is Mongolian and means "sky." Dominated by shifting sand dunes, it is my country's fastest-moving desert. The desert contains 422 lake basins of varying sizes, most of which are grass lakes with no visible water, ranging in size from 1 to 100 square kilometers. Of these, 251 contain accumulated water, primarily spring-fed and temporarily collected.
Because the southern part of the Tengger Desert is dotted with lake basins, the landscape of deserts and lakes is diverse, and transportation is relatively convenient near the city, many outdoor organizations have organized experiential desert hiking in the Tengger Desert in recent years.
The Kubuqi Desert is China's seventh-largest desert. "Kubuqi" means "bow string" in Mongolian, deriving its name from its location beneath the Yellow River, which resembles a bow string suspended above it. The eastern part of the Kubuqi Desert has relatively good water conditions, making it a semi-arid zone. This desert boasts excellent light, heat, and water resources, making it ideal for growing both food and cash crops. The eastern, central, and western parts of the desert each have distinct characteristics, with the central and eastern parts receiving more rainfall and the western part receiving abundant heat.
So now most of the Kubuqi Desert hiking is concentrated in the eastern part. However, because there are more signs of human activities and plants growing on the desert, the Kubuqi Desert hiking will appear to have not yet left the human living area, and the desert also looks messy due to the growth of plants.
Originally covering 44,300 square kilometers, it is located on the Alxa Plateau in western Inner Mongolia. "Badain Jaran," formerly known as "Badan Zalange," is Mongolian, its meaning unknown. The Badain Jaran Desert is almost entirely composed of shifting sand dunes, typically 200 to 300 meters high, with peaks reaching nearly 500 meters, making it the tallest in my country. Despite receiving less than 40 millimeters of annual rainfall, the desert boasts over 100 lakes. Towering sand dunes, mysterious singing sands, and tranquil lakes and wetlands create the unique and captivating landscape of the Badain Jaran Desert, attracting tens of thousands of domestic and international tourists annually.
Let's first list the equipment you need to prepare in advance for desert hiking
It is very important to have a pair of lightweight and breathable shoes for desert hiking. It is recommended to wear mid-to-high-top hiking shoes or boots, and a pair of sand covers to prevent sand from entering the shoes and affecting your walking.
Deserts experience extreme temperature swings between day and night, and the sun's rays are intense during the day. Therefore, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants that are breathable and sweat-wicking. In spring and autumn, add layers at night to prevent catching a cold. Choosing the right color for desert walking is also a bit tricky. It's recommended to wear dark clothing underneath, with a light-colored jacket underneath. This is because light-colored clothing, while heat-resistant, doesn't effectively block UV rays. Dark clothing, while heat-absorbent, effectively blocks UV rays. This combination of clothing provides both insulation and UV protection. When walking in the desert, evaporation is high, so long-sleeved shirts and pants are essential to cover your skin as much as possible to minimize evaporation.
Don't choose a backpack that is too big, because for long-distance hiking, you should try to travel light and only bring what is necessary.
A walking stick is a must-have and considered the top item in desert hiking gear. Using a walking stick properly can save 80% of your energy. To avoid excessive wear and tear on your skin and walking stick, the half-finger outdoor gloves shown above are also a great option.
There are also commonly used medicines, such as Huoxiang Zhengqi water, Band-Aids, Yunnan Baiyao spray, etc. These are all to increase the safety factor of your trip.
If you are taking the experience-level desert route mentioned above, you don’t have to worry about large items such as tents, moisture-proof mats, and walking sticks. Generally, you can rent or purchase a complete equipment package.
Forget about delicacies when you enter the desert; pragmatism reigns supreme! Eating in the desert requires a certain degree of abandonment of traditional Chinese eating habits. Texture and flavor are not paramount; energy is paramount! Bread, fruit, nuts, chocolate, energy bars, Red Bull—these are all excellent choices, providing a significant boost in energy with minimal consumption. Remember that a desert diet should be convenient, water-free, durable, and high in calories.
Outdoor sports can even make drinking water a skill. Avoid guzzling water outdoors! Drink small, frequent drinks to avoid wasting water. Hot water is ideal to replenish body heat. If you're drinking cold water, hold it in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing. This prevents irritation and discomfort from the cold water. The recommended daily water intake for each person is 4-5 liters per 24 hours.
When adjusting the length, the general rule is to stand up straight, let your upper arms hang naturally perpendicular to the ground, and bend your forearms to form a right angle with your upper arms. The length you grip the cane at is the appropriate length.
The wrist strap is a crucial component of a walking cane. Many people assume that it simply keeps the cane in place, but in reality, it's just as important as the cane itself. When descending a hill, the impact force on the cane should be transferred to the arm through the wrist strap. When climbing an uphill slope, the force from the arm is transferred to the trekking pole through the wrist strap, providing support for the ascent. The correct way to use the wrist strap is to lift it, insert your hand underneath it, press the strap into your palm, and then gently grasp the handlebars. Use the wrist strap to support the cane, rather than tightly gripping the handlebars.
Navigation is crucial in the desert, as reference points are scarce. Desert areas are also vast, so GPS signals are generally strong. However, before setting out, be sure to research whether your route contains mineral resources that could interfere with GPS. It's important to remember to use GPS, not a compass, for navigation during your trip.
If you do not have the relevant knowledge, it is recommended that you find an experienced local leader to lead you. Never venture into the desert alone.
When hiking in the desert, you must pay attention to your walking rhythm. Avoid frequent acceleration and deceleration. Adjust your pace and walk at a steady pace to save energy. Also, do not breathe through your mouth, as this will remove a lot of moisture from your body. Always breathe through your nose.
Day 1. Arrive in Yinchuan
Day 2. Terimutu, a desert transit station in Alxa Left Banner, Yinchuan
Day 3. Terimutu Lake and Aobao Nortu Star Lake
Day 4. Hike to Star Lake, Sun Lake, and Moon Lake, ending in Yinchuan
Day 5. Depart from Yinchuan
For the Tengger Desert hike, it's recommended to first arrive in Yinchuan. As the capital of Ningxia, Yinchuan offers convenient transportation, with more frequent flights and trains, and it's also easy to purchase gear and supplies. The hike passes by five lakes in the southern Tengger Desert (Moon Lake, Sun Lake, Star Lake, Terimutu, and Aobao Nortu). The entire route offers a diverse landscape, with a mix of desert and lakes, and convenient places to refuel. On the fourth day, after exiting the desert, you can return to Yinchuan for a short rest, shower, and change clothes before departing on the fifth day.
Day 1. Arrival in Baotou
Day 2. Baotou Engebei Zhaoxi Ranch
Day 3. Longtouguai at Zhaoxi Ranch
Day 4. Longtouguaiyinkentalabaotou
Day 5. Depart from Baotou
We recommend meeting in Baotou, a larger city in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, as it offers convenient transportation and supplies. The entire itinerary encompasses both deserts and pastures, satisfying your imagination.
Countless professional organizations are now offering free desert hikes. All you need is a plane ticket and a trip to the region. The desert and the sea are equally cherished dreams, but the desert even more appeals to our restless desire to challenge nature. The sunrise and sunset, the starry sky, the return to pristine nature after a few days of disconnection—these are enough to awaken us, numbed by concrete and work-related performance. Don't let this just be a one-year plan. Lack of exercise, outdoor experience, or equipment are no excuses for not getting started.
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