What to Bring
| Comfortable hiking shoes |
Not sneakers, running shoes, and definitely not sandals. This is one of the most important things you will need. Your whole hiking experience will be affected by your shoes.
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| WARM sleeping bag |
It can be very cold in the desert at night. Bring a sleeping bag rated to keep you warm down to freezing temperatures. You do not have to carry the sleeping bag on the hike; it will be kept in your duffel bag (see below). |
| Hiking Pants/Shorts |
Do not bring sweat pants to hike in - you need lightweight, synthetic pants or shorts intended for hiking. |
| HAT |
It’s important to protect your head and face from the sun. |
| Backpack |
Bring a medium-size backpack in which you can carry the food and water that will be provided and will give you a place to store extra layers. The weather can vary so having a few layers with you can be very helpful.
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| Headlamp/flashlight |
Headlamps are particularly helpful at night (especially while looking for the bathroom).
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| Duffle Bag |
Your duffel bag will be transported during the day and will be waiting for you when we reach the campsite in the evening. For the evening activities, warm clothing and comfortable footwear are a must. |
Camping in the Desert
After a long day of hiking, nothing is more welcoming than a beautiful campsite that has already been set up by our staff. Every hiker gets his or her own tent and sleeping pad (couples can share, of course). Tents are set up around a campfire, surrounded by comfortable futons where we can sit back and relax and share stories of the day’s adventures. Our hot dinners are delicious and accompanied by your choice of beverages. As we sit around the campfire, special guests will inspire you with stories of the miracles that happen at ALYN every day. Our campsites have toilets and a place for washing up.
Weather
The winter is the perfect time of year for hiking in the desert. The daytime temperatures are usually around 18-25 degrees Celsius/64-77 Fahrenheit. Nights are much colder, which why we strongly recommend that you bring a sleeping bag designed for lower temperatures.