Some matters should be flexibly adjusted according to individual circumstances.
1. Clothing: During May Day and National Day, temperatures in the desert are relatively high. In previous years around these holidays, under clear and windless conditions, daytime temperatures in the desert hinterland ranged from 25-40°C, with ground surface temperatures peaking at over 60°C around 2 PM, while nighttime temperatures hover around 15°C. On cloudy or windy days, temperatures can suddenly drop to around 10°C. Therefore, it is recommended to dress appropriately for both warmth and heat protection based on your own condition.
Suggested clothing: Adjust flexibly according to individual constitution—windbreaker pants + quick-dry pants + moisture-wicking undergarments + fleece pants + neck gaiter + hat.
Choose lightweight, high-cut professional hiking shoes. The shoe upper should preferably be full-grain leather or another tightly woven material—avoid those with large mesh holes to prevent fine sand from getting between the shoe and waterproof coating. Professional hiking shoes provide excellent support for the ankles and feet, reducing fatigue in the feet and calves and also lowering the risk of sprains.
2. Diet: For some crossing activities where water and food must be carried by yourself, based on past experience, you should drink 3-5 liters of water per day. Choose simple, easily digestible, high-energy dry foods that are not prone to spoilage, along with a small amount of fruit, and try to minimize water-intensive foods.
3. To prevent blisters, replace the insoles of your hiking boots with new ones (replace if used for over 100 km), and carry some band-aids to apply immediately if you feel any discomfort on your feet. Also, switch to new, professional hiking socks (with thicker padding on the heels and soles).
4. To reduce the load, try to share some common equipment with your teammates. It’s recommended that four people share one set of cooking gear, two or three people share one tent, and use foam mats as sleeping pads.
5. Sandstorms: The probability of sandstorms in the Kubuqi Desert is very low, and their intensity is not strong, so they do not pose significant danger. Don’t fear sandstorms—in fact, encountering one in the desert isn’t a terrifying problem. When a sandstorm arrives, temperatures drop, reducing the body’s water loss, and though it may slow your pace, it doesn’t hinder normal walking. Just wear protective goggles, a mask, and a neck gaiter, seal your camera gear properly, and marching through the cool sandstorm can even be an interesting experience. As long as you follow the team leader’s instructions, there won’t be safety issues. Organizers should quickly regroup the team when a sandstorm hits to prevent stragglers from getting lost.
(Just think—how many chances in life do you get to hike while a sandstorm rages around you?)
6. Controlling your water intake: In the wild, everyone’s tolerance to thirst varies. Start drinking plenty of water two days before departure to store enough fluids in your body. Once in the desert, especially around noon while carrying a backpack and walking, you’ll sweat heavily. At this point, it's crucial to drink water regularly—no more than 100 ml at a time, every 30 minutes. A small bottle of mineral water can last you about two hours. Typically, start hydrating after walking for an hour in the morning, keep lunchtime water intake between 400-500 ml, and dinner around 500-600 ml. Regulating your water intake while walking is a test of your adaptability and self-discipline. Without such control, the desert may not be for you.
7. Team spirit while walking: Team members vary in physical fitness. The key to addressing these differences—essentially, managing speed differences—is remembering that you’re participating in a group activity, not going solo. No matter how capable you are, this isn’t the time to show off. Save your extra energy to help others lighten their load. Helping your teammates reach the destination together means far more than arriving slightly ahead on your own.
8. Controlling marching speed and taking scheduled breaks are key to arriving safely and on time. When starting a loaded desert trek, take a 3-5 minute break every 30-40 minutes. After several hours, reduce walking time and increase rest frequency. Strictly manage break and walking times, maintaining a speed of about 2.5-3 km/h. Of course, adjust flexibly based on weather, desert route conditions, and team composition.
9. Communication within the team: The leader, tail-end person, and group leaders must stay in constant contact to monitor the overall status of the team, respond promptly to emergencies based on feedback from sub-groups, and ensure no part of the team loses contact with others.
10. Setting up camp: After inserting the tent poles, angle the inner tent’s least wind-facing corner toward the wind. When driving in tent stakes, first remove loose surface sand—about 20 cm down, you'll hit firmer, damp sand that can securely hold the stakes. Drive the stakes in at an angle greater than 45 degrees into the damp sand, which can generally withstand winds up to force 7-8. After securing the stakes, pile sand over the three non-door sides of the tent to enhance wind resistance and warmth. In winter, bring a hammer for setting up camp in the desert.
11. Walking in sand: When carrying a load and climbing dunes, using trekking poles with large snow baskets can significantly reduce leg strain, especially on uphill sections—they can take on at least a quarter of your body weight, delaying fatigue and increasing walking speed.
12. When ascending, it’s best to follow in the footprints of the person ahead—it’s almost like stepping on stairs. With trekking pole support, you can easily scale the dunes.
13. On flat terrain, avoid following directly in others’ footprints. Instead, walk about ten centimeters away from the trodden path.
14. When temperatures reach 30°C without wind, it’s wise to stop and wait. Around midday, if the sun makes it too hot, find a high sand ridge nearby, brush away the loose sand to expose damp sand, sit down, and use your trekking poles and backpack to prop up your windbreaker as a makeshift sunshade. The light breeze, shade, and cool damp sand reduce water loss and prevent heatstroke. Alternatively, set up the inner tent for shelter.
15. With limited daylight hours, extend walking time into the night. Under insufficient moonlight, the lead person can use a powerful flashlight to scout the route, while others follow footprints using headlamps.
16. All group leaders and members should assist one another, ensuring every member stays within sight at all times. Absolutely no one should wander out of the leader’s or group’s view (wait for everyone after using the restroom), and be especially vigilant about roll calls when encountering larger teams.
17. While walking, you may encounter footprints from earlier groups. To avoid taking a wrong turn or deviating from your leader’s route, the person breaking trail should agree in advance with all groups and members on the style of trail markers. In the desert, you can create unique directional signs on the sand surface and inform all groups via walkie-talkie.
18. To ensure every member gets adequate hydration, distribute individual water rations as much as possible during camp setup and cooking. Each person should proactively drink their own water supply—don’t be overly polite or compete for others’ water or food.
19. Fast breakdown of camp: Don’t fold sleeping bags—just grab a corner and stuff it forcefully into the compression sack, packing one in just seconds. When packing the tent, don’t fold the inner or outer layers—casually stuff them on top of the sleeping bag in your pack and press down. This method greatly speeds up camp teardown. Fold everything properly once you’re home and have time to clean up.
20. Insert two small bottles of mineral water on either side of your backpack for easy access.
21. Loaded desert trekking consumes a lot of energy. It’s recommended to eat a small amount of high-calorie trail food during breaks around 9-10 AM and 3-4 PM to replenish energy—not waiting until you’re extremely hungry.
22. Camera use: Fine desert sand can cling to you unnoticed. Be cautious when taking out your camera—brush sand off your hands and body first to avoid contact with the camera. If sand does get on it, blow it off forcefully with your mouth. Avoid using your camera in windy conditions, and seal it in a protective bag or case.
23. For teams carrying all their own gear, in case of emergencies such as a member falling ill or running low on water and food, stop immediately to rest and ration water. Quick emergency response and decision-making are vital—seek outside help or notify pre-arranged support vehicles if necessary.
24. Walking and resting in the desert: Due to the desert’s unique terrain, start with a steady pace to adapt—walk at your own rhythm to gradually overcome fatigue. When encountering steep sand dunes, follow the leader’s guidance to go around rather than straight up to conserve energy. Fatigue periods vary by individual, usually lasting about an hour. Push through this period and you’ll adapt. Generally, take a 3-5 minute break every 30 minutes of walking. Never leave the group or wander out of the leader’s sight. Report any issues to the leader and act only after permission.
25. Preparation of food and water, and energy/nutrition replenishment: Food should be prepared as specified. In the desert, individual water needs vary, so it is recommended to drink plenty of water in the days leading up to the trip to help your body store as much moisture as possible. When walking with a load in the desert, use the method of drinking small amounts of water frequently to stay hydrated—avoid unscientific drinking habits. As everyone knows, trekking with a load through the desert consumes a great deal of physical energy. Therefore, all team members are required to replenish food and nutrients promptly, whether during camp meals or on-the-go snacks. Do not skip energy intake just because you’re tired and want to rest longer or avoid moving—doing so can have serious consequences, leading to severe physical exhaustion and safety risks. If any team member experiences symptoms such as palpitations or physical weakness, report them immediately to the team leader or the sweep, and take timely action.