[pct-l] night hiking in the desert

[Nia Schmald]

Hi Folks,

I'm a late entry into the class of '09.  Looking forward to meeting as 
many of you as possible on the trail.  I've got a fair amount of 
experience hiking in the sierras but very little in the desert.

A was reading a journal that said many were hiking through the night to 
avoid the heat.  I was planning on a siesta and hiking at twilight.  But 
hadn't really considered the need for hiking many hours in the dark.
So is this what most people do?  If so how well is the trail marked in 
these areas.  I was planning on taking only a photon rex, which can be 
bright enough for night hiking on well marked trails, but only has 
enough battery power to do that for a couple hours.  Are most people 
taking larger headlamps for hiking through the night?

Anything else I should be aware of in the desert, besides keeping well 
hydrated?

Thanks for your help,
nia (aka giggles)