What to wear for hiking in Death Valley??

[Appalonia]

I'm not a hiking kind of person, but I've agreed to go on this holiday with a friend. I don't wear shorts and have no hiking trousers, and especially not for a desert type climate. I'm at a bit of a loss to wear but I need to find something, as I'm going beginning of October. Apparently it's too hot for jeans, which are the only kind of utility clothes I wear. I'm more of a long dress, linen trousers kind of person. Any ideas as to what I could wear, as I'm starting to panic a bit!

It'll be about 28/30c, so hot - something like this

https://amzn.eu/d/hOk4pIU

i like these as they dry very quickly and have zippable pockets. You're going need new walking shoes I guess too?

Thank you. No offence but they're hideous( to me ). Was thinking maybe lightweight cargo pants? Maybe I could just wear leggings? I have trainers, but as I said, I don't hike. I'm a city girl. Why did I agree to this holiday?!

Are you actually going to hike? We went last summer. It was very very hot. I’d say a really good hat with neck protection. It’s incredibly dusty. Lots of sun protection.
I would suggest either summer weight hiking trousers - they will protect you from sunburn - or shorts.
sunglasses
You will probably need decent walking shoes. Not trainers. With good sweat wicking socks.
lots of water - much much more than you think you need. Probably electrolytes as well.
I love to hike - live in Switzerland and go as often as I can. Most weekends. But Death Valley im not so sure. It was so so hot, and dry. And I was surprised by how little amenities there were Eg few cafes or restaurants. No regular police patrols. Make sure to leave water in the car for when you return. There are no restaurants or cafes near the popular hiking spots.
The salt flats are fascinating. The hiking trails are rocky ans not particularly well marked in my opinion.
The roads away from the main roads are just rocky tracks.
In most of Death Valley there is no WiFi or actual phone reception-unless you are at the hotel so make sure your friend knows where she is going.
I would tell your hotel that you are going hiking and also what time you expect to be back. On that basis they can alert the authorities if you don’t come back at the expected time.

Do you know how far you are hiking? Most hiking in Death Valley falls into the moderate to intense hike category. Plus as a previous poster mentioned hiking in the states is very different than a lot of hiking/walking in Europe. Function is a lot more important than fashion. Is it too late to back out?

Are you actually hiking? On trails? How far?

Clothing for proper hiking is a matter of having clothing up to the job, not really. S&B matter!

I would find out what the temperature will be and how long your hikes will be.

You need lightweight clothing that wicks away sweat. Probably UV protective clothing. Nothing that chafes.

Try Cotswold Outdoors.

Good quality walking socks and boots, wide brimmed hat with ventilation panels, and a v comfortable rucksack that has breathable panels against your back.

Some of it may well be hideous but after 6 miles up hill in the heat comfort will be your only concern 😂

Also: insect repellent. Tick remover. Compeed blister plasters. You might like a ‘camelback’ type hydration system.

Is this holiday starting to sound more appealing? 😂

You don't have the right type of clothes? You don't have the right type of hiking boots? You're "not a hiking kind of person" and don't have much hiking experience?

Why on earth are you even thinking about going hiking in Death Valley?

I'm going with a male friend who isn't particularly fit, so maybe hike is too strong a word! He booked this holiday and is a poker player, so is going to Vegas and just added on Yosimite Park and Death Valley. He asked me if I'd like to come and after some prevaricating I said yes. So I'm a bit in the dark as to what it entails, so any advice would be really helpful!😁

Also: insect repellent. Tick remover. Compeed blister plasters. You might like a ‘camelback’ type hydration system

Oh God...

I don't know. Sounded like an adventure... ( lame emoji, if there was one...)😧

You can’t just “add on Yosemite and Death Valley”. What does that even mean? You’re 6 hours away from Yosemite on the Vegas Strip.

Has he hired a car? Will you stay in motels? What is the fucking plan here 😅

Also, don’t try and be stylish whilst hiking in Death Valley, that’s just absurd.

I didn't plan this trip. We're stopping off in Bishop on the way, so it won't be 6 hours.

You are going at a time of year when it is unlikely to be absolutely awful. The last time I was there it was in the 50s.

no, you can not wear jeans or leggings. You could die. I am not exaggerating. At best you would end up as one of those stupid tourists on the news who has to be rescued.

you need breathable, lightweight clothing that can adapt for changing weather. You need a wide brimmed hat. If you consider fashion in any of the planning, you have no business going on this hike.

I once just drove through Death Valley and we had to start rationing the many jugs of water we brought between ourselves and our car because we were ridiculously hot and thirsty as we had to turn off the a/c, but the car kept overheating despite being in excellent repair and getting a checkup before we set off on our journey. The car got the bulk of the water because of it had died, we would have died too. there was no one around for possibly 100s of miles and this pre-dated cell phones.

Oh dear...

I don’t know, but you might take a look at your life and realise you’ve got nothing left … 🎶

Sorry it just popped into my head 🙈😂

you need breathable, lightweight clothing that can adapt for changing weather

Thank you, but like what? I have no idea what that means?

The rest of it Vegas etc sounds like an adventure. I would do a drive around Death Valley and maybe a ten minute walk to take photos. Any more sounds too much. October will still be quite hot.

Haha reading Ponderings update maybe not even a drive

As someone who has visited Death Valley, I echo the other posters, if you are genuinely going hiking there, it’s not about style, it’s about survival. Speak to your friend. Find out exactly what he has planned. I’d be surprised if it actually involves any genuine hiking. If it does, perhaps invite him to reconsider!

eta I went in Sept and it was 50°c

The add ons make no sense unless you're going for an extended trip. Death Valley is not the same direction as Yosemite. You probably won't be hiking in Death Valley - there's a fairly well known driving route where you go to scenic points and get out and walk for a bit - we went in early spring and it was boiling. Yosemite Valley is 7 hrs drive from Vegas, but with stops/traffic etc it's easily more than that. There is then quite a bit of travelling within YP to see all the main sites and to hike trails. You'll need shorts and good walking boots.

I drove through Death Valley between LA and Vegas and whilst it was AMAZING, it also freaked me out. You don’t see anyone for hours and hours, no cars, no phone coverage, I kept panicking about breaking down. Also so so hot, like, not wanting to be out of the car for more than 10 mins hot. The place is otherworldly.

I don’t understand why you don’t know what the holiday is? As other say you don’t just ‘add on a Death Valley’ hike, unless you want to add to the death in the valley

I also went to a ‘ghost town’ there run by some crazy dude. We thought we were going to be murdered….proper weird creepy place

Which is why you go to a specialist Outdoor shop. With knowledgeable staff. Such as Cotswold Outdoors.

This sort of clothing is kind as ‘technical’ clothing because if it’s specific properties. And includes ‘breathable waterproofs’ such as Goretex.

And Yosemite! Read up on how to manage bear sightings when hiking.

OK, I think you need a discussion with your friend. Does he intend actual hiking, or more of a road trip / sightseeing out of the car window sort of visit.

Even then: research needed. I think you need a permit for Yosemite.

It will be breathtakingly spectacular.

I think you are insane. People die in the heat there. There are also tarantulas aplenty.

Do not hike in Death Valley. Just don’t do it.
If you want to hike consider somewhere else.