Desert rockhounding safety — extreme heat protocol for Southwest collectors

Summer hunting season in the Sonoran Desert requires treating it like a wilderness survival situation. I have been collecting in AZ and NM for 15 years and these are my non-negotiables. 1. Water: 1 liter per hour minimum in temperatures above 100F. More if scrambling. I carry a hydration bladder AND two 1-liter backup bottles. Never under-carry water. 2. Timing: Be at your site before sunrise, off the desert floor by 10am. Return at dusk if needed. The noon-to-3pm window in summer is genuinely dangerous. 3. Communication: Satellite communicator (Garmin inReach or SPOT) is worth every penny. Cell service in rockhound territory is largely nonexistent. 4. Footwear: Rattlesnake gaiters are not optional in Arizona from April through October. Stay safe out there. The rocks will still be there next season.