Okay,

I'm in the high desert and spend a lot of time by myself, hiking and such (unarmed for the moment) and wanted to discuss the general principles of carrying the lighest load possible for moving solo across desert country. Assume that water is scarce but there are springs and small creeks. You may have access to other supplies, but they must have been laid by logistical cells or you are putting them yourself.

1. Sleep. A lightweight silk sleeping bag liner and a lightweight sleeping bag is good. It gets cold at night, so be prepared. In this case, one might move at night and sleep during the day.
2. Clothing. One combat uniform consisting of BDU trousers (desert camo pattern preferred but solid colour cargo pants or practical civilian is okay) and a tee-shirt. You should also have a battledress blouse or a civilian windbreaker. I also suggest silk long-johns and four pair socks. Shoes should be lightweight boots/shoes. if possible. Merrell hiking shoes are good (I own a pair), and are more practical in the desert than parachute boots.
3. Clothing part two. One should obtain a boonie cap, one combat vest and a shemag or OD/brown scarf. In the event of a standstorm, it will protect you. The boonie cap should be milsurp or similar. You should also have a poncho of some tactical colour. It will save your life if it rains.
4, Rifle. The scout should be armed with a common rifle of a reasonable maker. There is no need to buy an AR-15 if you're really an AK kind of guy. In the event of a social breakdown, there may be submachine guns and such available. It's really personal choice, and you need to be comfortable with whatever you choose. A scout should carry no more than 5 magazines. Typically an advanced element scout should not be engaging in firefights.
5. Knife. Get a SAK. Any fighting knife is personal preference. You may knife a sentry, but you are not holding off a large force. I have a WWII Brit commando knife but have never used it in combat.
6. Food. Carry as much as you can. Freeze dried rations are king. If you are being supplied by logistical cells, you're living pretty good. If you are supplying yourself, Clif bars, powerbars, candy, minute rice, tinned meats and granola or oatmeal are good.
7. Food prep. Carry a canteen cup and a pocket stove. I like the MSR Pocket Rocket. You may want a Sweetwater filter.
8. Webbing. I use solid black webbing. I carry six half-liter bottles of water, spare ammo, a FAK, a bit of food, some kind of commo and my knife. I would rather spend the whole day sitting around, moving at night and relaying coordinates of enemy positions to other elements. Memorize radio codes and how they change rather than carrying a codebook.

Summary:
1. Have something you can shelter in during the day.
2. Plan to move at night. Activity will fight off the chill, but you cannot be too lightly clothed.
3. Have a weapon. Be comfortable with it. Carry spare ammo.
4. Carry good shoes.
5. Carry enough food and water to do you for a while.
6. Don't plan to enter a firefight. Your goal is to be an advanced element for a larger force.

CK