Make sure you're playing the most recent hotfix, v0.201
And no, after you reach the sandstorm, the game tells you that you need protective equipment and teleports you back to the Quiet Meadow. That's your clue you need to go somewhere else... somewhere in completely the opposite direction to the desert, in fact...
...there's only so many directions you can leave from, so I'm sure you can figure it out if you just try.