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Post by kelseatheone on Aug 10, 2016 7:25:00 GMT -8
My hiking plan has often been cancelled because of the bad weather. Do you guys have the same problem too?
If so, do you have any suggestions to acquire the instant weather info?
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Aug 10, 2016 7:37:25 GMT -8
I do check the weather...but I go no matter the weather assuming I have a group that is skilled enough.
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desert dweller
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Post by desert dweller on Aug 10, 2016 7:38:53 GMT -8
I always check the weather. It may or may not affect the decision to go. I use the NOAA website for current and forcasted weather.
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Post by Coolkat on Aug 10, 2016 7:45:27 GMT -8
I always check the weather but have never cancelled a trip because of weather. However, after checking the weather I have modified what I'm taking in my pack.
I will admit that if I looked ahead of time and saw a forecast of 80% of rain for over half of the time I'm planning to be out I'd probably either cancel or adjust my schedule. I have appropriate clothing but more than a couple of days of rain just seems start to take away the enjoyment. However, I have seen people who seem to have more fun the worse the weather is. However, that is not me.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Aug 10, 2016 7:50:58 GMT -8
I check the weather, but believe forecasts need to be taken with a grain of salt, especially when you're above 10,000ft, and I have changed my plans because of the forecast.
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FamilySherpa
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Post by FamilySherpa on Aug 10, 2016 7:53:52 GMT -8
always check the weather. have cancelled due to weather. have also not cancelled and been happy the weather report was wrong. have cancelled and wished I hadnt. have wished i had cancelled.
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Post by hangingtrekker on Aug 10, 2016 8:20:09 GMT -8
Part of backpacking is being prepared. Since one's existence while backpacking is, by definition, in the elements it would seem highly important to know what the elemenrs may realistically throw at you. Therefore, yes, I always check the weather and get updates as best I can (if no cell service than NOAA weather radio broadcasts) on the go. Ive been in everything from Tropical Storm Lee in the Smoky Mountain National Park to 5deg with several feet of snow in the Monongahela National Forest. The worst was Tropical Storm Lee - I was hypothermic with mid-70's air temp - getting rained on and hiking in it for a day and a half will chill you to the bones. I didnt want to wear rain gear because I would have been just as wet with sweat. There are times it would be wise to not go, but adventure carries risk and backpacking is, by nature, an exercise in preparedness. Base your decisions of going or holding off on your skill set, comfort level, and confidence level. If you dont have the experience then it is too easy to get over-confident and put yourself in a real bad spot. With experience you may just end up a little more unconfortable
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Aug 10, 2016 8:28:00 GMT -8
I check the weather, but seldom do more than adjust my days by 1 on one end or the other. Of course, it helps that I am retired now, so a couple of days either way makes little difference. In my 40s & 50s, I hiked predominantly in the desert SW, so wet weather was more welcome, unless I was in an area prone to flooding.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Aug 10, 2016 8:40:39 GMT -8
I check the weather, adjust my gear sometimes, but take it with a grain of salt, so don't adjust much I get my forecasts from the National Weather Service-- www.weather.gov/You'll see a space in the upper left to enter location for which you want the forecast; once you have the map, you can drag the center around to get a more pin-pointed forecast.
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Post by riversong on Aug 10, 2016 9:04:29 GMT -8
I check the weather and will change location if necessary. I don't enjoy rain or mud much amd will only go in sparse rain. Won't knowingly go with T-storms in the forecast. I am not trying to prove how tough I am, so I will switch to a fairweather location in an heartbeat. Much more enjoyable for me that way, and I am out to enjoy every step. Subzero or high temps don't bother me, but days of rain, days of storms, or days of high humidity are deal breakers. I will drive a different direction when possible.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2016 9:40:04 GMT -8
My moods become stormy the closer I get to trailhead departure. If I call off the hike, I have to deal with the storm inside me. That's an excess energy that's prone to climb walls, growl at other humans and machines, and in general act like a caged up animal.
Now compare that stormy mood to the actual weather forecast. I've always found the weather outside easier to contend with. I don't expect any credit from hiking in lightning storms, blizzards, deep snow, hail the size of golf balls, swollen stream crossings, or high winds. I simply find those things easier to contend with than my own frustration of being cooped up indoors and acting like a lunatic.
So yes, I always check the weather forecasts from multiple sources. But the only thing that stops me from going is closed winter roads. As long as I can drive to and from the trailhead, I go. I may make a few adjustments to my plans. But staying home is rarely one of them.
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Post by ashepabst on Aug 10, 2016 9:49:13 GMT -8
yeah, it's pretty important. weather can alter your route, your gear... i'll often switch destinations altogether on the day-of to get better weather... especially in the winter --cold rain sucks. I've changed meal plans due to weather before, back when I did more over-the-fire cooking.
this is from the perspective of a mostly weekend warrior backpacker. if I had a big, week long trip planned, I doubt I would change much besides possibly start time on Day 1.
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RumiDude
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Post by RumiDude on Aug 10, 2016 10:25:19 GMT -8
always check the weather. have cancelled due to weather. have also not cancelled and been happy the weather report was wrong. have cancelled and wished I hadnt. have wished i had cancelled. Pretty much ^^^THIS ^^^ People have died because they have ignored the weather forecast. It doesn't matter what your skill level is, you can't mess with mother nature when the weather is severe. Rain, extreme heat, extreme cold, blizzard, wind, thunderstorms, all can overwhelm even the most skilled outdoor individual. Even Inuits know these sorts of lessons and stay hunkered down in the worst conditions. But even when the weather may not be life threatening, enjoyment enters the picture. A week of rain is not fun, PERIOD! A couple days of rain is one thing, but more than that is miserable. The rain here west of the Cascade Crest can soak to the bone with no prospect of drying out. Additionally, the wind combined with rain make traveling under the tree canopy dangerous from falling branches to uprooting of entire trees. Rumi
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Post by Coolkat on Aug 10, 2016 10:37:26 GMT -8
A couple days of rain is one thing, but more than that is miserable. +1 to that! the wind combined with rain make traveling under the tree canopy dangerous from falling branches to uprooting of entire trees. A few years ago I did the Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore Trail. It was my first solo multiday hike. The night before I started the worst thunderstorm in decades hit the area. They had to evacuate 3 or 4 campgrounds due to falling trees from the winds. Winds hit that night close to 90mph. The next day at about mile 7 as I was hiking in I ran into another backpacker hiking out. I asked him if got caught in the storm the night before. He answered affirmative and proceeded to tell me about the scariest night on the trail he had ever spent. He talked about trees coming down on all sides and multiple close lightning strikes. He said he wasn't sure if he was going to make it out alive.
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panatomicx
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Post by panatomicx on Aug 10, 2016 14:43:03 GMT -8
Looks pretty good! I think It's a go!
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