Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2016 3:57:33 GMT -8
hi
i'm gonna hike around 300km in a rainy area, besides it's the fall, so it must be kinda cold
but what worries me is the rain, can you illuminate me about how to hike throught rain while not getting wet? it's easy? how to sleep?
if it were summer it'd cool because it's hot, but fall's rain make you so cold
ty
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Oct 6, 2016 4:26:16 GMT -8
There is no avoiding getting wet when it rains. You just have to have the clothing to stay warm. Layers are the key. Hiking in wet shoes becomes the norm when you are stuck hiking in the rain for days. Nothing like pulling on those wet shoes or boots in the morning, when they have cooled off significantly overnight.
If you are set on doing this hike in the rainy season, then wrap your head around the fact that you will be wet most of the time.
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amaruq
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Post by amaruq on Oct 6, 2016 4:46:46 GMT -8
You will be wet.
But you don't have to be cold.
Layer up in materials that will keep you warm when wet like synthetic fleece. Make sure your baselayer game is strong. Start cold so you'll be comfortable when hiking (just like how you were warm in the winter by running); this may mean starting out in only your baselayer and the rain shell. Throw on your insulating layers when you stop moving to preserve your heat. Have dry clothing to change into at camp for sleeping in.
For these conditions, avoid cotton.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Oct 6, 2016 7:14:32 GMT -8
I stay dry by using Military ECWCS gear, gaiters, and in really bad rainstorms...a parka on top of the whole affair. My hands get wet. There's not much I can do about that but I do wear leather gloves which keep them at least warmer than without. I wring them out every so often. Underneath, I wear a thin synthetic base layer so that I don't sweat out from within which can end up being worse than getting wet from the outside. I keep a down jacket or fleece long sleeve close at hand for longer stops. It's taken me years to come up with a system that works but it's been worth it as I truly enjoy going out in bad weather. I will often bring an extra tarp that I attach to the front of my shelter so I can hang out, cook food under or have a small campfire to warm up with in a pinch.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 6, 2016 7:20:53 GMT -8
Where are you going to be hiking? And is this your first shot at backpacking? I'm a little concerned at the idea that someone with no experience might be tackling nearly 200 miles in chilly wet conditions. Hypothermia is a real risk.
I know that I had a lot of trouble with rain when I started hiking (okay, later I dealt with it by moving to CA and hiking in dry climates, so I'd probably still have trouble with extended rain, though my gear is much better now). Keeping the sleeping bag dry is crucial, and that includes keeping clean, dry clothes to sleep in. A lot of people here swear by a poncho to keep hiker and pack alike dry. I haven't tried it, but it makes some sense to me, as long as you aren't bushwhacking or in windy conditions.
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Oct 6, 2016 8:05:18 GMT -8
I would suggest growing a thick coat of fur.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2016 11:21:36 GMT -8
small campfire to warm up with Better not say that too loud....
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almostthere
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putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on Oct 6, 2016 11:32:40 GMT -8
Hot drinks and hot water bottles in the bedroll help a lot more than a fire that you can't start and smokes you out because everything's wet. Not sure why anyone would want to sit outside in the rain around a fire built with wet wood, if they are prepared for the weather.
An extra tarp to set up so you can cook, eat, etc outside the tent (bear country means not having food inside your shelter - not sure where you are but even if it's only mice, having them chew a hole in the tent won't be desirable either) might go well.
As has been mentioned, having a complete changeover of dry clothing can help a lot. I'd layer up with several fleece layers rather than attempt to keep a down jacket dry in ongoing humidity.
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Post by paula53 on Oct 6, 2016 11:43:42 GMT -8
Good advice Almostthere. Down belongs in camp away from the elements. Cotton and down when wet can kill. Fleece and wool are the go to fabrics for layering under a shell.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Oct 6, 2016 12:09:27 GMT -8
Not sure why anyone would want to sit outside in the rain around a fire built with wet wood, if they are prepared for the weather. I don't like to sit inside my shelter all evening. I like to hang out and enjoy the view under a tarp, even in the rain. I also know where to find dry wood and how to build a fire in the rain. It's actually quite easy. Inside rotted logs, under log jams or fallen wood, dry wood can be found, even after weeks of rain.
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Post by hikingtiger on Oct 6, 2016 12:22:15 GMT -8
Not sure why anyone would want to sit outside in the rain around a fire built with wet wood Because Tigger's a masochist?
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almostthere
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putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on Oct 6, 2016 12:41:29 GMT -8
I'll let someone else gather wood- there's a nalgene of whiskey waiting for me, that will warm my toes when the booze is gone...
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gabby
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Post by gabby on Oct 6, 2016 13:39:03 GMT -8
I would suggest growing a thick coat of fur. Lots of really good advice here, but education, acclimation and practice (practice, practice, practice!) help a lot too. If you're used to the weather and you are acclimated, you do a lot better. That does not, BTW, make "rain plus cold" any less dangerous. The advice given above (well, most of it) is important. You still need to have "skills" to use good equipment. ETA: I don't think anyone mentioned high calorie food/snacks. Gotta keep the engine fueled and running to get metabolism up. Getting the body into good shape is important as well. (Like I know, right? I remember cold days when I wore shorts and the rest of the people I walked with wore sweaters. All because I was training. Again, not the sole answer, but it helps.)
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Post by hikerjer on Oct 6, 2016 19:30:13 GMT -8
Like others have said, sometimes you're just going to get wet no matter what precautions you take. The best thing you can do, in addition to the suggestions already made, is make sure you have extra dry and warm layers to get into at night. And make sure they stay dry. Do not give into the temptation to wear them the next day. They'll probably just get wet again and you'll have nothing that night. Wear your wet clothes again in the morning even if uncomfortable. After a little high stress walking they should be tolerably dry. Oh and take lots of socks. Man, I hate cold wet feet. Again, lots of socks.
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daveg
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Post by daveg on Oct 6, 2016 21:11:25 GMT -8
When hiking in the rain, being comfortable is more important to me than keeping dry. I try to stay dry but, unlike Tigger, I haven't yet found the right combination of gear and technique to remain dry in all circumstances. Rather, I focus on staying comfortable even if I am a bit (or a lot) damp from rain and/or sweat.
The hood of my rain jacket has a brim but I like to wear a visor or baseball type cap with a bill (Frogg Toggs) under the hood. It keeps the rain farther from my face and glasses which I find more comfortable and, IMO, makes it easier to see.
When I'm anticipating that I will have to do a lot of hiking in the rain, I carry a small tarp. Not just for use at camp but for taking breaks. Maybe it's primarily psychological but there are times while walking I just want to get out of the rain for awhile. I've added snap fasteners to each of the long sides of my tarp. If setting up the tarp is not feasible I can snap each long side to itself and just drape it over me like a bothy bag which, besides offering shelter from the rain, blocks any wind and retains some of my body heat.
I tend to chill easily and in cold rain find that I have to keep moving to stay warm. Just a synthetic base layer is often not enough. So I carry a 100 weight fleece and a puffy Primaloft jacket or vest. I'll wear one or both as necessary to keep warm. Even if they get a bit moist they seem to retain a lot of their insulating value and dry quickly from body heat. When taking a break I'll grab something to eat and drink and as soon as I start to feel cool I'll get up and start walking again.
I normally don't wear liner socks. But I've found that when my shoes and socks are soaked, my feet feel better when I wear synthetic liner socks under my wool socks. So I'll take a couple of pairs. Synthetic liner socks dry quickly (in my sleeping bag at night or tucked into my waistband while walking). It feels nice (even if only briefly) when I put on dry liner socks. I've tried Gore-Tex socks and they were comfortable and warm. But they got wet and stayed wet from sweat. So wet socks either way.
And like others have mentioned, I carry a set of dry clothes to change into when I stop for the day.
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