Tips on Backpacking in the Rain

Hiking and backpacking are favorite recreational pastimes for many nature lovers but a sudden downpour can soak your clothing and gear and make walking hazardous. Taking steps before starting out to protect your gear and clothing ensures that you’ll be ready if the skies turn gray. With the right gear and accessories, you can weather a rain shower and keep right on hiking.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rain tarp
• Lightweight rain jacket
• Waterproof backpack
• Camp towel
• Waterproof matches
• Sealed food items

1. Pack for rain. If there is even the slightest chance that you’ll be hiking or camping in a rain shower, plan ahead and bring the necessary items to keep yourself dry and comfortable. Short-lived thundershowers and storms are common during the afternoon and evening hours at high elevations in many regions.

2. Carry a waterproof backpack. These packs come in a wide price range and feature a water resistant flap that covers the top of the pack and secures around the sides to keep water out (see Resources).

3. Tuck a lightweight rain jacket, with a hood, into an outside pocket of your backpack where you can access it without exposing the rest of the pack contents to the rain. A side or bottom zipper pocket is handy for quick retrieval.

4. Bring waterproof matches. Purchase these from a sports or camping store or, alternately, seal strike-anywhere matchsticks in small watertight containers. The challenge when backpacking in the rain is keeping your gear dry and functional.

5. Wear comfortable lightweight hiking boots with a good tread. Walking in wet footwear increases the chances of blistering so your shoes must fit well to prevent slipping when wet.

6. Keep a small rain tarp in an exterior pocket of your backpack. Like your rain jacket, this should be accessible without opening your pack. This tarp, also called a “rain fly” secures to nearby trees or sticks to provide temporary protection from a downpour. Choose one that is very lightweight (see Resources).

7. Dry off with a camp towel once you’re safely out of the rain. Forget about using a cotton towel, because once wet, they dry slowly, if at all. Instead, choose a highly absorbent camp towel made of synthetic material that quickly absorbs water and wrings out nearly dry (see Resources).

8. Change clothing as soon as you can after the rain stops. Even in moderate temperatures, wet clothing can lead to hypothermia in a short period. Pack one or more non-cotton changes of clothing for quick changes.

9. Cover items attached to your pack that don’t fit inside. The most common item is a rolled sleeping bag. If you’re spending a few days in the wild, a dry sleeping bag is imperative. Wrap the tightly rolled bag in waterproof nylon and secure all sides.

10. Distribute the weight of your gear evenly in your backpack. When the weather is dry, a lopsided pack can strain your back but when it rains and wet straps rub against your skin, an uneven pack becomes a source of blistering.

Tips & Warnings

• Focus on keeping as dry as possible when backpacking to prevent blistering and hypothermia.
• Always keep some method of contacting help available. A cell phone or walkie talkie is imperative and these items must stay dry.

Resources

• Waterproof backpacks
• Rain tarp
• Camp towel

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[HowardBThiname]

on 11/19/2008 Great article. Very informative.