By: Rob Burbank
The rain wouldn’t stop, but the hut visit couldn’t wait, so I covered myself as best I could and trudged on up the trail.
I hadn’t hiked in such a deluge in a long while, but I was prepared with the requisite raingear, and reminded myself that a wet day on the trail is better than a dry day indoors. That, and the fact that, as they say, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.”
My destination was the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Mizpah Spring Hut, and I arrived soaked on the outside, but pretty dry on the inside, save some dampness from perspiration.
A breathable rain shell, teamed with a waterproof, breathable crusher hat, provided protection from the downpour, and my top half stayed as dry as it might have had I been hunkered in a tent. It was one of those warm July days, so I stuck with shorts, and let my legs handle the rain. Rain pants were perched in the top of my pack, at the ready in case the weather turned cold or windy.
A pair of low gaiters did a remarkable job of keeping water, mud, and pebbles out of my boots.
And the boots held up as well as ever, a bit of moisture seeping in during the last half mile of sloshing and slogging, confirming my earlier concern that I should have slathered on an extra coating of Peter Limmer’s unbeatable boot grease before heading out. I’ll be sure to make the extra effort next time.
It’s especially important to stay dry in the backcountry, because hypothermia is always a concern if you become wet and cold and have no way to warm up. On another hiking trip several years ago, I had gotten wet in a steady summer mist, and felt I was losing energy fast. A quick change into dry clothes, including dry socks, and I immediately felt rejuvenated. I covered up with rain gear and completed the hike—a multi-peak route along the Carter-Moriah Range—with energy to spare.
Rainy-day hiking needn’t be uncomfortable if you’re properly prepared. Here are a few tips:
- Wear clothing that will keep you warm, dry, and protected from the wind to avoid hypothermia. A breathable rain shell and breathable rain pants will keep you drier on the inside than will coated nylon, rubber, or vinyl garments.
- Keep your head dry. Cotton ball caps inevitably get waterlogged, which is why a rainproof hat is a worthwhile investment. Get one with a wide brim to help keep the rain out of your face.
- Consider an umbrella. Lightweight, packable umbrellas have their proponents in the backcountry. If the rain isn’t too heavy and winds are light, you can stay dry under an umbrella while avoiding the clammy jacket syndrome. That said, it’s best to have a set of raingear in your pack as a back-up.
- Waterproof your boots. Slather on the boot grease, and work it well into any seams. Boots with fabric uppers often contain a waterproof, breathable membrane to help keep water out. Waterproof coatings or sprays can often help keep water from soaking in, but check manufacturers’ recommendations before applying.
- Gotta get gaiters. These cloth boot covers (think spats) that snug to your shins and hook to your laces are worth their weight in gorp for the rain, mud, and other crud they keep out of your boots. Cross-country skiers use high ones to keep the powder out, but low gaiters are fine for hiking.
- So equipped, you can plow through the puddles and keep your piggies dry. When hiking in the rain, you’re likely to find water and mud on the trail. Embrace your inner child and slog right on through. Skirting the trail to avoid the wet stuff leads to trampled vegetation, erosion, and trail deterioration.
- Be extra careful crossing streams. Rainfall equals high water, and swollen streams flow swiftly. Use trekking poles or a hiking staff to help maintain balance when crossing streams. Be prepared with a Plan B if you can’t find a good place to cross. High water may mean rerouting or rescheduling a trip.
- Unbuckle those buckles. Whenever crossing a water course, regardless of the level, unbuckle your pack’s waist belt and sternum strap so you can more readily doff the pack if you lose your footing.
- Use a pack cover. Most pack fabrics don’t take long to soak through in a driving rain, so slip a waterproof pack cover over your pack to keep it and its contents dry. It’s also a good idea to line your pack with a plastic trash bag to help keep your pack contents dry. As a bonus, you’ll have an emergency poncho; with two, a makeshift bivvy sack; and, well, a trash bag.
- Toss in a towel. A hand towel is a welcome convenience for drying face and hands during a rest stop.
- As always, get a weather report before setting out. Be aware of the potential for electrical storms, and plan your route to avoid exposed ridges if storms are forecast.
Find more tips to plan your trip and stay safe.
Rob Burbank is the Public Affairs Director for the Appalachian Mountain Club in Pinkham Notch.
