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Backpacking on a Rainy Day
By Ron Howard
Most people don't go to the great outdoors on a rainy day but if you're in the middle of a backpacking trip there's nothing much you can do about it. What you can do is prepare from the beginning for such a possibility. Preparing for a rainy day is mostly about having the right gear for it. Shelter A weatherproof shelter is essential if you want to enjoy camping in the rain. A good quality tent usually does better in wet weather than cheap tents. Look for sealed seams, bathtub floors and waterproof fabrics. It's a also a good idea to apply seam sealing and waterproof solution to your tent before you make the trip. Use good seam sealants like the ones from McNett and waterproof solutions like the ones from Nikwax. Clothing Raingear is essential and so are warm and dry clothing that you should change into before going to bed. If you're a light hiker, you might not have the luxury of extra clothing so it's best to wear layered clothing so that in case you got your base layer wet you can still use your fleece as a next-to-skin clothing to sleep in. You should have three layers in your clothing system. The first layer or next-to-skin layer should be fast-wicking synthetic material that does not absorb water but expels it from your skin. Avoid using cotton because they absorb moisture. The second layer should be an insulating layer like your fleece and the third layer is the waterproof shell to keep out the rain. The same concept can also be applied to your legwear. You also need to have headwear to keep you warm at night because the head loses heat the fastest. I always carry a balaclava with me when it's cold. You can also use a beanie or even wrap a shirt around your head if you prefer. Footwear You should have waterproof/breathable hiking boots together with waterproof gaiters to keep your feet dry. Sleeping You should have a sleeping bag and camping mattress to keep you warm at night. There are no special requirements but you should know that down sleeping bags are hard to dry if they get wet. You just need to be careful not to get it wet when using down sleeping bags. Cooking No camp stove manufacturer would recommend using their stove inside a tent. The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is too high and can be fatal. Avoid using the stove if you can but if you need that cup of coffee to warm yourself up only use a canister stove inside a large vestibule with adequate ventilation. Liquid fuel stoves are more prone to flare-ups than canister stoves. |
Hiking Camping World
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That's awesome advice, especially about using layers of clothing. I've always felt most comfy in cotton, I'll have to give your system a try.
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