When you plan an outdoor trip, you picture the ideal conditions. Maybe you’ve seen images of the location on social media. Maybe you’ve visited the place before on a picture-perfect day. You imagine the best possible conditions, and that motivates your drive to complete the mission.
Rain is often the uninvited guest on a hiking trip. The fear of rain doesn’t mean that you have to pull the plug on your plans. With preparation, you can have a good time on the trail, even if you happen to get wet. Here are 3 things you can do to cope with rain on the trail.
Have a good rain strategy
One of the best things you can do to handle rain on a hike is to have a strategy for avoiding it if possible. Even if you can’t avoid it completely, you can at least plan for staying out of dangerous weather. Here’s how:
Postpone a hike or pick an alternate route, if possible. Sometimes there is very little flexibility in the itinerary of a hiking trip. But if there is, postponing or adapting a hike is a valid strategy for dealing with the rain.
Many hikers on thru-hikes, like the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail, will walk into the nearest town and take a zero day (a day where they don’t hike) to avoid downpours that last all day long. There’s no shame in sitting out the day if you can.
When I was on the Tour du Mont Blanc, stormy weather moved in on a day that we were supposed to cross the pass into Switzerland. Because of snow and exposure, completing that hike would have been dangerous. Additionally,we had a series of nightly reservations further along the route, so postponing the hike was not possible. Instead we chose to hike locally, where we only expected light rain. When we finished the local hike, we were transported to our next accommodation by car. We picked up the TMB trail when the weather conditions improved. Rerouting your trail to be safe is always a good call.
Start your hike early. Rain often comes after the hottest part of the day, so you can usually expect the more severe weather to blow in during the afternoon. When rain is expected, or even if there’s just a likelihood of rain, starting early can get you off the trail before the worst of the weather hits. You might be able to avoid rain altogether, or at least only have to deal with it at the end of the hike.
Starting early is especially important if you are hiking at high altitudes or above tree line.* Being caught on top of an exposed mountain in the afternoon can be dangerous.The weather is most unpredictable then. Water evaporation from lower elevations during the warming day, paired with fast wind patterns and rapid condensation combine to make turbulent weather a strong possibility in the afternoon on a mountain top, especially at high altitudes. The risk of lightning strikes increases dramatically too. Hiking earlier in the day is a good strategy to avoid dangerous weather.
If you are ever lucky enough to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, you’ll start your hike in the evening so that you can summit at sunrise. Catching the sunrise at the summit is a breathtaking experience, and that surely is part of the reason for the late night start of the hike. But more importantly, getting to the top of the mountain early in the morning gets you off the mountain by the time the unpredictable afternoon weather arrives at the summit.
Avoid hiking in the rainy season. If you are traveling for your hiking adventure, and avoiding rain is a priority, then research the weather in that particular region. It may be appealing to travel to a destination during the off-season, but research the weather conditions during those times. Dealing with fewer crowds and lower prices may come at the cost of less than ideal weather. It may be a trade you are willing to make, but be aware and prepared to hike in the rain if you do.
I love going to Peru and hiking the Inca Trail. Visiting Peru, and any destination, during the high season can feel crowded. Everything, from hotel prices to food, is more expensive. It’s crowded and more pricey because it’s also when the weather is ideal. Because of that, I make sure that I plan my group adventure trips during this time. When I visit Peru on my own, I like to go during the off-season. There aren’t many people on the trails and the prices are much lower. But, it’s also the rainy season. I know that when I hike during the off-season, I am guaranteed that rain will be my constant companion, but I’m mentally prepared.
You can also choose locations that don’t get a lot of rain. Desert areas are typically dry, but they do still get rain, especially in the summer. Places that don’t see frequent rain can be dangerous when the rain does come because the land is not equipped to absorb the rainfall. This increases the likelihood of flash floods. No matter where you decide to hike, always check the weather to be sure you know what’s likely to come your way while you’re on the trail.
Have rain gear that will keep you comfortable
My mom, an avid hiker, has always said,
“There's no bad weather. There’s just bad gear.”
It’s a mantra I have used to make sure I am always prepared for anything on a hike. There are a wide range of products available to help hikers deal with rain. You likely won’t use everything listed below, and what you choose to add to your rain gear will come down to personal preference.
Keep your pack dry. Most backpacks are made of material that is fairly water resistant, especially in light rain conditions. Water usually enters backpacks through the zipper or unsealed seams, not the fabric. Unless you have a pack with waterproof zippers (yes, they exist) and sealed seams, you’ll need to protect the contents inside your backpack in some way.
The easiest way to keep your pack dry is by using a pack cover. Pack covers slip over the pack quickly and shed rain efficiently. A pack cover will not protect the contents of your hip belt or shoulder strap pockets. You’ll also need to remove your backpack to attach the cover.
Some hikers don’t like pack covers because you have to stop and take your pack off to secure the cover. Also, if you need to get inside the pack while you are in the rain, everything inside can get soaked anyway, if you’re not careful. An alternative to a full pack cover is lightweight dry bags. You can put select items inside dry bags before stuffing them into your backpack. Then even if your pack soaks through with water, or you have to get inside your pack in the rain, the things inside the dry bags will be safe.
You can also use a backpack liner that fits inside your pack. It acts as an inner waterproof layer. A budget friendly alternative is using plastic garbage or contractor bags inside your pack.
There are waterproof backpacks too. They are really meant for people who are going to be on a watercraft, not hiking with the pack on their back for hours. These bags, while waterproof, they typically do not offer the same comfort of a good daypack. A waterproof backpack is typically a long waterproof cylinder with backpack straps attached. Normally, they don’t have many pockets to keep your gear organized and easily accessible. They will keep your items dry but probably won’t be the most comfortable bag to wear on an all-day hike because they don’t offer the ventilation enhancements and comfort features that hiking backpacks have.
Invest in clothing for rainy days. There’s a wide variety of clothing available that will help you deal with a rainy day on the trail. You’ll need to spend time thinking about your body and preferences to figure out what items, and combination of items, will work best for you. Ultimately, you’ll need to experiment some in order to know what clothing will keep you most comfortable in rainy conditions.
Be sure that you understand the difference between waterPROOF and water-RESISTANT. Items described as waterproof will keep even heavy rain away from your skin when you are wearing them. The zippers and seams will be sealed. Water-resistant items may keep you dry in light rain conditions, but not during heavier showers or even prolonged light rain. Clothing descriptions will be clear about whether the item is waterproof or water-resistant.
Here are some clothing items that you can throw into your mix:
Moisture-wicking synthetic clothes are items that will wick moisture from your skin and dry quickly, usually in under an hour. Typical materials are polyester and nylon. If these items get wet, they will dry quickly when the weather dries out. If you are in cool to hot temperatures, these are a must. They are especially helpful for people who run hot or who sweat a lot. If the temperatures are warm and the rain is intermittent, you might choose to go without a rain jacket. In these circumstances, you won’t get chilled by getting wet and your quick dry clothes won’t stay wet for long when the rain stops. Plus, your sweat will evaporate quickly from these items.
Merino wool is a highly versatile material. Merino wool is soft so it feels comfortable up against your skin as a base layer. It’s moisture wicking, like other quick dry material, but it is also insulating, even when wet. This makes it a great option for hiking in unpredictable and changeable weather. If you’re sweating under a rain jacket but the air is cold, merino will move the water away from your skin and keep you warm when you stop for a break. Plus, it resists odors so you can often wear these items for multiple days without smelling like you’ve been wearing the same clothes for days. It tends to be pricey but investing in a couple of merino wool pieces will keep you happy in the rain, heat, and cold.
Waterproof jackets will keep the rain from penetrating to the clothes you are wearing underneath. The downside to waterproof jackets is that they trap moisture inside the jacket too. If you are exerting yourself on a hike, you’ll feel wet inside and that’s your sweat. Jackets with zippers in the armpits (pit zips) are ideal because they will help you dump your body heat so you don’t sweat so much.
There are some breathable rain jackets that are made of GORE-TEX (or similar material). GORE-TEX jackets will eventually wet through in heavy downpours though. Also, the breathability is a little bit better than a standard waterproof jacket but don’t expect it to feel airy and light.
Waterproof pants are useful when there’s heavy rain. If you’re in the middle of a downpour, and you’ve got a waterproof jacket shedding buckets of water, all that water is going to your pants and shoes. Waterproof pants will keep you dry and prevent rain from running into the tops of your shoes. They will also have the same effect as waterproof jackets: great at keeping water out, but also great at keeping water in.
Waterproof gaiters will also keep rain out of your hiking boots, which is especially helpful if you have waterproof shoes. Just like all things waterproof, they keep water out, but also keep it in. When you wear waterproof shoes, though the uppers are waterproof, they can’t keep rain water from seeping into the tops of your boots. If you aren't wearing waterproof rain pants to block the rain, then waterproof gaiters will be your best friend. They attach below the knee and extend to cover the tops of your shoes. They will help keep the insides of your shoes dry and have the added benefit of keeping some mud off your shoe uppers and pant hems.
Rain ponchos are great, lightweight alternatives to waterproof jackets, especially if you are a person who runs hot or if the weather is warm. They are also a solid choice to layer over GORE-TEX in heavy rain. While rain ponchos themselves have no breathability, the fact that they are so open on the bottom provides excellent ventilation while also protecting from the rain. Some are even long enough to wear over your pack, providing a 2-in-1 solution for keeping you and your pack dry. This is the least expensive piece of rain gear too. The downside to ponchos is that they can feel awkward and uncomfortable to wear. Until you get used to them, it can feel like wearing an oversized, clumsy dress.
Experiment with combinations of these gear solutions to find the right mix for your body.
3. Have a positive mindset.
If you can stay warm and dry when it’s cold and rainy, or cool and comfortable when the rain hits on a warm day, then you can actually have a pleasant hike. Preparedness gives you peace of mind. You will feel more positive and capable about a wet hike when you’ve taken the steps to keep clear of dangerous weather and you’ve packed the gear that works best for you.
Rain can be such a beautiful addition to a hike. It actually adds charm to the trail experience and makes you see the surroundings in a completely different way. The unique vibe a rainfall creates on a trail can add variety to a multi-day hike so all the days don’t blur together.
Rain simply makes a hike memorable. It’s the unexpected, the extra adversity, the thing you didn’t see coming, that will leave a lasting impression in your memory. Rain, though unwelcome, can provide that out of the ordinary element that will mark the hike indelibly in your brain.
When faced with a rainy day on the trail, as much as I want to grumble about the inconvenience of it, I do my best to remember that this will cement the memory of this hike in my mind like no fair-weather hike could. Even though sometimes rain can derail a particular path, I embrace it.
Rain will build your resilience. It will help you learn more about yourself. You learn how to push through when you don’t feel like going out onto a rainy, muddy trail. You’ll figure out what to do next time if your gear didn’t quite work for you. You’ll increase your capacity for facing adverse conditions. No, you won’t always feel awesome about having to deal with rain. No, you won’t always feel gung-ho about going out in it. But you’ll miss out on so much on the trail, and in life, if you are always waiting for perfect weather.
In Indiana, where I grew up, it either rains, sleets, or snows much of the year. I had to be willing to deal with all that so I wouldn’t be stuck indoors all the time. I wanted to enjoy nature. I wanted to be outside. I had to face going out into that “bad” weather to escape feeling like I was always trapped inside. Those early experiences changed my attitude about hiking in the rain. Dealing with almost constant adverse weather conditions strengthened my ability to adapt to tough situations and make the best of it.
The threat of rain doesn’t have to ruin a day of hiking when you are prepared to handle it. Make a plan, grab your gear, adjust your mindset and get on that muddy trail!
A great way to build your confidence in rainy weather is by booking a multi-day adventure vacation with Authentica Travel and Dive. You’ll hike with a group of like-minded folks and be led by guides who can help you with recommendations and tips. You’ll build camaraderie with fellow travelers and when bad weather shows up, you’ll face it together.
* ”Above tree line” refers to the high points on the mountain where no trees grow because of too much wind, cold, or dryness. These parts of the mountains are exposed and can be dangerous weather zones. Hikers are drawn to these areas because of the wide, unobstructed views.
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