How to Hiking in the Rain: 7 Steps

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-09 13:41

Hiking in the rain is often a necessity when you have started walking and have no choice but to continue hiking in wet conditions. At other times, it can also be a feature of the area you have chosen to hike, such as a rainforest, where rain and showers are almost guaranteed. Hiking in the rain isn't that hard if you're prepared; indeed, in some cases there are even those who love the rain during a walk! Here are some ideas to help you prepare for your next hike in the rain.

Steps

Step 1. Always find out about the weather forecast before you leave

While not always a safe indicator for avoiding rain, as storms can come much faster than forecast, it will give you a general idea of what you can expect on your hike and help you plan the best route. better timing and even the most suitable clothes to take with you.

Step 2. Be ready

Even if you know the weather forecast, don't think the sun will continue to shine as promised. Always take waterproof clothes with you, just in case. This is especially true for areas renowned for humidity and rain (such as some coastal areas of New Zealand or Ireland), mountain environments and for hiking during the winter or monsoons. The equipment you should have behind includes:

• Pack all the gear that needs to stay dry in a large work bag, avoiding the cost and weight of a backpack cover. The so-called 'waterproof backpack covers' are more or less useless since more or less all the water that will fall on you from the back of the poncho or jacket will enter the backpack. And even the most waterproof backpack cover won't protect your sleeping bag and clothes from a wet tent, folded up and put in your backpack to get back on the road. If you are afraid of the bag getting holes, put another bag in the bottom of the backpack as a spare. The waterproof bags can also be used as an emergency poncho, shelter, water transport, container for washing and washing, etc. Cameras and any other small items that need to stay dry can be placed in small plastic zip lock bags for easier access.

  

• Waterproof - for you. There is nothing more excruciating than getting completely drenched with a backpack to haul in, a muddy path and dripping trees to tackle. Wear it as soon as it starts to rain and use the hood by pulling the cord tightly to tighten it and keep the water away from your face as well. When buying, check that there is enough space inside to move around.

  

• Gaiters - are important for the lower legs to stop pants saturation during the most violent storms. They also help you get through muddy and flooded areas, and protect your boots - and you - from anything trying to bite you like midges, snakes, etc.

  

• Waterproof pants - hiking gear is very good quality nowadays and you should take advantage of it. Buy pants that dry quickly and you will be really grateful. You can also find t-shirts, shirts, jackets, etc. with similar characteristics but the pants are the most important thing as the raincoat will stop at some point leaving your legs exposed to the rain.

  

• An emergency poncho - keep one just in case you need it. It can serve you as a backpack cover if needed and can also cover anyone who has forgotten their raincoat.

  

• Good quality boots - waterproof boots are essential for walking in humid, wet and rain-prone environments. Invest in quality and the boots will last you a decade or more, depending on how far you walk.

  

Step 3. Keep an eye on the changes brought about by the rain

Rain can cause very sudden changes to the surrounding environment and in some cases can be very dangerous for you and your fellow hikers. Some things to be especially wary of are:

• Rivers and streams. They can fill up incredibly quickly during rain. A previously dry river bed can become a flooding creek in less than a few minutes. If you're not sure, stay away. Also be careful to cross a shallow stream that flows very fast. The force of the water and slippery rocks can throw you off balance and plummet downstream into deeper, faster water. Many have drowned in this way. Then, whenever you cross a stream, keep your backpack unfastened in case you slip; so you can remove it quickly and easily.
• Slips. Beware of water-eroded surfaces during rains, they may be on paths, cliffs, etc. The ground could collapse causing you to slide and fall down the slope or precipice. Or, water erosion could move rocks and even boulders from above causing them to roll and fall on your head or your fellow hikers. Be alert and always keep an eye open.

Step 4. Find shelter

If the rain is becoming really persistent and heavy, it may be useful to find even temporary shelter. This can mean setting up a tent or tarpaulin as a temporary respite, or finding a cave, a fairly large tree, etc. Beware of trees and other tall structures, however, if there is thunder accompanying the rain.

Step 5. Stay hydrated and eat enough

Strange as it may seem, when you're surrounded by water, someone forgets to keep drinking. You are making an effort exactly as much as you are making it in the sun, so you still need to drink. Also, keep warm by having regular snacks and meals.

Step 6. Buy and use a waterproof map holder (or a large, sturdy plastic zip bag)

This is a great invention that allows you to take the map behind you in the rain. You won't need to get lost with this handy tool. There are also waterproof maps if you can find them.

Step 7. Keep warm

Hypothermia can become a problem when you are soaked to the bone and trembling to the bone. Keep an eye on your sensitivity to cold air and its effects on your companions. If the first signs appear, you will need to act quickly and try to warm the person to prevent the situation from worsening further. (See How to Treat Hypothermia).

Advice

• Pack chocolate, nuts, dried fruit, thermos of water, hot tea or soup, crackers and biscuits to help keep your energy level high while hiking in wet weather.
• Bring a spare pair of dry socks to change when you stop in case water has gotten into your boots. Wet feet can easily become victims of fungus, blisters and various reactions (such as "trench foot").
• Bring a nice trash bag. It can also serve you as an emergency poncho, backpack cover, waterproof tent cover or tarpaulin for sleeping; it is light and takes up little space.
• If you are backpacking around the world, compared to a simple mountain hike, some parts of this article may be fine anyway. Always carry a good quality travel raincoat and a waterproof backpack cover. Many hostels and hotels value a clean traveler much more than a soggy, muddy person. Also, in urban environments, being wet can be very unpleasant. Bring solid, water-resistant walking shoes and keep an eye on the forecasts every day, watching the news of the area where you are on the internet. The waterproof 'map holder' also works very well for this type of backpacking trip.
• If it's raining, and there is little wind or obstacles, consider walking without a jacket using an umbrella instead. You will stay cooler and drier.
• If you are going to some place where you already know it will rain, take all the things we have listed with you and just mentally prepare to be wet and soaking wet. If you are on a field trip and need to write notes, don't forget to look for waterproof notebooks; you can find them in the best hiking shops.
• Avoid fully waterproof rain material such as silicone-treated or rubberized jackets. Any excessive effort and fatigue within this type of material will cause you to become soaked in sweat and wet about as much as if you weren't. Look for "water resistant" materials if the rain is light or "breathable" fabrics. Even breathable fabrics, however, do not keep sweating too intense.

Warnings

• If you are walking in cold conditions or strong winds (e.g. above the vegetation line) staying wet can quickly degenerate into dangerous hypothermia even in relatively moderate summer temperatures. Avoiding direct skin exposure to cold and wind will be essential.
• Be on the lookout for lice in swampy grounds. Leggings are perfect, as long-sleeved or long-legged clothes prevent them from sticking together.
• Unless conditions are tropical, avoid wearing cotton clothing (jeans, t-shirts) in humid conditions. Cotton loses its insulating capacity when wet and will cause you to freeze. Instead, use technical, synthetic, wool-based fabrics.
• Stay away from streams and rivers of strong intensity and flow. A river that has swelled since the last time you crossed it is a river to watch out for.
• Never pitch your tent in the bed of a river or other drained stream. You may be woken up quickly as soon as it starts to rain and the river bed begins to fill up. Also avoid the banks of the canyons if there is any chance of rain, even tens of kilometers away.
• Avoid going inside oil pipelines, gas pipelines, culverts and any other water pipes, natural or man-made, during rainstorms. You may soon be caught up in rising water levels.