Let's talk about backpacking in the rain! (Patreon)

So there's rain in the forecast! That's (probably) not a reason to cancel your trip, if you don't mind getting a little wet. Before we dive in to lists and plans, lets talk about a little homework you'll want to do first. 

Check the weather again. Take a careful note of those daytime highs and nighttime lows. It makes a big difference if it's 65 or 45 at night. If that overnight low is getting close to freezing, you're risking getting snowed on and that's a fully different beast that I'll write a future post to tackle. It also helps to get an idea of how much rain is projected to fall, because gearing up for a drizzle is a little different than gearing up for a torrential downpour. Finally, check your trail condition reports, if available. Very dense, low foliage hanging over the trail will often get you more wet, as it brushes against your body while you hike, whereas high evergreen ceilings might deflect some of the rain and help you stay a little drier. 

That being said, it's impossible to stay fully dry hiking in the rain. A major factor in any trip in the rain is managing that expectation, listening to your body and your needs, and adjusting your plans as necessary. 

My last trip was pretty simple. I would hike the first mile or two at night the first night, camp, hike to the lake the next day, take photos at the lake, camp, and then hike out on the third day. The trip was about 9 miles total each direction, but I added a short detour to a side lake on the third day. The forecast was for rain, highs in the high 60's, lows in the low 50's, and a chance of thunder on the second day, but it ended up just sprinkling on and off through the full trip and never really storming on me.

Ok, let's get to the list. Starting with the large items: 

The backpack (obviously)

Rain cover for backpack

2 person lightweight backpacking tent

12'x12' tarp*

Sleeping pad

15F sleeping bag

Hemp bondage rope (no practical backpacking use, but I brought it)

Dry bag (for hanging food)

50+ feet of nylon cord (for hanging food)

Camera in a water-resistant case (conveniently carabinered to the outside of my backpack, so it's always within reach)

Clothing: 

Raincoat

Tank top

Wicking t-shirt

2 pairs of yoga shorts

Running leggings (for my first night, hiking in the rain

Thermal capri leggings (for being cozy in the morning)

Cotton undies (for sleeping in)

Cozy wool socks (for sleeping in)

My favorite Chacos (I don't hike in boots till it's cold out)

Small necessities: 

2 Nalgene water bottles

3 or 4 small carabiners

2 small, packable towels

Backpack repair kit

Map 

First Aid Kit

Bug repellant (deet free, all natural)

After Bite gel

Headlamp

Multi-tool with a small knife and tiny scissors

Water filter

Iodine tablets

Toilet paper

Poo trowel

Toothbrush

Toothpaste, in a small squeeze bottle

Facial soap, in a small squeeze bottle

Lotion, in a small jar **

Lip balm

Food: 

2 dehydrated backpacking meals***

2 slices of pizza, wrapped in tinfoil^

3 packs of caffeinated Clif Blocks^^

1 apple

Beef jerky

2 snack bars

4 ziplock bags: 1 for rehydrating food, 1 for snacks, 1 for trash, 1 for toiletries

The notes:

*My biggest regret. The tarp I brought was too heavy, much bigger than I needed, hard to set up, and hard to fold after use. I 100% recommend bringing a tarp to sit under, so you're not eating in your tent or getting soaked in your cozy camp clothing. It also gave me dry space to self-tie under, while listening to the rain patter down around me. But next time, I'll be looking for an 8'x8' tarp in a lighter weight material, with easier guylines and strings to work with. 

**I carry homemade lotion: 3-4 tbsp melted coconut oil, 1/2tsp vitamin e oil, and a couple drops of the skin-safe essential oil of your choice. Mine is rosemary, tea tree, and lavender. It smells nice, melts into the skin nice, and protects your skin from getting chapped from wind or cold.

***I have a phobia of fire, so I don't bring a stove or fire supplies. That's totally up to you. Instead, I'll add water to the dehydrated meal the night before, let it soak overnight, then eat half in the morning and half for lunch. 

^This was my first time bringing pizza, and it's a total game changer! I ate one slice at night as I hiked in, and I ate one slice the first morning. I can't recommend this enough. 

^^On my previous trip, I packed a small Nalgene bottle full of cold brew. This trip, I opted to eat my caffeine. You may want to bring a backpacking stove and make your own coffee at camp. Or you might choose to make your own cold brew on the trail, or iced tea, or rehydrate instant coffee, or not consume caffeine at all. 

What I forgot, and wish I had brought:

My camera's tripod

An inflatable lantern for the tent, and extra lighting for photos

An umbrella to tie to the aforementioned tripod, to keep the camera dry in the rain.