Ponchos are great. They cover the various external pockets of the pack, keeping everything dry. I don't want any part of my pack (straps, belt, pockets) wet anyway, since I keep it in the tent at night. Also, don't want it soaked when I put it on the next morning. The only downside of ponchos is that they're a little ungainly, but I've found one that fits me and the pack well.
@@JessicaTPeterson I agree, they definitely don't not make a fashion statement! 😂 I also use a Frog Togg jacket for around camp. Being wet and cold ain't no fun!
Since I usually hike solo, I had to find a special way to pit it on since I can’t pull it over my pack once it’s on by myself. Take pack off, put poncho on, put pack on underneath poncho, & then put arms thru poncho. It’s a pain, but it works.
As a lifelong outdoors person in the PNW my #1 piece of kit is gore-tex socks. I know you don't particularly like this material, but let me tell you why it's my favorite bit of kit. It's no secret it can get very wet here in the PNW. Wet feet for prolonged periods is an absolute killer. I like gore socks better than gore boots because I can use them and stay dry, even in the lightest shoe. They take very little space to carry. Even if you do happen to get water on the inside, say on a river crossing, turn them inside out and roll in your camp towel. Step on the roll for a minute and put back on with dry socks. Good to go, you have dry shoes again. I have been using this in my kit since the 90's, and it's in my 10 essentials list.
Double triple quadruple thumbs up on comment below for Brynje fishnet base layer. Comes both a synthetic version and a Merino wool blend version. The the beauty of this stuff is if you wear it alone under a rain jacket when you unzip the vent you can dump tremendous amounts of heat very quickly. Add a thin synthetic or Merino wool layer on top of it and you will be very warm. Another tip to avoid claminess under rain gear is to wear a very thin synthetic base layer or even just a wind shirt underneath your jacket. That way the rain cold fabric of the jacket is not trying to suck heat out of your body.
Good tips. A few tips from years leading trips. There is an old saying on traveling in the rain. Do you want to be dry and wet from sweat under rain gear or warm and wet wearing wool in the rain? Unless the temperature is near freezing, I prefer wearing a wool shirt and a wind breaker, with a Swedish fish net undershirt. The wool shirt I take on all trips the past 50 plus years has short sleeves. You can wear it instead of a vest. I have worn it days on end Kayaking the rain forest of South East Alaska. The Alpaca sweaters now on the market have a wide temperature range and only absorb 10% moisture. Squeeze the water out and they are 95% dry. Alpaca socks come in about four weights and just like the sweaters squeeze them out and they are only damp but warm. Alpaca is warm in cold weather and cool in the heat and never smell. I always carry a small dry bag with emergency gear. It covers me or anyone in the group with a dry warmth from the tip of the toes to the top of the head. It contains merino wool long sleeve Tee shirt, merino or poly long bottoms, alpaca socks, wool buff. Hypothermia is always a danger when someone in the group is went and out of fuel. In Germany I have seen people biking with a short handle umbrella.
I was going to write a longer note, but you kept covering all my points. 😉 I would just emphasize the plan for the worst. There is a point where you need to accept you are getting wet unless you can get to a shelter. I’ve generally found that if you’re moving and working and it’s raining hard for an extended period of time, you are not staying dry. Breathable jackets hit a saturation point and soak through, and non-breathable jackets you will be sweating. You just try and stay as comfortable as you can and make sure it’s not worse than it needs to be. The absolute most important thing is to make sure that you can get dry and warm when you need to. Know how to set up your shelter and get your gear in without soaking your change of clothes, puffy and quilt, and make absolutely sure those three things stay dry. Know when to stop and say, I need to get warm and dry and ride this thing out.
Sometimes I just pack the hammock rain fly and string. Keeps things dry. I’m usually with my dogs hiking and the new pup doesn’t really know what to make of hammocks, so I bring the tent.
That's how i started with camping - blanket forts in the backyard all summer. It was so much cooler than sleeping inside. I would dream about hiking mountains.
@@chriseidam7319 I grew up doing this with my sister and 2 friends. And I do agree, much less hot than in a 2nd floor bedroom. My family also camped most summers when I was little.
@@DennisMathias I've been in many a storm in hammock and, if pitched correctly, stayed dry the whole time. There is a learning curve but even in the worst storms I've been quite comfortable.
Good suggestions in a good video. I love the ShamWow. Fun fact, I bought my first package of ShamWows from the ShamWow guy at a home show in St. Charles, Illinois, about 20 years ago. He was mesmerizing. They work great. I keep a small one with my cooking pot, another small one to use as a bathing wash clothe, and at least one large one that I can use as a bathing towel and may also lay over wet clothing that is laying on my sleeping pad that I've washed or that I've drenched. I will sleep on the ShamWow that lies atop the wet clothing and my body heat will dry my clothes by morning, ready again for hiking. Hang-drying is much less effective.
Think of as stupid but I actually carry good ol' ultralight ultra thin alpaca wool long johns as my body layer and then my clothes. Keeps me fresh and dry and no funky smells. Plus it dries faster, helps a little with temperature regulation, gives me some padding between my skin and bag straps. I also wear a rain pant with full side zippers so that when no rain i open up the zippers and ventilate and when raining i quickly close the zipper and keep hands free.
I'm a firm believer in warming up before leaving camp. I stretch, do body squats, walking lunges just to get my muscles and tendons loose. This helps with the whole "leave camp when you're cold" you'll rarely be over dressed leaving camp if you do a hood 5 minute warm up before leaving.
A poncho is a piece of gear that you should research and not be afraid to spend good money on! You covered so much and so well that all I can add is vacuum packed dry socks and painkillers, I use ibuprofen (Motrin) after 23 years in the Army. We used to say, "Travel light, freeze at night," but now in my mid-50s, I'm not freezing at night anymore, LOL! Oh yeah, a simple cup of hot broth, or Ramen, will do wonders for your morale in inclement weather. Keep up the great work, Dixie!
One tip you can do is if a little cold put your pack on and then wear you flees or coat back to front then when warm take off put under your shoulder strap or tie round waist . When you stop you can then put in your pack .
I used to carry a floppy ""sun hat" for the extra coverage on my cheeks/ears/neck, but I found I like instead to use a standard "baseball" cap because it can fit under hoods including my rain-jacket hood and protect my face better in worse weather. So for sun, I put a buff/bandana under it to cover my ears and neck if exposed and I still have the advantage of a structured bill to put under my rain jacket to keep the rain off my face better and out of the collar area.
@@sharonlivingstone5956 Yup, that's who I got it from. Also, I now use a smaller Rovyvonn A8 clip flashlight instead of a headlamp, and it clips on the bill to function as a headlamp when necessary.
In 1972 my wife and I did our wettest backpack ever on the Olympic National Seashore for a week. Rained a fair bit every day. I think the first lesson you learn is that you will not stay dry. The main concern is to stay warm enough (if windy) and protect your dry clothes. Our solution was Brynje net underwear. At the time we could only get it in cotton (now it is in wool and synthetic) but it worked. Over it we wore relatively cheap non-breathable nylon rain jacket (with home made pit zips) and pants (with inner thigh zip). This kept as much body heat in as one wished, and vented with the zips when necessary. Yes, you put the same wet stuff on each morning but soon warmed up (nothing ever dried). We met an Outdoor Leadership School group with the latest new at the time gear (I think gortex jackets didn't come out until 1977) . Everyone was searching for the holy grail - waterproof and breathable - really don't think that has been achieved). They were totally soaked and cold as they did not have the best underwear (although nylon was invented in 1938, there really was no appropriate underwear available - few hikers would wear wool union suits in the summer :-) After a bit they discovered they could stay warmer by wearing a trash bag under their jacket. The most exciting part of the trip was seeing many many grizzly bear tracks (but no bear, which was ok - bear spray was not invented until the 1980s). One couple had their tent slashed and their packs slashed as bears got most of their food left in their tent (before bear canisters). We gave them some extra food. Note: There were poles in a number of locations along the beach to string up your food. Great trip!!
Blast from the past! Thanks for sharing 🙏 makes me so grateful for modern things like been small efficient batteries and LEDs, in addition to all the things you mentioned.
Just got a hybrid poncho/jacket from decathlon here in Canada; 35$cad and it a bit more tailored than a poncho, with arm sleeves, great hood and extra fabric on the back side to pull right over the max 60 liter backpack. It’s called the MT 500 black here.
Great discussion - pretty complete ! Some additions. Carefully select where you pitch your tent. Look for higher spots - avoid low spots where water can collect and potentially seep in (or run in) to your tent. And of course look up for widow makers. I do see people packing their rain gear inside their pack which is less "efficient". It then takes extra time to retrieve in the rain - plus you expose the material inside your pack to the rain. Definitely use a pack liner and / or dry bags but also consider your pack. For packs that are not made of waterproof material, a pack cover helps by reducing the amount water that the pack soaks up, reducing weight - BUT it can't keep your pack and its interior completely dry in heavy or prolonged rain. You can get more expensive packs made of waterproof material that usually do not need a pack cover. Be aware that even these packs may not be fully waterproof - seams can be a leak spot for example.
Not just where you pitch but how😊 We were hit by heavy rain one night and a fellow camper approached me next morning to ask how much water got inside my tent (none thankfully). He'd somehow done a bad job of ensuring his bathtub floor resembled a bathtub not a bath mat. He got an inch of water and his sleep system was saturated, poor thing
I’ve got a “camera back pack” that was so highly recommended by Utubers, and of course it is a semi cottage company. So I waited for 6 months after putting down a deposit and received my pack. The pack is beyond my expectations!!!!!! The design, the quality, everything!!!!!! Except!!!!! And that’s a big “except”!!!!! I have packed and packed and re-packed this 50 lit. pack with a “WarBonnet” hammock and tarp. Small cook stove and propane canister, etc. plus all the other minimalist stuff you would need. I have packed this bag and repacked it about no kidding 20 times and about at the end!!! Dixie or anyone in this great community can give me any suggestions/ideas I’d appreciate it greatly!!!!!!! My Beautiful Wife has made a suggestion as to where I could put this problem!!
May I recommend a mesh type poly undershirt in the rain. It gives the soggy clothes an air gap and helps keep body heat in and alleviates the discomfort of putting on a wet shirt in the morning. Also I love having the umbrella to hide under for lunch. Trying to prepare a meal in a downpour and no cover sucks.
Yep, an umbrella and gaiters are the key to happiness in the rain. You get called Mary Poppins until you see them sweating inside their jackets with the hoods cinched up around their faces while you're whistling down the trail.
Back when I did all of my backpacking and hiking I guess I've tried everything that there was then to stay dry but I usually ended up just as wet as if I had nothing on although it was a little better with a poncho I still ended up soaking wet. As far as the socks, well I always had two pair of walking socks and one pair of sleeping socks. Things sure have changed since I did all of my backpacking and hiking. Thanks for the video I hope this helped the whole bunch of people because it was all very true. Thanks
@@kirareoh1143 Euroschirm makes hands free ultra light trekking umbrellas. They come with an adjustable pole and you can even buy one with special UV protection
Woohoo, for blanket forts! I did the same thing for a video that I was supposed to be out backpacking for a long weekend, but I ended up under lockdown in the early part of the pandemic. So I camped alone in my living room. Safe and dry 😊 If it's cold weather, I wear Sealskinz waterproof socks. I hate cold, wet feet! They actually work, too! In summer tho I don't bither with them.
@Arne Ge no, I've only used them on a couple of long weekend hikes. I bought them after seeing Mushroom on the "Planet Earth TV" RUclips channel last year when she thru hiked the AT. They started in the winter, and she wore them every day in the snow.
Great discussion. I love the "one size doesn't fit all advice". I sweat freely and always dread pulling on a rain jacket. I tried using an umbrella 10 years ago and have carried one ever since. More often than not in the Sierra Nevada it's all I need to combat the occasional afternoon shower and on those intense sunny days above tree line it provides some much welcomed shade. I still carry a rain jacket but use it more frequently as a wind or heat trap layer outside my puffy.
I have been backpacking since 1969 when I was 16. What I recommend about hiking in the rain is use an ultralight tarp. It makes all the difference in the world.
Little tip I found was for after you change in to dry socks to sleep. Tie your damp socks around your ankle. I found this didn't affect my warmth much but would mean my hiking socks were bone dry in the morning.
TIP to keep feet warmth : Use one of those surgeon boots single or over dry socks, they are made out of a polyester called "FLISELINE" which it's water proof and also breathes. I've made many other things like viking hoodies (item that I suggest as good as for sleaping and walking it trapes 70% of body heat), parkas, vests, an slapping bag liner and eaven a ground cover for the dirt and other one into the tent for isolation. It's light weight, thin, cheap, it keeps the body's temperature and IT BREATHES...!!! 🎉👏😀👏😀👏😀👏🎊
That’s a very interesting idea. I tried to find Fliseline fabric online but the only material I could find labeled Fliseline is a heat fusible interfacing that doesn’t seem to be what you’re referring to. Do you have any more information or a link to the fabric you use?
@@Greywulff58 🤔mmm... Let's see : I'm from Argentina 🇦🇷 and so I bought it in a fabric store and not in the web. You can may try in quirugic store suplyes or ask in a hospital about the provider and follow the line... Make sure to get the thickest one, coz there are a couple of OZ thickness. Good luck...
Great video, as usual . I haven't taken the plunge to using the umbrella yet. I seem to need both hands for the trekking poles. I have used a poncho ever since I went backpacking with a couple of Marines in the early '70s. Those guys used a poncho for everything - temporary shelter for sun or rain, sleeping shelter using poles or ropes for center height, ground cover. It is amazing how well they work if used creatively. Note: They don't last for years if used as ground covers. They develop pinholes.
Gossamer Gear has a shoulder strap umbrella attachment with shock cords. No every pack has webbing attachment points on the shoulder straps, but most are adaptable. I know several southeastern rainy weather hikers that use the setup and 2 hiking poles.
Try putting the umbrella handle in the water pocket on the side of the bag and if you have a strap or something at the top of the bag, it can stay in place over you, freeing up your hands. Of course, if your umbrella is quite long or the pockets are quite high, this might not work
I also pack a pair of waterproof socks. I’ve hiked in cold, wet conditions that persisted over multiple days and having wet feet day after day caused issues along the bottoms of my feet. The waterproof socks prevent this. In colder conditions, they also keep my feet warm.
Yep, even the most expensive rain gear will wet out eventually, especially in wind or thick brush. Having dry layers at the end of the day and during stops is most important. I like tarps - they don’t come with bathtubs 🛁 (think about the name!) and can be thrown up as a shelter for a group to sit under at lunch or to cook under. So long as I have a light weight bivy to snug into at the end of the day or better still, a hammock 😊
Loved this. When I saw the photo of Soggy Dixie, memories came back and I had to watch. Then, the tent fort in the house! I wonder if we are related. Anyway, reminds me of a Virginia downpour weekend. Not on the Trail, but down hill to the east somewhere. I set up my tent on a high spot. And found the river on the high spot! Still don't know how. the new creek ran through my tent and all my gear. Spent much of the night and a good bit of the nest day in soaked socks and boots walking around sweating in my poncho and underwear. Good thing it was summer. Got dry the next day in town. Thanks for the good video!
Excellent advice , as a Florida hiker i can’t stress enough the Dry/ synthetic sleeping socks issue, meaning “not wool” for your sleeping socks even if it’s 55 Degrees @ night. ISpent 1 night not sleeping @ 50-55 degrees humid tho, no dry socks, it happens in humid climates can chill the whole body & takes a very along time for feet to warmup,,,
umbrellas. too legit to quit. that's a way cool tip. thanks. we don't/can't do the hiking thing but on occasion we go for a "nature" walk at a local park where we stay a good bit of a morning or afternoon and packing a small umbrella in our backpacks would be a good piece of gear to have as you said for the rain sure but also for that unrelenting sun as well.
I usually carry a tarp with me on the outside of my bag and putting it up before I pitch my tent witch will prevent the tent from getting wet, I have cover while I pitch it and I don't need to hear the heavy rain as much while sleeping Happy trails from sweden!
Yes, love my umbrella from Gossamer Gear cause it attaches right to the pack so hands free. We hiked in hail and snow for 9 miles in VA. I had on my rainskirt and umbrella. I stayed warm and dry.
Great tips! Headed out to the CDT in a couple weeks and it should be the start of monsoon season here in the San Juans. Having an absorbent towel is essential for drying my dog, drying the tent in the morning, wiping off my nasty feet, etc.
I carry a pair of safety goggles if you’re having to work in or walk through driving rain/snow they’ll keep your eyes from the worst of it making easier to see and do things like setup or take down camp.
Nice! We've seen that Alabama in particular receives some of the most rain in the country. This content was great! We live where it rains a lot (PNW) - Thanks Dixie!
Update: The ShamWow saved me at Philmont - just back - when my lazily pitched tent flooded. Terrific rain/hail storm. Had to spend an hour continuously bailing it out. Yay ShamWow!
I just had 4 days of rain in the last 8 days out of Tehachapi in the desert of the PCT, and 7 of the first 20 days from the Mexican border had rain too. XD I appreciate the shelter on the outside of the pack tip for sure.
I hiked all day in 70+mph winds, rain and snow. Had rain gear and umbrella plus rain gloves. All my gear got soaked except what was in my pack liner. Had warm leggings and dry socks to sleep in plus dry sleep system. The pack liner kept everything dry and my dry sleeping quilt plus dry clothes made me survive the below freeing night and sever weather while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail this year.
For long time I used Frogg Togg rainjacket, but I changed to Snugpack Patrol Poncho, covers my pack and no problems with wet arms, performs better in windy conditions compared to a rectangular poncho. Umbrella is a great help on a hike. 👍
The Snugpak poncho looks like it is well designed and not too heavy. They list it at 13oz. Is that weight accurate? Have you had any problems with water seeping in through the front zipper? It doesn’t appear to be a “waterproof” zipper that seals out most moisture (all zippers leak in the right conditions). I currently use the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Tarp poncho. It weighs 8oz but doesn’t provide quite as much coverage for your arms as the Snugpak poncho.
@@wanttogo1958 The Snugpack is a little lighter if you don t use the little bag it comes with. As it is too small to pack the poncho fast and easy, I dont use it anymore. Waterproofnes: not a single drop ever came thruh the seams or Zipper. Even the kangoroo pocket is completely waterproof.
This may sound like a no-brainer but after a night of rain and it's still raining in the morning, take a down day! Even a half day of extra rest and staying dry does wonders until the sky clears. It's good for the mind and soul. If this is just not an option remember to "embrace the suck"!
Love my Hyperlite Pack, in addition to Dyneema pods for critically dry gear. Wear a EE rain jacket and a rain skirt. I also carry a Mammut rain pant weighing less than 3 oz. Everyone has to figure out there own systems. This in addition to a trekking umbrella works for me.
Recommendations for an umbrella that doesn’t turn itself inside out with a heavy wind? And any recommendations for keeping your umbrella hands free? My biggest concern with the umbrella is not having full use of both hands for trekking poles, GPS, etc.
Been hiking in the rain for many seasons...inexpensive Frogg Toggs never seem to wet out. I get them large so as to increase some ventilation. Yes, tend to be delicate but easily repaired and cheaply replaced. As for an umbrella, I'm also stubborn. Thought it looked dopey but now won't section hike without it. Thanks Dixie all good tips
I love your videos. Thank you for putting so much hard work and thought into them. It has been amazing to watch your growth over the years. You seem like a very decent and compassionate person. Perhaps it is time now for you to enlarge that compassion and knowledge and become vegan You seem to have so much compassion for animals including bugs. But then you promote eating other animals. It is a strange disconnect and hypocritical Also, you have to realize that you are an influencer in many ways and people look to you for guidance and knowledge. Whether you like it or not. Consider broadening your compassion to include all beings on the planet. Not only will you not participate in the inhumane treatment of animals, you you will be healthier, and you will promote caring of our planet. Animal farming has dire consequences when it comes to global warming. I hope you see this comment. Take care and keep up the good work. I am a big fan.
Good to see I’m not the only person with sleep apnea that hikes. The thing I noticed is that you don’t notice you’re feeling a little better everyday as it’s only slightly better each night. Until you don’t use it one night. Then you crash right back down and feel terrible !! How are you powering your cpap on the trail?
The tent outside the pack seems like a really good idea! And it frees up all that room in the pack which is always at a premium. Regarding your body, I wonder why ponchos are not more popular? They can be configured in various ways to conform to what you have need of and can give you an extra layer INSIDE the tent. I just don't backpack much anymore because of my location and age but watching these makes me think that I was pretty dumb when I was backpacking in my earlier years. Oh, yea, the umbrella. I have a sunbrella that I carry with me when I travel. It's one of the collapsible types that gives you a break from the sun too.
Thanks so much, Dixie!!! GREAT advice, as usual. I loved your blanket fort!! What a wonderfully whimsical idea--and great acoustics, too! You're the best!
Despite the fact that synth sleeping bags and Sigg bottles are heavier, you are always warm, even when wet. And you can take a bottle with hot tea with you inside the sleeping bag. Also you can put the wet socks over the bottle. They are dry the next morning. Nalgene bottles also work, but their diameter stretches the socks too much.
Sweating is the one of the biggest issues, if not the most for me when using rain gear. Gore tex, Tex mex, Dry vent or all the possible names of the membranes is not ventilating fast enough for me. Even boots when temperatures are higher than 10 degrees Celsius (50 F) So I always need to change inner layer after a while. So I soak my T-shirt and socks in water at camp and if it's still raining while at camp I hang them under a tarp. So they can dry without the sweat and rainfall 😅
I thought I was the only one that knew about the absorber..a friend suggested it..she calls it her, "End of the world towel", i was reluctant and rolled my eyes.. turned out to be the best condensation remover I have ever used, a cut down version is always in my pack now.
Funny, I made a blanket tent last night. 50 years ago I carried an umbrella, I was laughed at, now I guess not. Hike on! Long live the blanket tent! Never lose your child
I’m hanging out on my back porch and as I’m watching this, it starts raining!. 😂 I’m paying attention, I hope to hike the AT next year. I live 20 minutes from the southern terminus.
I really love my rain shorts, I tend to run very warm, and I Iike the extra ventilation, and unrestricted movement. They work for me both as replacement for regular shorts, or on top of my regular shorts for quick layer changes.
Lol….love the inside tent. 😂 Poor Fancy Mae looks so confused.😆. We have been getting rain here in Colorado, every. Single. Day. ☔️ So the timing on the video is perfect. 👍. Thank you! 🙏
I love the rain we’re getting, but with so much snowpack left in the high country (in western CO, anyway) I worry about flooding. Still better than drought, I guess. 🤔🙂
I’m glad we are getting rain also. We had several fires near our town back in March. But I’m itching to get outside without being too cold at night. My aunt was miserable with her 32° night two days ago.
Would love some tips for hiking in desert heat and how to avoid heat exhaustion (and passing out, breaking a bone, and having to be rescued) 😢😬🙄🤔😭 It's a dry heat, you don't sweat, and you are supposed to drink a lot more water.
Hey Dixie, great video as always. I have got few extra things I want to mention. At first: wear as little clothing as possible: Skin dries faster than any other fabric. So if the rain is warm, just do not wear that much clothes and hike faster to stay warm. Saved my butt out there quite a few times actually. Second: I always carry some safety pins in my backpack. If my shoes are wet, but the actual rain has stopped I will walk in socks for ~2h until they are wet/damp, change to my spare socks and dry the wet ones out on my backpack and after 2h change back again. So you can dry of your shoes pretty efficiently. Cheers from Germany Ignaz
I'm starting to think more seriously about an umbrella. Good for sun. Good for rain. We have Fools Hollow out in Eastern Arizona which seems to always get windy come supper time. I'm interested to see if an umbrella is a good windscreen when cooking.
Also one tip I have been learning in regards to sweaty yet cold morning hiking with no chance to dry the sweat off from the previous day is having your puffy layer outside of your rain/windshell layer rather than the other way around. Also if the previous days were wet and all clothing is wet sometimes it just feels a little less cold to hike shirtless/sportsbra in the cold if that day is dryer and the sun will come out that can dry what's wet on your pack as you hike like this. Do this within reason of course (hypothermia/frostbite level temps).
I just got rid of my stupid backpack cover and got a big ole poncho that covers me and the backpack! 😁
Also don't we all just love Dixie!!
Ponchos are great. They cover the various external pockets of the pack, keeping everything dry. I don't want any part of my pack (straps, belt, pockets) wet anyway, since I keep it in the tent at night. Also, don't want it soaked when I put it on the next morning. The only downside of ponchos is that they're a little ungainly, but I've found one that fits me and the pack well.
@@JessicaTPeterson I agree, they definitely don't not make a fashion statement! 😂 I also use a Frog Togg jacket for around camp. Being wet and cold ain't no fun!
Since I usually hike solo, I had to find a special way to pit it on since I can’t pull it over my pack once it’s on by myself. Take pack off, put poncho on, put pack on underneath poncho, & then put arms thru poncho. It’s a pain, but it works.
@@deniseflygirl I will give that a try!
As a lifelong outdoors person in the PNW my #1 piece of kit is gore-tex socks. I know you don't particularly like this material, but let me tell you why it's my favorite bit of kit. It's no secret it can get very wet here in the PNW. Wet feet for prolonged periods is an absolute killer. I like gore socks better than gore boots because I can use them and stay dry, even in the lightest shoe. They take very little space to carry. Even if you do happen to get water on the inside, say on a river crossing, turn them inside out and roll in your camp towel. Step on the roll for a minute and put back on with dry socks. Good to go, you have dry shoes again. I have been using this in my kit since the 90's, and it's in my 10 essentials list.
Double triple quadruple thumbs up on comment below for Brynje fishnet base layer.
Comes both a synthetic version and a Merino wool blend version. The the beauty of this stuff is if you wear it alone under a rain jacket when you unzip the vent you can dump tremendous amounts of heat very quickly.
Add a thin synthetic or Merino wool layer on top of it and you will be very warm.
Another tip to avoid claminess under rain gear is to wear a very thin synthetic base layer or even just a wind shirt underneath your jacket. That way the rain cold fabric of the jacket is not trying to suck heat out of your body.
Good tips. A few tips from years leading trips. There is an old saying on traveling in the rain. Do you want to be dry and wet from sweat under rain gear or warm and wet wearing wool in the rain? Unless the temperature is near freezing, I prefer wearing a wool shirt and a wind breaker, with a Swedish fish net undershirt. The wool shirt I take on all trips the past 50 plus years has short sleeves. You can wear it instead of a vest. I have worn it days on end Kayaking the rain forest of South East Alaska. The Alpaca sweaters now on the market have a wide temperature range and only absorb 10% moisture. Squeeze the water out and they are 95% dry. Alpaca socks come in about four weights and just like the sweaters squeeze them out and they are only damp but warm. Alpaca is warm in cold weather and cool in the heat and never smell. I always carry a small dry bag with emergency gear. It covers me or anyone in the group with a dry warmth from the tip of the toes to the top of the head. It contains merino wool long sleeve Tee shirt, merino or poly long bottoms, alpaca socks, wool buff. Hypothermia is always a danger when someone in the group is went and out of fuel. In Germany I have seen people biking with a short handle umbrella.
I was going to write a longer note, but you kept covering all my points. 😉 I would just emphasize the plan for the worst. There is a point where you need to accept you are getting wet unless you can get to a shelter. I’ve generally found that if you’re moving and working and it’s raining hard for an extended period of time, you are not staying dry. Breathable jackets hit a saturation point and soak through, and non-breathable jackets you will be sweating.
You just try and stay as comfortable as you can and make sure it’s not worse than it needs to be. The absolute most important thing is to make sure that you can get dry and warm when you need to. Know how to set up your shelter and get your gear in without soaking your change of clothes, puffy and quilt, and make absolutely sure those three things stay dry. Know when to stop and say, I need to get warm and dry and ride this thing out.
Wet is more of a comfort issue (chaffing apart). Cold and wet is a physiological issue - to be avoided.
Sometimes I just pack the hammock rain fly and string. Keeps things dry. I’m usually with my dogs hiking and the new pup doesn’t really know what to make of hammocks, so I bring the tent.
Dang it, now I need to go make a blanket fort! Haven't done that in years. Not ultra light, but certainly ultra _fun_ .
That's how i started with camping - blanket forts in the backyard all summer. It was so much cooler than sleeping inside. I would dream about hiking mountains.
@@chriseidam7319 I grew up doing this with my sister and 2 friends. And I do agree, much less hot than in a 2nd floor bedroom. My family also camped most summers when I was little.
This is why I like my tarp/hammock combo. In the rain the tarp is the first thing to go up and last to come down. Everything else stays dry.
I pack a tarp just for that purpose. It goes up first and fast. Then I can adjust accordingly…in the dry.
Maybe, but a lot of wind blown rain can spoil your night.
@@DennisMathias I've been in many a storm in hammock and, if pitched correctly, stayed dry the whole time. There is a learning curve but even in the worst storms I've been quite comfortable.
@@OldPackMule you're also usually in the trees/foreest which cut the wind dramatically
I use a tarp and bivvy and same thing. Tarps are awesome
Good suggestions in a good video.
I love the ShamWow. Fun fact, I bought my first package of ShamWows from the ShamWow guy at a home show in St. Charles, Illinois, about 20 years ago. He was mesmerizing.
They work great.
I keep a small one with my cooking pot, another small one to use as a bathing wash clothe, and at least one large one that I can use as a bathing towel and may also lay over wet clothing that is laying on my sleeping pad that I've washed or that I've drenched. I will sleep on the ShamWow that lies atop the wet clothing and my body heat will dry my clothes by morning, ready again for hiking.
Hang-drying is much less effective.
Think of as stupid but I actually carry good ol' ultralight ultra thin alpaca wool long johns as my body layer and then my clothes. Keeps me fresh and dry and no funky smells. Plus it dries faster, helps a little with temperature regulation, gives me some padding between my skin and bag straps. I also wear a rain pant with full side zippers so that when no rain i open up the zippers and ventilate and when raining i quickly close the zipper and keep hands free.
I'm a firm believer in warming up before leaving camp. I stretch, do body squats, walking lunges just to get my muscles and tendons loose. This helps with the whole "leave camp when you're cold" you'll rarely be over dressed leaving camp if you do a hood 5 minute warm up before leaving.
Adorable. Advice from the blanket tent :)
A poncho is a piece of gear that you should research and not be afraid to spend good money on! You covered so much and so well that all I can add is vacuum packed dry socks and painkillers, I use ibuprofen (Motrin) after 23 years in the Army. We used to say, "Travel light, freeze at night," but now in my mid-50s, I'm not freezing at night anymore, LOL! Oh yeah, a simple cup of hot broth, or Ramen, will do wonders for your morale in inclement weather. Keep up the great work, Dixie!
One tip you can do is if a little cold put your pack on and then wear you flees or coat back to front then when warm take off put under your shoulder strap or tie round waist . When you stop you can then put in your pack .
I used to carry a floppy ""sun hat" for the extra coverage on my cheeks/ears/neck, but I found I like instead to use a standard "baseball" cap because it can fit under hoods including my rain-jacket hood and protect my face better in worse weather. So for sun, I put a buff/bandana under it to cover my ears and neck if exposed and I still have the advantage of a structured bill to put under my rain jacket to keep the rain off my face better and out of the collar area.
Caps are also great for the glasses wearers - keeps the rain off the face a little better 😊
@@sharonlivingstone5956 Yup, that's who I got it from. Also, I now use a smaller Rovyvonn A8 clip flashlight instead of a headlamp, and it clips on the bill to function as a headlamp when necessary.
In 1972 my wife and I did our wettest backpack ever on the Olympic National Seashore for a week. Rained a fair bit every day. I think the first lesson you learn is that you will not stay dry. The main concern is to stay warm enough (if windy) and protect your dry clothes. Our solution was Brynje net underwear. At the time we could only get it in cotton (now it is in wool and synthetic) but it worked. Over it we wore relatively cheap non-breathable nylon rain jacket (with home made pit zips) and pants (with inner thigh zip). This kept as much body heat in as one wished, and vented with the zips when necessary. Yes, you put the same wet stuff on each morning but soon warmed up (nothing ever dried). We met an Outdoor Leadership School group with the latest new at the time gear (I think gortex jackets didn't come out until 1977) . Everyone was searching for the holy grail - waterproof and breathable - really don't think that has been achieved). They were totally soaked and cold as they did not have the best underwear (although nylon was invented in 1938, there really was no appropriate underwear available - few hikers would wear wool union suits in the summer :-) After a bit they discovered they could stay warmer by wearing a trash bag under their jacket. The most exciting part of the trip was seeing many many grizzly bear tracks (but no bear, which was ok - bear spray was not invented until the 1980s). One couple had their tent slashed and their packs slashed as bears got most of their food left in their tent (before bear canisters). We gave them some extra food. Note: There were poles in a number of locations along the beach to string up your food. Great trip!!
Thanks for sharing, we take so many things for granted now
Blast from the past! Thanks for sharing 🙏 makes me so grateful for modern things like been small efficient batteries and LEDs, in addition to all the things you mentioned.
Just got a hybrid poncho/jacket from decathlon here in Canada; 35$cad and it a bit more tailored than a poncho, with arm sleeves, great hood and extra fabric on the back side to pull right over the max 60 liter backpack. It’s called the MT 500 black here.
100%correctamundo I'm military and you help me communicate to your generation your golden to me thanks⚘
Rain kilt/skirt! What a fabulous idea!
Great discussion - pretty complete !
Some additions.
Carefully select where you pitch your tent. Look for higher spots - avoid low spots where water can collect and potentially seep in (or run in) to your tent. And of course look up for widow makers.
I do see people packing their rain gear inside their pack which is less "efficient". It then takes extra time to retrieve in the rain - plus you expose the material inside your pack to the rain.
Definitely use a pack liner and / or dry bags but also consider your pack. For packs that are not made of waterproof material, a pack cover helps by reducing the amount water that the pack soaks up, reducing weight - BUT it can't keep your pack and its interior completely dry in heavy or prolonged rain. You can get more expensive packs made of waterproof material that usually do not need a pack cover. Be aware that even these packs may not be fully waterproof - seams can be a leak spot for example.
Not just where you pitch but how😊 We were hit by heavy rain one night and a fellow camper approached me next morning to ask how much water got inside my tent (none thankfully). He'd somehow done a bad job of ensuring his bathtub floor resembled a bathtub not a bath mat. He got an inch of water and his sleep system was saturated, poor thing
Love the blanket fort!
Every summer I built many a blanket fort in the backyard.
I’ve got a “camera back pack” that was so highly recommended by Utubers, and of course it is a semi cottage company. So I waited for 6 months after putting down a deposit and received my pack.
The pack is beyond my expectations!!!!!! The design, the quality, everything!!!!!! Except!!!!! And that’s a big “except”!!!!!
I have packed and packed and re-packed this 50 lit. pack with a “WarBonnet” hammock and tarp. Small cook stove and propane canister, etc. plus all the other minimalist stuff you would need.
I have packed this bag and repacked it about no kidding 20 times and about at the end!!!
Dixie or anyone in this great community can give me any suggestions/ideas I’d appreciate it greatly!!!!!!! My Beautiful Wife has made a suggestion as to where I could put this problem!!
May I recommend a mesh type poly undershirt in the rain. It gives the soggy clothes an air gap and helps keep body heat in and alleviates the discomfort of putting on a wet shirt in the morning. Also I love having the umbrella to hide under for lunch. Trying to prepare a meal in a downpour and no cover sucks.
Yep, an umbrella and gaiters are the key to happiness in the rain. You get called Mary Poppins until you see them sweating inside their jackets with the hoods cinched up around their faces while you're whistling down the trail.
Back when I did all of my backpacking and hiking I guess I've tried everything that there was then to stay dry but I usually ended up just as wet as if I had nothing on although it was a little better with a poncho I still ended up soaking wet. As far as the socks, well I always had two pair of walking socks and one pair of sleeping socks. Things sure have changed since I did all of my backpacking and hiking. Thanks for the video I hope this helped the whole bunch of people because it was all very true. Thanks
I have a hiking, hands free umbrella. No sweating, wonderful feeling.
How do you manage to make it hands free?
@@kirareoh1143 Euroschirm makes hands free ultra light trekking umbrellas. They come with an adjustable pole and you can even buy one with special UV protection
That thumbnail is 🔥
Woohoo, for blanket forts! I did the same thing for a video that I was supposed to be out backpacking for a long weekend, but I ended up under lockdown in the early part of the pandemic. So I camped alone in my living room. Safe and dry 😊
If it's cold weather, I wear Sealskinz waterproof socks. I hate cold, wet feet! They actually work, too! In summer tho I don't bither with them.
Hi there, have you got experience with the SealSkinz over the long run? Are they still sealing after using them on a long distance trail?
@Arne Ge no, I've only used them on a couple of long weekend hikes. I bought them after seeing Mushroom on the "Planet Earth TV" RUclips channel last year when she thru hiked the AT. They started in the winter, and she wore them every day in the snow.
One extremely important thing that needs to be said here.
_Blanket_ _forts_ _are_ _just_ _flat_ _out_ _cool!_
Great discussion. I love the "one size doesn't fit all advice". I sweat freely and always dread pulling on a rain jacket. I tried using an umbrella 10 years ago and have carried one ever since. More often than not in the Sierra Nevada it's all I need to combat the occasional afternoon shower and on those intense sunny days above tree line it provides some much welcomed shade. I still carry a rain jacket but use it more frequently as a wind or heat trap layer outside my puffy.
I have been backpacking since 1969 when I was 16. What I recommend about hiking in the rain is use an ultralight tarp. It makes all the difference in the world.
Little tip I found was for after you change in to dry socks to sleep. Tie your damp socks around your ankle. I found this didn't affect my warmth much but would mean my hiking socks were bone dry in the morning.
I love the blanket fort! …and the Fancy Mae cameos.
TIP to keep feet warmth : Use one of those surgeon boots single or over dry socks, they are made out of a polyester called "FLISELINE" which it's water proof and also breathes. I've made many other things like viking hoodies (item that I suggest as good as for sleaping and walking it trapes 70% of body heat), parkas, vests, an slapping bag liner and eaven a ground cover for the dirt and other one into the tent for isolation. It's light weight, thin, cheap, it keeps the body's temperature and IT BREATHES...!!! 🎉👏😀👏😀👏😀👏🎊
That’s a very interesting idea. I tried to find Fliseline fabric online but the only material I could find labeled Fliseline is a heat fusible interfacing that doesn’t seem to be what you’re referring to. Do you have any more information or a link to the fabric you use?
@@Greywulff58 🤔mmm... Let's see : I'm from Argentina 🇦🇷 and so I bought it in a fabric store and not in the web. You can may try in quirugic store suplyes or ask in a hospital about the provider and follow the line... Make sure to get the thickest one, coz there are a couple of OZ thickness. Good luck...
Continue to add waterproofing to your rain jacket. Most people to not realize that you have to add protective coatings on rain jackets ever so often.
Great video, as usual . I haven't taken the plunge to using the umbrella yet. I seem to need both hands for the trekking poles. I have used a poncho ever since I went backpacking with a couple of Marines in the early '70s. Those guys used a poncho for everything - temporary shelter for sun or rain, sleeping shelter using poles or ropes for center height, ground cover. It is amazing how well they work if used creatively. Note: They don't last for years if used as ground covers. They develop pinholes.
Gossamer Gear has a shoulder strap umbrella attachment with shock cords. No every pack has webbing attachment points on the shoulder straps, but most are adaptable. I know several southeastern rainy weather hikers that use the setup and 2 hiking poles.
Try putting the umbrella handle in the water pocket on the side of the bag and if you have a strap or something at the top of the bag, it can stay in place over you, freeing up your hands. Of course, if your umbrella is quite long or the pockets are quite high, this might not work
@@cornbeef Thanks! I will try it.
I also pack a pair of waterproof socks. I’ve hiked in cold, wet conditions that persisted over multiple days and having wet feet day after day caused issues along the bottoms of my feet. The waterproof socks prevent this. In colder conditions, they also keep my feet warm.
Yep, even the most expensive rain gear will wet out eventually, especially in wind or thick brush. Having dry layers at the end of the day and during stops is most important. I like tarps - they don’t come with bathtubs 🛁 (think about the name!) and can be thrown up as a shelter for a group to sit under at lunch or to cook under. So long as I have a light weight bivy to snug into at the end of the day or better still, a hammock 😊
Stuck in the rain for 15 hours or so in the superstition mountains. The little camp towel from rei was the mvp of the trip.
Honestly the first time I've ever heard umbrella suggested for hiking. Maybe design one that mounts to the pack and take it to Shark Tank.
Loved this. When I saw the photo of Soggy Dixie, memories came back and I had to watch. Then, the tent fort in the house! I wonder if we are related. Anyway, reminds me of a Virginia downpour weekend. Not on the Trail, but down hill to the east somewhere. I set up my tent on a high spot. And found the river on the high spot! Still don't know how. the new creek ran through my tent and all my gear. Spent much of the night and a good bit of the nest day in soaked socks and boots walking around sweating in my poncho and underwear. Good thing it was summer. Got dry the next day in town. Thanks for the good video!
Excellent advice , as a Florida hiker i can’t stress enough the Dry/ synthetic sleeping socks issue, meaning “not wool” for your sleeping socks even if it’s 55 Degrees @ night. ISpent 1 night not sleeping @ 50-55 degrees humid tho, no dry socks, it happens in humid climates can chill the whole body & takes a very along time for feet to warmup,,,
Do you mean 'no wool' because of how long they can take to dry? Or for another reason?
umbrellas. too legit to quit. that's a way cool tip. thanks. we don't/can't do the hiking thing but on occasion we go for a "nature" walk at a local park where we stay a good bit of a morning or afternoon and packing a small umbrella in our backpacks would be a good piece of gear to have as you said for the rain sure but also for that unrelenting sun as well.
Micro fiber cloths ring out and work well for soaking up moisture .
I usually carry a tarp with me on the outside of my bag and putting it up before I pitch my tent witch will prevent the tent from getting wet, I have cover while I pitch it and I don't need to hear the heavy rain as much while sleeping
Happy trails from sweden!
Yes, love my umbrella from Gossamer Gear cause it attaches right to the pack so hands free. We hiked in hail and snow for 9 miles in VA. I had on my rainskirt and umbrella. I stayed warm and dry.
Great tips! Headed out to the CDT in a couple weeks and it should be the start of monsoon season here in the San Juans. Having an absorbent towel is essential for drying my dog, drying the tent in the morning, wiping off my nasty feet, etc.
👀 feet? 👀
I carry a pair of safety goggles if you’re having to work in or walk through driving rain/snow they’ll keep your eyes from the worst of it making easier to see and do things like setup or take down camp.
Nice! We've seen that Alabama in particular receives some of the most rain in the country. This content was great! We live where it rains a lot (PNW) - Thanks Dixie!
Wow! I like the idea of packing a ShamWow.
Update: The ShamWow saved me at Philmont - just back - when my lazily pitched tent flooded. Terrific rain/hail storm. Had to spend an hour continuously bailing it out. Yay ShamWow!
I just had 4 days of rain in the last 8 days out of Tehachapi in the desert of the PCT, and 7 of the first 20 days from the Mexican border had rain too. XD
I appreciate the shelter on the outside of the pack tip for sure.
I miss the hiking. It will be fun when you get back on the trail.
The last video (before this) was a hiking video from the trail
And I wonder, still I wonder, Who'll stop the raaaiiinnn.
Thanks
I hiked all day in 70+mph winds, rain and snow. Had rain gear and umbrella plus rain gloves. All my gear got soaked except what was in my pack liner. Had warm leggings and dry socks to sleep in plus dry sleep system. The pack liner kept everything dry and my dry sleeping quilt plus dry clothes made me survive the below freeing night and sever weather while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail this year.
Ordering sham wow now. Thank u
OK the tent fort is genius. And always the good advice I know you will provide.
I have learned to love kitchen gloves, even if it looks like I'm out to clean the toilet!
For long time I used Frogg Togg rainjacket, but I changed to Snugpack Patrol Poncho, covers my pack and no problems with wet arms, performs better in windy conditions compared to a rectangular poncho.
Umbrella is a great help on a hike. 👍
The Snugpak poncho looks like it is well designed and not too heavy. They list it at 13oz. Is that weight accurate? Have you had any problems with water seeping in through the front zipper? It doesn’t appear to be a “waterproof” zipper that seals out most moisture (all zippers leak in the right conditions). I currently use the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Tarp poncho. It weighs 8oz but doesn’t provide quite as much coverage for your arms as the Snugpak poncho.
@@wanttogo1958
The Snugpack is a little lighter if you don t use the little bag it comes with. As it is too small to pack the poncho fast and easy, I dont use it anymore. Waterproofnes: not a single drop ever came thruh the seams or Zipper. Even the kangoroo pocket is completely waterproof.
This may sound like a no-brainer but after a night of rain and it's still raining in the morning, take a down day! Even a half day of extra rest and staying dry does wonders until the sky clears. It's good for the mind and soul. If this is just not an option remember to "embrace the suck"!
Love my Hyperlite Pack, in addition to Dyneema pods for critically dry gear. Wear a EE rain jacket and a rain skirt. I also carry a Mammut rain pant weighing less than 3 oz. Everyone has to figure out there own systems. This in addition to a trekking umbrella works for me.
Recommendations for an umbrella that doesn’t turn itself inside out with a heavy wind? And any recommendations for keeping your umbrella hands free? My biggest concern with the umbrella is not having full use of both hands for trekking poles, GPS, etc.
Been hiking in the rain for many seasons...inexpensive Frogg Toggs never seem to wet out. I get them large so as to increase some ventilation. Yes, tend to be delicate but easily repaired and cheaply replaced. As for an umbrella, I'm also stubborn. Thought it looked dopey but now won't section hike without it. Thanks Dixie all good tips
The hunting version of Frogg Toggs are heavier, sturdier and withstand the brush better. Problem is most don't want to wear camo.
Love this southern beauty.
Love the blanket fort
I use a small, lightweight umbrella hiking here in the UK. Always get too hot in rain gear unless it's winter.
I ♡ hiking with a travel umbrella. Multiple uses. I hope you talk about rain gloves. My hands got so freezing cold in the rainy mtns.
Thanks Dixie! Tent on the outside great tip!
Thanks for the video
Thank you!
I love your videos.
Thank you for putting so much hard work and thought into them.
It has been amazing to watch your growth over the years.
You seem like a very decent and compassionate person.
Perhaps it is time now for you to enlarge that compassion and knowledge and become vegan
You seem to have so much compassion for animals including bugs.
But then you promote eating other animals.
It is a strange disconnect and hypocritical
Also, you have to realize that you are an influencer in many ways and people look to you for guidance and knowledge.
Whether you like it or not.
Consider broadening your compassion to include all beings on the planet.
Not only will you not participate in the inhumane treatment of animals, you you will be healthier, and you will promote caring of our planet.
Animal farming has dire consequences when it comes to global warming.
I hope you see this comment.
Take care and keep up the good work.
I am a big fan.
Thanks Dixie!
I just use my Zpacks umbrella nowadays. Works awesome
so so love the blanket fort. you are hiker elite now ! well thats what i thought in my bedroom tent as a kid . oh and rest of video cool too.
Good to see I’m not the only person with sleep apnea that hikes.
The thing I noticed is that you don’t notice you’re feeling a little better everyday as it’s only slightly better each night. Until you don’t use it one night. Then you crash right back down and feel terrible !!
How are you powering your cpap on the trail?
The tent outside the pack seems like a really good idea! And it frees up all that room in the pack which is always at a premium.
Regarding your body, I wonder why ponchos are not more popular? They can be configured in various ways to conform to what you have need of and can give you an extra layer INSIDE the tent. I just don't backpack much anymore because of my location and age but watching these makes me think that I was pretty dumb when I was backpacking in my earlier years. Oh, yea, the umbrella. I have a sunbrella that I carry with me when I travel. It's one of the collapsible types that gives you a break from the sun too.
Great tips, thanks for sharing.
I can't believe you said 'into your crack', that almost made me spill my beer! 🤣
Thanks so much, Dixie!!! GREAT advice, as usual. I loved your blanket fort!! What a wonderfully whimsical idea--and great acoustics, too! You're the best!
Despite the fact that synth sleeping bags and Sigg bottles are heavier, you are always warm, even when wet. And you can take a bottle with hot tea with you inside the sleeping bag. Also you can put the wet socks over the bottle. They are dry the next morning. Nalgene bottles also work, but their diameter stretches the socks too much.
Thanks more making the video
In Northern Illinois we are 8” short on rain so far.
Very good video. In a cold rain, a poncho with a liner is very nice. Happy Trails. Good Luck, Rick
Tip #5 Was definitely helpful
No substitute for actual experience!!! Great tips...wish you well.
Dixie, I know you have help producing your videos, but I have to say your camera work and photography is excellent !
Sweating is the one of the biggest issues, if not the most for me when using rain gear. Gore tex, Tex mex, Dry vent or all the possible names of the membranes is not ventilating fast enough for me. Even boots when temperatures are higher than 10 degrees Celsius (50 F)
So I always need to change inner layer after a while. So I soak my T-shirt and socks in water at camp and if it's still raining while at camp I hang them under a tarp. So they can dry without the sweat and rainfall 😅
I thought I was the only one that knew about the absorber..a friend suggested it..she calls it her, "End of the world towel", i was reluctant and rolled my eyes.. turned out to be the best condensation remover I have ever used, a cut down version is always in my pack now.
Lol your thumbnail immediately reminded me of Helen Hunt from As Good As It Gets
Funny, I made a blanket tent last night.
50 years ago I carried an umbrella, I was laughed at, now I guess not.
Hike on!
Long live the blanket tent!
Never lose your child
I’m hanging out on my back porch and as I’m watching this, it starts raining!. 😂 I’m paying attention, I hope to hike the AT next year. I live 20 minutes from the southern terminus.
I really love my rain shorts, I tend to run very warm, and I Iike the extra ventilation, and unrestricted movement. They work for me both as replacement for regular shorts, or on top of my regular shorts for quick layer changes.
You look well. Hope you're doing better.
Lol….love the inside tent. 😂 Poor Fancy Mae looks so confused.😆. We have been getting rain here in Colorado, every. Single. Day. ☔️ So the timing on the video is perfect. 👍. Thank you! 🙏
I love the rain we’re getting, but with so much snowpack left in the high country (in western CO, anyway) I worry about flooding. Still better than drought, I guess. 🤔🙂
I’m glad we are getting rain also. We had several fires near our town back in March. But I’m itching to get outside without being too cold at night. My aunt was miserable with her 32° night two days ago.
Blanket fort!
Hey Dixie, very helpful tips and an awesome little studio! All the best from Austria 🇦🇹🤠👍🏕🔥
Would love some tips for hiking in desert heat and how to avoid heat exhaustion (and passing out, breaking a bone, and having to be rescued) 😢😬🙄🤔😭 It's a dry heat, you don't sweat, and you are supposed to drink a lot more water.
Thank you so much Matthew McConaughey
I learn so much from your videos, even 3y into watching them. Thank you for your sensible, well-explained, helpful tips, Dixie!
Hey Dixie,
great video as always. I have got few extra things I want to mention.
At first: wear as little clothing as possible: Skin dries faster than any other fabric. So if the rain is warm, just do not wear that much clothes and hike faster to stay warm. Saved my butt out there quite a few times actually.
Second: I always carry some safety pins in my backpack. If my shoes are wet, but the actual rain has stopped I will walk in socks for ~2h until they are wet/damp, change to my spare socks and dry the wet ones out on my backpack and after 2h change back again. So you can dry of your shoes pretty efficiently.
Cheers from Germany
Ignaz
I'm starting to think more seriously about an umbrella. Good for sun. Good for rain. We have Fools Hollow out in Eastern Arizona which seems to always get windy come supper time. I'm interested to see if an umbrella is a good windscreen when cooking.
Hello 👋 Dixie, a big thank you for sharing your words of wisdom. Always the best of good things for you. Stay safe and healthy out there.
🤗 👋
Love the house fort 😂
Also one tip I have been learning in regards to sweaty yet cold morning hiking with no chance to dry the sweat off from the previous day is having your puffy layer outside of your rain/windshell layer rather than the other way around.
Also if the previous days were wet and all clothing is wet sometimes it just feels a little less cold to hike shirtless/sportsbra in the cold if that day is dryer and the sun will come out that can dry what's wet on your pack as you hike like this. Do this within reason of course (hypothermia/frostbite level temps).
Very helpful, Dixie. Thank you.