Whether you are a beginner or an expert, with suitable equipment, good preparation, and a positive state of mind, hiking in the rain becomes a real pleasure.
Not convinced? We give you 7 good reasons to put on your rain jacket and go hiking in the rain!
IS IT GOOD TO WALK IN THE RAIN? SAFETY POINT:
You must first check the weather forecasts before going on a hike.
Don’t limit yourself to weather forecasts from your favorite mainstream news channels or websites. We advise you to pay attention to the dangerous characters around you. It is recommended to leave with good visibility and to consult the temperatures felt, the risks of lightning, landslides, the edges of slippery crevices, or anything else unique to the environments you will go through.
1- WALK IN THE RAIN: YOU WILL HAVE THE TRAIL ALL TO YOURSELF
Rain clears the trails, so you are taking the risk of going on your hike alone and experiencing a sense of exclusivity and really welcomed tranquility. It’s possible to encounter animals you wouldn’t normally see with a little patience and silence.
Be careful, however, to be up to date on the markings and the orientation to the map and the compass because you will not really have the opportunity to meet other hikers if you are lost. Also, always tell someone you’re going hiking, tell them where and for how long.
2- YOU WILL ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF NEGATIVE IONS
Although their nickname of negative ions may be misleading, they are actually very good for us.
The rain is loaded with it and that’s good! They participate in the renewal of the air and help to reduce asthma or even chronic fatigue. So the next time you go out for a breath of fresh air, wait until it rains to get all the benefits. In addition to all that, it will be an opportunity to live an incredible sensory experience.
On the other hand, turn around if you start to worry about whether degradation.
3- YOU WILL (RE) DISCOVER THE LANDSCAPE WITH YOUR HEIGHTENED SENSES
Rain is an extraordinary sensory experience. If its noise helps some people fall asleep, its smell is also incomparable.
If you walk in the woods, the grass will seem greener to you, the smell of the trees and plants more marked, and even the sound of the flowing streams, formed by the rain or the small surrounding waterfalls, will seem more intense.
To enjoy it with dry feet, don’t forget to wear over trousers and gaiters. Indeed, even if your shoes are waterproof, water can trickle from the top of the grass into your shoes, running down your leg.
HOW TO DRESS FOR HIKING IN THE RAIN?
Your jacket hasn’t come out of your closet for ages? This is an opportunity to check that it lives up to its reputation!
This will be an opportunity to bring out your jacket with an integrated rain hood.
The hiking jacket is the ideal companion for your hikes in the rain. At Islamabad, our waterproof jackets are subjected to precise tests in order to give them a waterproof rating of up to 5/5. We support you in all conditions: from light rain to heavy downpours!
You don’t have a waterproof jacket yet? Here are our tips for choosing the ideal hiking jacket for your outings in rainy weather:
HOW TO RE-WATERPROOF YOUR HIKING JACKET
If you already have a waterproof jacket in your closet, here are all our tips for reactivating the waterproofing of your jacket:
For long-lasting waterproofing of the fabric, we advise you to use this process to reactivate its properties regularly.
You can do this after about ten uses in the rain or after every three washes (abundant rinsing is essential).
You can easily reactivate the water repellency, hot:
- With your dryer for 15 minutes (synthetic program).
- With a hair dryer make at least 2 return trips (position yourself well at 20 cm distance).
- Or 2 passages with your iron, be careful to set it to delicate and without the steam function.
WHAT SHOES FOR WALKING IN THE RAIN?
In addition to bringing out your best rain jacket, we advise you to take waterproof hiking shoes with you.
If you start taking the water with your current shoes, before changing them, try re-waterproofing them with our waterproofing bomb.
WHAT BACKPACK FOR HIKING IN THE RAIN?
Last tip: remember to take with you a waterproof backpack or a backpack with a cover that will protect it from the rain. It will keep your electronic devices dry and keep your spare clothes dry.
At Islamabad, these waterproof covers are either already integrated into the backpack in a clever pocket, just below the bag, or available for sale separately for all sizes of the backpack!
TO SUMMARIZE HERE IS THE LIST OF EQUIPMENT YOU WILL NEED TO GO OUT IN THE RAIN:
- A rain jacket (waterproof)
- A rain-resistant backpack
- Waterproof shoes
- Rain pants in case of very heavy showers
Finally, there is no bad weather, there are only bad clothes!
4- YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE ANIMALS THAT ONLY COME OUT IN THE RAIN
Various wild animals will be more likely to come to encounter you as well. There is something for everyone, including frogs, salamanders, and snails.
This is an opportunity to organize a snail race with your children, with respect for the animals.
5- IF YOU’RE LUCKY ENOUGH, YOU MIGHT SEE A RAINBOW.
We remain big children and a rainbow will always brighten up a day. But without rain, no rainbow.
That’s another reason to get out even if the weather isn’t cooperating.
6- YOUR CHILDREN WILL BE DELIGHTED TO JUMP IN THE PUDDLES
Classic but effective, puddles are always popular with the little ones.
Be careful, however, to watch their steps to prevent them from slipping on the too-muddy ground. Also, don’t forget to properly equip them so that water won’t get inside their boots or shoes.
7- YOU CAN NOT LIVE IN YUMA, ARIZONA
Yuma is the Sunniest City on Earth, based on the Guinness Book of Records, with an average of 330 days of sunshine each year and an average of 11 hours of sunshine per day.
Sadly, you might not stay there. Even if your region has a lot of rainy days, it’s still a shame to miss out on the clean air and lovely nature near your residence because of a little rainfall.
Bonus: When you get home, you can enjoy a hot drink and feel satisfied.
Hiking is like skiing is like raclette by the fire, and a nice shower on the way home is like chocolate. So after a rainy hike, make the most of this quick opportunity to plan your next journey.
Why not fantasize about hiking through exotic locations or simply exploring different trails in your area? You’ll usually be able to find a fresh, breathtaking hike to go on soon.
WHAT TO DO IF THERE’S A STORM?
As you have read, the rain does not only have bad sides, it can even become very pleasant. Using the knowledge from our post on the good reflexes to have in the situation of a storm in the mountains, you will be able to determine when it is necessary to seek cover if your rainfall turns into a storm.
Rain is not unsafe on a trail that has been indicated; the storm, however, is the hiker’s adversary. To find out more, read our article on the right reflexes to have in the event of a thunderstorm in the mountains.
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