Always keep your rain gear in an easily reachable spot, such as the side pocket, top pocket, or the top of the main compartment of your backpack. Short gaiters can stop rainwater from seeping into your hiking boots through the pant legs. Taking notes in the rain is a hassle—wrap your notebook in a sealed plastic bag to keep it dry. There are also notebooks on the market designed to prevent ink bleeding or paper disintegration when wet.
Remember, bare skin that is damp and cold retains heat better than skin covered with wet, cold cotton fabric. No matter how waterproof your backpack manufacturer claims it is, it’s essential to use an additional rain cover. Pack clothes, sleeping bags, and other items inside your backpack in waterproof sacks or plastic bags. Rigid containers can be used to store fragile, moisture-sensitive items like food, medicine, film, or matches.
Precautions for Hiking in the Rain
1. Wear more layers and bring an extra pair of dry socks or a pair of sandals. When crossing water or if your hiking shoes get wet, you can switch to dry footwear to avoid prolonged exposure to wet shoes, which can easily lead to illness. Plan your route to include easier trails when possible—this reduces risk, provides exercise, and lets you enjoy the unique beauty of the rain, such as the stunning, floating sea of clouds visible only on rainy days.
2. During thunderstorms, take lightning precautions. Avoid using anything that conducts electricity easily, such as turning off your mobile phone, and don’t wear wet clothes. Don’t take shelter under trees, especially isolated ones in open areas, as they can become conduits for lightning strikes. Avoid seeking shelter near tall structures (like towers), dilapidated and damp old buildings (such as ancient temples), or near lightning rods. If you’re caught in the open with no shelter during a thunderstorm, immediately crouch down, bring your feet together, hug your knees with your arms, lower your head, and minimize your body’s contact with the ground. If you have metal objects like an umbrella with a metal rod or a knife, quickly move them far away.
3. Rain makes trails slippery—be cautious. In summer, mountain dew combined with rain creates moist conditions where green moss can grow on rocks, making them very slippery. Stay close to the mountainside and walk carefully to avoid slipping and falling off cliffs. If there’s a gap in the hiking group, the last person at the front should mark the fork clearly to guide those behind. The first person at the back should also carefully identify the markers, using footprints and trail signs to make the right decision and avoid getting lost. When walking, follow the principle: “Look at the scenery when you’re not walking, and walk when you’re not looking.”
4. When going out in the rain, it’s best to carry a two-piece rain suit and avoid using an umbrella. Umbrellas don’t provide full coverage and aren’t very effective in the rain; they can also snag on branches and throw you off balance. They are particularly dangerous in the mountains. Similarly, avoid ponchos (typically used for cycling)—the wind can blow rain underneath, soaking your waist. Consider carrying disposable tablecloths, which can double as makeshift raincoats, ground mats, or wrapping material. Try not to use cameras in the rain to avoid water damage and malfunctions.
5. Bring a portable stove and cookware—on cold, wet days outdoors, nothing beats a warm bowl of soup.
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