The glorious green days of summer are here and with them comes bucket loads of rain. For many hiking fans, a summer walk in the wild is invigorating. But the weather at this time of the year can be quite unpredictable, as storms blow up seemingly out of nowhere, bringing with them drenching downpours.
This shouldn’t be enough to put you off of your hiking trip, but it will require you to do a little planning so that you have everything that you need to stay warm and comfortable throughout your time on the trail.
With a little know how, you will find that there is all sorts of gear that you can use to make your trip a little more enjoyable, and when you combine your gear with a handful of tips for hiking in the rain, your trip will be just what you hope it to be.
Gear to pack
Most popular hiking trails in Mpumalanga are slightly covered by trees and rocky outcrops, but that doesn’t mean the rain won’t be able to get to you. And let’s face it, most hiking gear is not completely waterproof. With this in mind, you need to think carefully about what kind of gear is going to be best for your trip.
- Bring along a backpack rain cover
A backpack rain cover is about the best thing you can use to cover the bag, and a good quality cover should be thick enough to keep things dry. Some hiking backpacks come with their own built in cover, but you should bring along an extra cover as well.
- Bring dry bags/freezer bags
When on the trail, you will need to open the backpack at one point or another to get things like water and snacks. And when you open the backpack when it is raining, the water is going to get in, regardless of your rain cover. To prevent everything from getting drenched, pack your important items into dry or freezer bags to stop the water from getting through and causing damage.
- Bring trekking poles
Plenty of the hiking trails around here have rocks and moss, which become incredibly slippery when wet. To give yourself extra balance and to stop yourself from taking a tumble, consider bringing along some trekking poles to keep you upright.
- Bring a rain jacket
This is a natural choice when it comes to the clothing. A rain jacket will not only keep you somewhat dry during your trip, but a rain jacket will also keep you warm.
- Bring waterproof boots
Hiking with wet socks and shoes is not just incredibly uncomfortable, but they can also lead to painful chaffing and blisters that will really ruin your trip. Investing in thick socks as well as waterproof boots can help to keep the water well away from your feet. Hiking boots don’t generally come with waterproofing, so when you are buying, make sure that you specifically look for this characteristic.
