Hiking in the rain: a helpful Q&A
In a perfect world, we hikers could choose the weather we want for our outings:
65 and sunny with a slight breeze keeping bugs away.
That’s hiking nirvana.
But rain happens – more in some parts of the U.S. than others. And sometimes it happens on a day you’ve set aside for a hike.
Do you go anyway? Are there ways to prepare for rain?
You’re in luck because I have found answers to these and other FAQs about hiking in the rain, particularly when Parkinson’s disease is involved. My advice comes from the books and articles I’ve read as well as my years of being an outdoors enthusiast (which have to count for something). So let’s get started!
Should I go if the forecast says rain is possible?
Well, it depends. (Such an annoying answer, I know.) Whether to go anyway is not easy to decide, but consider two things: 1) the area’s weather patterns, and 2) how you feel about getting wet.
First, weather patterns. Your weather app is your best buddy. If severe weather is predicted, change your plans and go somewhere fun and indoors like the local Moose Lodge or the nearest Dave and Buster’s. (I’ve been there once. It was indeed indoors.)
But even weather apps are mysterious. What does it really mean when an app shows a 27% chance of scattered thunderstorms?
I don’t fully understand the ways of the meteorologist, but I tend to use such percentages as a general guide and then plan for the worst. Here are a few more generalities:
- If you’re in the Rocky Mountains, rainstorms are a possibility almost every afternoon.
- It rains just about every day in Hawaii. (Hence, the name Rainbow State.)
- Midwest thunderstorms are as unpredictable as the northern lights.
- A typical Florida summer day will see a short afternoon rain.
- The three driest states are, in order, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Of course, with climate change, some of the usual patterns have gone out the window. So there’s that.
Next, you have to ask yourself if getting wet bothers you. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most, if you’re a 10, I implore you, don’t go.
Mud will be in the mix, too. Good rain gear can help keep you dry, but there’s the possibility of the unexpected — falling down, getting splashed from a puddle, a torrential downpour and no cover.
Even in dry Arizona, you can get caught. One September, I went on a southern AZ hike with a couple of youngsters in our group. The sky was blue with pleasantly puffy white clouds.
As we approached the turnaround point, we felt drops and saw a much darker sky. The heavens opened up, and we had to high-tail it back to the car, since none of us had rain gear except a couple of kid bath towels, which aren’t exactly rain gear. Needless to say, we had been unprepared, now we were soaked and shivering.
I’ve since learned that September is the tail end of the region’s “monsoon season.”
So, overall, if you decide to go, do your homework, watch the sky, trust your instincts, and remember there’s no shame in turning back early.
Why do I get cold easier since my Parkinson’s diagnosis?
Parkinson’s disease messes with the body’s autonomic nervous system, which plays a direct role in keeping us cool or warm. Remember the long list of possible nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease? Well, add “temperature dysregulation” to that.
When that system isn’t working, getting wet on a hike can lower body temperatures and make a person more susceptible to hypothermia. Hypothermia happens when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it.
The damaged autonomic nervous system can strike in any weather condition. A hot summer day boosts the likelihood of heat stroke for some people with Parkinson’s. In an overheating situation, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, and between sips pray for a gentle rain to cool you down.
What about clothing?
Here’s where I pass along my favorite quote about the outdoors, attributed originally to Norwegians.
“There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.”
How can you not love that? No complaining allowed — it’s on you, my fellow hikers!
So what’s “good” clothing for rain?
The quick answer is to wear layers, to help deal with inner-temperature instability due to Parkinson’s (or just unlucky genes that make you run cold).
In general, three layers is the standard:
Layer 1: Breathe-easy, moisture-wicking shirt and pants
Layer 2: Lightweight fleece jacket (or puffy jacket for extra warmth)
Layer 3: Waterproof (not merely water-resistant) pants and jacket with a hood. The fancy name is an “outer shell.”
I usually toss an extra pair of socks into the backpack, too.
What gear is most important to have?
- Hiking poles. These are especially helpful when you’re stepping on wet rocks and descending a muddy trail.
- Waterproof shoes or boots. Feeling the squish of wet socks with every step is as irritating as a biting fly that won’t go away.
- A waterproof backpack cover. Don’t have one? A trash bag can work.
- Gaiters. These wrap around your calves and can keep mud off your pants and out of your shoes or boots.
How can I stay safe on the trail?
With Parkinson’s you already may feel unsteady on your feet at times. So when it’s raining, adjust the pace. Slow down. If that means a shorter hike, be OK with it.
Also, do not go off the trail. Stepping off may put you on a slope where mud and wet rocks become a Slip ‘N Slide.
An exception is walking around puddles or gooey mud in the middle of a trail. I typically will step onto any short go-around paths that are directly to the left or right of a super soggy trail. (There’s some debate about whether that’s appropriate hiking practice.)
What if I hear thunder on a hike?
Thunder is lightning talking. And if you’re outdoors and not seeking shelter, lightning is laughing at you.
Your chance of getting struck is less than one in a million, according to the experts. Still, I don’t like to take chances. The CDC says Florida, Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania saw the most lightning deaths and injuries from 2006 to 2021. Florida is considered the “lightning capital” of the country.
If lightning is in the area and you’re outside:
- Seek shelter as quickly as possible. A hard-top vehicle is generally safe.
- Do NOT lie on the ground or wait it out under a tree, especially if it’s the only tree around.
- If no shelter is near, crouch down into a ball-like position with your head tucked and hands over your ears and your feet closely together.
Are there upsides to hiking in the rain?
You who are rain-loving diehards probably have weighed the challenges of a soggy hike against these benefits:
- Fewer people are out. This is true even on popular trails. You deserve that quieter, more peaceful trek.
- The landscape responds to rain beautifully: the greenery seems to brighten in color, and creeks and waterfalls flow more vigorously.
- Rain offers relief from summer heat.
It’s vital to understand the risks of hiking in rain on wet trails. Do what the Scouts advise: “Be prepared.”
If you are cautious and plan ahead, the beauty and solitude of a rainy day hike may be just what you need.
At least that rainy hike made for a good story later!
It sure did! But I wasn’t amused while living it, haha.
I had no idea about temperature dysregulation! Thanks for sharing the tips on how to manage it
Yes, Parkinson’s seems to have an endless supply of symptoms. I wonder what will turn up next?!