Getting Outside and Into Nature in Wet Weather

bargain huntress on 22/03/2021 - 03:26

As much as I love the rain, La Nina is starting to get old again, and I'm starting to get cabin fever.

I need to go on some longer walks at least.

Is there some trick to getting into nature in the wet?

Everything is wet all the time. There's never anything dry to sit on. So I need to bring a chair or a waterproof surface I guess.

And everything needs to be wiped and dried when I get inside. (including the dogs. and me.) I'm guessing there is no magical pain free way to do this.
At least if something needs washing i can just leave it under the sky for a few hours! (excluding the dogs. and me.)

Are there any regular hikers or campers here? How the hell do you set up camp in the wet? How do you dry off after hiking?

Sports & Outdoors

Comments

  • GnarlyKnuckles on 22/03/2021 - 03:42
    +1

    Long-time-no-chat Baggers …

    The 'trick' is to transcend to the state of an 'all dry' being. Channel your 'inner monk'. And instruct your dog to do that as well. And by the way, I know that technically it's grammatically incorrect to begin a sentence with the word 'and' in non-fictional writing. I "juz don't care". I'm 'madcap-crazy' like that …

  • Hardlyworkin on 22/03/2021 - 06:09
    +6

    You need to shake a lot. Your dog can teach you.

  • iratepirate on 22/03/2021 - 07:44
    +12

    I do a lot of volunteer work in the rain with SES. Having the right clothing for the job helps a lot. I find if my feet are dry then I'm okay, so good waterproof shoes are a must. You can get light weight rain gear but it costs - if you want it to work look for fully taped seams. As for the dogs they are going to get soaked so having lots of old towels to dry them off before they get in the truck is important.

    • bargain huntress on 22/03/2021 - 07:50
      +2

      Thanks for your very helpful reply

      (And for your service with the SES)

    • bargain huntress on 23/03/2021 - 15:48

      how should you fit rain gear - loose, tight, in between?

      • Yizzur on 23/03/2021 - 16:10
        +1

        Your rain gear should fit comfortably and give you room for a) a warm layer underneath and b) movement.

        Most good brands will take this into account, so your normal size should fit a little looser than usual to accommodate the layer.

        You definitely want something seam-taped or seam-sealed and I'd suggest something with an adjustable, peaked hood.

        Gore-tex is expensive but it works. eVent and Pertex are good options too. Most outdoor brands have their own propietary waterproof fabrics with varying levels of quality/functionality. Within reason RRP is usually a good indicator of efficacy, and definitely shop at outlets- styles don't change much between seasons so there are deals to be had.

  • ihbh on 22/03/2021 - 07:59
    +2

    Do it gradually if you've never been out in the rain - e.g. I'm happy to run to the shops and back > 1km each way in drizzling rain to get some fruit and veg.

    For anything heavier I can manage with a Helly Hansen Loke jacket. It was pissing down the other day as I went from the train station to the car with a heavy load and my pants and socks were soaked (I transferred phone and wallet to jacket pocket); they were still a bit wet the next day, but I had no problems wearing them again and letting them dry as I walked in them.

    Wife and kids in addition to their rain jackets (Kathmandu, Aldi) like to wear gum boots; kids love stomping in puddles.

    • bargain huntress on 22/03/2021 - 13:14

      thanks for the helpful reply

      yes good suggestion i don't want to slip over and kill myself or get caught in flash flooding or something
      i plan on being safe

      do you literally 'run' in the rain? ('cause that sounds a little dangerous lol)

      i wish i could be a kid in gumboots again

      • ihbh on 22/03/2021 - 13:46
        +1

        I try to do some HIIT exercise nearly every day where possible. Sprints on the oval near the house or between sections on the way to the shops, some of which is quite hilly which provides a good work out. Just walk back with loaded bags/a watermelon or pumpkin in my arms.

        I run faster if not too wet/slippery - you get used to it.

        • bargain huntress on 22/03/2021 - 13:47

          what kind of shoes do you wear?

          • ihbh on 22/03/2021 - 13:56
            +1

            @bargain huntress: Zero drop shoes. Previously and later Dunlop Volleys, currently Adidas Continental Vulc (bought 5 from COVID sale last year) - the leather mean feet haven't got wet from current rain, whereas the Volleys would have been soaked. Plenty of tread still left on current shoes so haven't felt anything slippery lately.

  • SF3 on 22/03/2021 - 09:18
    -1

    VR to anywhere you like.

  • Euphemistic on 22/03/2021 - 09:30
    +1

    Lots of rain sucks for outdoor activities. Haven’t been mountain biking this ‘summer’. Just got to mix it up, find something different.

    Walking/hiking is fine, but you’ll get wet. Avoid anything that requires sitting or setting up, just leads to being more wet. There’s plenty of different walks available to mix it up.

    • afoveht on 22/03/2021 - 11:40
      +1

      Avoid anything that requires sitting

      I've kayaked in the rain numerous times. In fact if it's an otherwise warmish day and you can dry off properly at the end, and it's not raining too hard, it can be quite fun.

  • pegaxs on 22/03/2021 - 09:42

    If you have a dog that doesn't like going outside in the rain or going mental in the rain and splashing around… you may just have a cat…

    • bargain huntress on 22/03/2021 - 13:24

      haha

      i used to have dogs who loved it! i remember them in the last floods - couldn't keep them out of the flooded paddocks. (they could also goad one of my current dogs into playing chasey in the puddles.)

      my current ones are big babies!

      maybe because one of one cross' breed is from a desert place?
      maybe because there was drought when they were puppies?
      maybe because one is old and a bit ill?

      they're just reluctant though.
      once i get out into the rain, fomo kicks in and they take a deep breath and go for it; they don't seem to enjoy it though.

      spitting rain is the worst i think because they feel all the drops.
      in heavier rain or once they get good and wet ill see if i can get interested in the puddles.
      they also have a dam they should be more interested in! i was keeping them out of it recently because i was worried neighbour had contaminated it but rain should have cleared or diluted it.

  • Pelicannn on 22/03/2021 - 09:45
    +1

    A wise Drill Sergeant once told me “if it ain’t raining, it ain’t training”.

  • pharkurnell on 22/03/2021 - 10:39
    -1

    Is there some trick to getting into nature in the wet?

    Yes, open the door and walk out side.

    Glad to help.

  • Randxyz123 on 22/03/2021 - 11:49
    +1

    High quality wet weather gear makes a big difference. I know this is Oz Bargain but you don’t want to skimp on this. I’d suggest a GORE-TEX rating of >15,000 for a jacket, pants and shoes. It will cost a bit but nothing worse than wet shoes.

    For camping, I’ve set up in the rain many times. The trick is to go with mates and quickly set up everyone’s tent together. Once you are inside and dry you should be fine.

    • bargain huntress on 23/03/2021 - 15:49

      thanks for your helpful reply

      how should you fit rain gear - loose, tight, in between?

      • Randxyz123 on 23/03/2021 - 18:50
        +1

        Personally I think it should be light and the layers underneath should be warm. I prefer my jackets loose but I don’t do that much hiking. You’re probably best off going to Macpac or a outdoorsy shop and asking for some help.

      • Euphemistic on 30/03/2021 - 12:43
        +1

        Rain gear should be light enough that you can wear it in summer without drowning in sweat inside it and large enough to fit a jacket under to keep you warm in winter.

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