Backpacker Magazine – January 2012

Backpacker Bible: Stay Dry

Learn how to cope with relentless rain, and you can experience some of the Earth's holiest places–Alaska! Patagonia!–in comfort.

by: The Backpacker Editors

Tags:
• Gear
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• Skills
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Cover Up
MontBell U.L. Trekking Umbrella
An umbrella affords a few square feet of sanity during ceaseless downpours, whether it’s for eating, map reading, or just snapping a picture. And hiking with an umbrella (when there’s no wind) upgrades your view. Bonus: This one is so light it hardly needs justification ($39; 5.8 oz.; montbell.us).


Rig a Kitchen Tarp
It’s more comfortable than vestibule cooking, and in bear country, you want to keep food away from your tent anyway. An A-frame (left) affords maximum weather protection, while a lean-to  affords more headroom and a better view. No trees? Use trekking poles guyed out in two directions for stability.

Thou Shalt Not: Overheat.
When waterproof/breathable shells get steamy, dial down your pace, or wear the jacket like a vest: Stick your arms through the pit zips and tuck the sleeves into pockets.

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