| If you are hiking or camping on the coast of BC, you | | | | Trail, gaiters are essential gear. Boggy upland trails |
| are going to have to plan for wet weather, and | | | | are part of the whole length, and trying to go around |
| probably, wet everything that you brought. Some | | | | them is next to impossible and very time consuming. |
| of the coastal hikes in BC are wetter than others | | | | Walking straight through muddy patches and puddles |
| because of the Pacific exposure or more northern | | | | can save an hour a day or more. With a 20 to 25 kg |
| location. The North Coast Trail in Cape Scott | | | | pack on your back, that makes a difference. |
| Provincial Park on Vancouver Island and the Naikoon | | | | Inevitably, your feet get wet, if not from external |
| Trail in Naikoon Provincial Park in Haida Gwaii (the | | | | moisture, from sweat. Take enough pairs of socks |
| Queen Charlotte Islands) are two relatively well | | | | to try to have dry feet each day. This helps prevent |
| developed hikes that are prone to extremes of this | | | | blisters and other foot problems. |
| type of exposure, but any other Vancouver Island or | | | | The next level of dryness is at the camp level. There |
| Washington State coastal trail would qualify. To be | | | | are a number of things you can do to help prevent |
| comfortable in this environment, you will need to figure | | | | moisture from getting to you and your gear. The |
| out how to deal with the moisture. And that's just | | | | type and quality of gear make these methods more or |
| what we are going to do here. | | | | less easy. Your tent is your main shelter against all |
| First, let's look at hiking. The most important part of | | | | elements. It needs to be appropriate and up to the |
| dry, warm hiking is the system you have for your | | | | task. An optional tarp is very helpful, and can even |
| clothes. The clothes need to be the right fabrics for | | | | be a quick, emergency shelter when needed. |
| staying dry and warm. Anything cotton is a big no-no | | | | As with clothing, tents and tarps have become lighter |
| on coastal trips. Cotton gets wet easily, is difficult to | | | | and more flexible over the past few years. The |
| dry, and cools your body off very rapidly. Your | | | | balance between function and weight is extremely |
| mantra should be "No Cotton!" Better fabrics are | | | | important for hiking trips. Modern tents are built to |
| polyester (fleece), polypropylene or merino wool. | | | | keep out moisture and handle strong winds, both of |
| There are a number of high tech applications of all | | | | which are common on the North Coast Trail and the |
| these materials for outdoor use. I won't name brands, | | | | Naikoon. |
| but your outdoor store, work wear store, or ski shop | | | | You must be familiar with the operation of your tent |
| can help you with lines of clothing and with fabrics. | | | | before you leave. Details are important. Know how |
| The right fabrics need to be worn in the right layers. | | | | to stake it out and tighten the fly to prevent water |
| You need a base layer that wicks moisture away | | | | from entering. Pay attentions to how far out the fly is |
| from your body, a mid layer of insulation, or two, or | | | | staked because rain spatter from the ground can |
| three, and an outer layer that sheds water. While | | | | enter the tent under the fly. Understand how to place |
| hiking, you will want to keep the insulation layers light | | | | the ground sheet to prevent water from collecting |
| and keep the outer rain gear layer handy, but off if it is | | | | under the tent. Know how to use the ventilating |
| not raining. Heat loss can be dramatic and can be | | | | systems to prevent condensation inside the tent as |
| fast. When stopping for a break with packs off, | | | | well. Tents collect moisture by being the barrier |
| immediately throw on some of your insulating layers, | | | | between the moist environment and you. When you |
| and especially a hat, to retain your warmth. There is | | | | pack up the tent, know how to fold it and roll it to |
| some practice and skill in how to pack these things. | | | | minimize water transfer to other objects. Make sure |
| But that is another article. | | | | you have plastic garbage bags for the tent and the fly |
| You need a dry set of clothes just for camp, and this | | | | to prevent the moisture from getting other things inside |
| set needs to be in an absolutely waterproof bag inside | | | | your pack wet. |
| your pack. This set of clothes may include another | | | | Modern lightweight tarps are a great way to help |
| dry base layer, but at least needs to be enough | | | | prevent moisture from invading everything you have. |
| insulating layer to keep you warm with little or no | | | | They provide an important shelter for cooking and |
| activity. I usually hike with two light and one | | | | eating areas, and can be placed to cover the door of |
| mid-weight fleece tops, plus an extra base layer just in | | | | your tent so you can enter and exit without getting |
| case, and a fairly heavy pair of fleece pants. I use | | | | wet. This is really helpful when having to shed wet |
| my rain gear as a wind break and an extra heat | | | | outer layers before entering the tent or having a dry |
| retention layer. | | | | place to put on rain gear and boots before breaking |
| Your bagging system is vital to maintaining dryness. | | | | camp. Make sure you have some knowledge |
| The old standard of plastic garbage bags inside stuff | | | | about how to set up a tarp to provide protection and |
| sacks does work, but need some extra care and | | | | for shedding water. It's not rocket science, but a little |
| attention to maintain. The past few years have seen | | | | knowledge and practice make it much easier when |
| extremely lightweight dry sacks brought to the | | | | having to do it in the field with rain coming down and |
| market. You can get these in various sizes, which is | | | | with cold hands. |
| what you need. Again, this is where your outdoor | | | | Last, there are a few things that add extra comfort |
| store can help you tremendously. If you are dealing | | | | when a trip is cold and wet. A nalgene, or other |
| with larger bulky items, such as a sleeping bag, then | | | | drinking bottle, can be used as a hot water bottle inside |
| you have some other issues and options. | | | | clothing layers while finishing set up or cooking and |
| Sleeping bags come in several varieties. The old | | | | eating dinner. These are also very nice inside |
| Coleman cotton/wool bags are absolutely not | | | | sleeping bags at night. Small chemical hand warmers |
| appropriate for coastal areas. They are bulky, not | | | | can also help keep the digits warm, especially when |
| really very warm, and extremely difficult to dry. The | | | | having to do some fiddly, detailed work with hands, like |
| most bomb proof bags are synthetic fill bags because | | | | repairing equipment, or even cooking. Camp towels, |
| they retain their insulating capabilities even if wet. Of | | | | made to be extra light and absorbent can be used to |
| course, it is best to keep them dry because they add | | | | extract water from clothing or boots, or just to wipe |
| weight when wet, and just to be safe, dry is always | | | | down the inside of a wet tent or sleeping pad. If you |
| best for warmth. Down bags can work, but they | | | | are lucky enough to get a night in a good shelter or |
| take extra care. Down bags lose their insulating ability | | | | can build a fire, you may be able to dry out some |
| if the feathers get wet. Both the down and synthetic | | | | things, giving them and extra use or lessening the |
| fill bags can be bulky, but can be compressed easily. | | | | weight of your pack a bit. |
| Very lightweight compression bags are available. A | | | | Keeping dry and warm is essential for really enjoying |
| plastic bag can line the inside of the compression bag, | | | | coastal hiking on the North Coast Trail and other |
| or the whole compression bag/sleeping bag can be | | | | coastal trails. What you bring to do those jobs is |
| put into a lightweight dry bag in the end. | | | | paramount. Modern materials and equipment make it |
| The North Coast Trail and the Naikoon involve some | | | | much easier than in the past, being both good for |
| creek or river fords, so boot protection is important. | | | | warmth and moisture protection, as well as being light |
| Make sure your boots are completely waterproof | | | | in weight. Simple techniques and a little knowledge |
| before leaving. If they are leaking, try to repair the | | | | and planning go a long way to make sure you stay |
| leaky areas and apply conditioning/waterproofing | | | | warm and dry. Starting with your self, then moving |
| compounds to the leather and other upper materials. | | | | out to your camp equipment and practices, it is |
| If water is above the boot top, there is no way to | | | | possible to do a really good job of staying dry, and |
| stop the water from getting in. Mud puddles are a | | | | certainly of staying warm. On your next coastal hike, |
| different matter. Gaiters that connect to the top and | | | | put these principles to action and have a warm and |
| bottom of hiking boots and run up the leg can prevent | | | | dry trip. |
| a lot of wetness inside of boots. For the North Coast | | | | |