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“If it aint rainin, we aint trainin!” Anyone that has served in the military can probably tell you a story or two about spending the night sleeping under the stars. The rain clouds move in and let loose with a seemingly endless downpour. Being unprepared for this inevitable scenario can leave even the hardest of men shivering through the night. If you pay attention, I can help you how make even the worst of conditions somewhat enjoyable or at least bearable.
There are two things that come to mind when we think about staying warm and dry in the rain, clothing and shelter. Staying warm, means staying dry in most cases. We have all experienced those warm summer showers from time to time when you’re able to frolic around in the rain having a ball. Sadly however, 99% of the time you will find yourself cold and miserable when dealing with rain. Especially if there is any amount of wind involved, and there usually is.
First lets look at clothing. By far, the single best thing you can have when dealing with rain is some sort of rain suit. I highly recommend a Gore-Tex rain suit if you are serious about spending time in the woods during adverse weather conditions. There are many options you can choose from here, but I recommend that you check out the military equipment available on the market today. It has been tested by our nations finest and if it works for them, it will surely work for any adventure you might be planning. This is good gear and it will cost you some money, but you get what you pay for. If your budget will only allow for a plastic rain suit, then so be it. It will work and it’s better than nothing. You will find however, that your body will begin to create moisture between the plastic and your clothes due to condensation and you will eventually end up wet anyway and that is what we are trying to avoid. Gore-Tex allows that moisture to escape while also providing you with rain protection. Good boots are also a must and there are many types on the market as well. Many of the best use the Gore-Tex fabric for the same reasons…Dry = Warm!
The final word on clothing, keep your unworn clothes dry. Wet clothes are worthless! Zip-lock freezer bags are perfect for this and they will also help you to vacuum pack your clothes. This is big when every bit of space you have is precious. As a side note between you and me, always carry extra socks and t-shirts; you’ll thank me later!
Now lets look at shelter. There are some things you can do to make your campsite a success. There are hundreds of tents on the market today and for the most part, most of them will provide a fair amount of rain protection. There are a few things to look for when buying your tent though. First, make sure it has a waterproof floor and second, a waterproof rain fly. Most tents will have these features, but do yourself a favor and make sure before you buy one.
Campsite choice… here is your bread and butter people. Where and how you place your tent will make a huge difference in how dry you will be during a rainstorm. Ideally, you want to look for an area that is slightly elevated to ensure you will be safe from any rising water, such as creeks, streams, rivers, etc. Then you will also want to have an idea of how weather moves through the area you will be camping in. For the most part, weather travels in the same general direction when it moves across the country. Know these patterns for the area you will be in and place your tent accordingly. Face the back of your tent directly into or at a slight angle to the oncoming weather. This will prevent the wind and rain from penetrating the door of your tent and allow you to exit and enter without getting the inside too wet. It should also allow you to keep the air vents in the door opened slightly, letting some air in if needed. You will also want to place the tent on the backside of a hill, away from the direction in which the weather should be coming from. The best location would be a slight plateau on the backside of a hill. Next, you will want to dig a trench around all sides of the tent. Make it about six inches deep and taper it to the front of the tent which should be pointing down hill. The downhill lie may not even be noticeable, but it will still help. This will allow any runoff coming down the hill to pass by your tent and continue down the hill.
Lastly, always try to keep away from power lines, lone trees, radio towers or any other object that could draw lightening. If you follow these simple guidelines, camping in the rain may end up being fun adventure.
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