Umbrella - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

Thinking of bringing a lightweight umbrella for a luxury item. Am I crazy? My reasoning is one 20min downpour can ruin a day of hiking. If you can stay dry for a few showers you hike dry the whole day. Thoughts?

Terodactyle

#2

Tero–
While I don’t use an umbrella on the trail, those I’ve encountered out there would not be caught without one.
Push

Push

#3

Tero–
While I don’t use an umbrella on the trail, those I’ve encountered out there with umbrellas would not be caught without one.
Push

Push

#4

On your 6 month long hike it will rain less than ten percent of the time and all that time you will be carrying the umbrella. It’s a common discard or “mail-home” item from shakedowns at Neel’s Gap. If you encounter a guy with a umbrella then it must be raining at that moment,what do you think he will say? Day in and day out on the trail you will see 20 kinds of rain that range from the drippys from the trees to a drizzle to full blown Nor’easter. It sucks. Hikers will seek shelter when they can and suit up when they can’t then soldier on. If you decide to start out with one make sure it a cheap-o because you will be tossing it.

Frank

#5

On the AT due to the close brush cover around the trail an umbrella does not work that well. Out west I think it is more common due to the wider open trails. I have seen several hikers who do carry them over the years. When it rains out and it is not cold I will generally not use anything and be thankful for the free shower.

Big B

#6

Thanks guys. I think I will bring a cheap one ($1 store). Will try it for a month. April should be a good test. Would not discard anything at neels gap because I believe a week is not enough time to judge any piece of equipment. Thanks again.

Terodactyle

#7

I am a 74 year old long section hiker. I have carried an umbrella on AT, PCT, CDT, Camino and ADT. Yes, there are places and times it won’t work. But many in which it does, and in particular it keeps the area between your back and the pack dry as well as your head and quite a bit of the rest of you. In my experience unless you do a poncho, that area between your pack and back will get wet and wetness proceed into your pack.With an umbrella there is no need to sweat under your raingear. In my experience no rain gear breathes enough for me not to get wet with sweat unless it is REALLY cold. And you can use it for shade on hot days. To each his own but I don’t want to be on the trail without mine. Also - figure out how to use it without using a hand. For a woman, putting it under the chest strap and then stabilized in your sports bra works great. Can’t tell you how many male hikers have looked enviously at how I use my umbrella while it is raining - on every one of those trails.

Medicare Pastor

#8

addendum - Don’t mean to say males cannot come up with a system to hold the umbrella. Shroomer just jams his under the chest strap. Others advocate a bit of velcro on straps.

One additional comment - Some years have seen a LOT of rain on the AT. It does not require extreme cold to get hypothermia.Unless you plan to go without raingear of some kind 'cause it “only rains 10% of the time” you might consider whether an umbrella is right for you.

Yes, they can come to grief - I fell into a tree in New York and that ended that umbrella. Gear sometimes fails. I just got another one. Wore that one out. On my third one now. - I’ve been carrying one since 2008.

Medicare Pastor

#9

Umbrellas are multi purpose. Have used mine for sun protection in early march while in GA, wind protection for cooking, placed at the end of my tarp at night, or while walking / or sitting to break the wind when chilly.

With regards to all those leaves on the AT, the umbrella is perfect for those lingering rain drops falling from trees on wet days.

Occasionally, the wind / rain will be too strong for umbrella use and under these conditions I tend to hole up and wait for the storm to pass.

stealth

#10

I agree with Push, talk with those who use one and they will tell you its worth the weight. “Wired” uses one, and I just met with two people who did a SOBO this last year, they loved theirs. “Wired” has some pictures of how she has attached hers to her pack. She also uses it for other purposes.

Cheers

#11

I startex my thru hike of P C T in 07’ with an umbrella for the desert sun but found it useful the entire trip, even the snow in the Cascades.

Stamplady

#12

If it only rains ten percent of the time you are still looking at over 300 hours of rain over the course of 5 months. Sounds like a lot to me.

Johnny Osborne