You’re on the trail having a great time.
You’ve seen some amazing sights, are right on pace with where you want to get to before dark and then you see it.
Rain clouds.
And they’re coming in fast.
Getting trapped in the middle of a rainstorm can be a very serious thing.
But there are some things you can focus on to help you get through it safely and (relatively) comfortably.
Here’s what you should do if you get caught in a heavy rain while backpacking.
Remember That Hypothermia Can Set In Fast
Even in warmer climates, a heavy rain can bring in the possibility of hypothermia.
This is even greater of a chance if you are in a colder climate.
Knowing this, you want to seek out the two things that can get you through: shelter and fire.
These two will help you to stop getting more wet and help you get warmer.
Now that we’ve established the essentials, let’s break them down.
Find Shelter
While caught up in the rain you’ll want to quickly find shelter.
If you have a tent you can use this too, but finding dry natural shelter will often lead to finding dry tinder.
Be on the lookout for a rock overhang or dense trees that will help shield you from the rain.
Once you’ve found shelter you’ll want to start looking for dry tinder and kindling.
Build A Fire
Gather what you need to start your fire and make sure the materials are out of the rain.
They are already wet you don’t want them to continue to soak!
There are many different types of tinder that can be harvested easily, such as pine needles or bark.
Some tinder, such as fatwood (the resin-filled heartwood of a pine tree) and birch bark will light even when wet.
You’ll also want to gather a pile of small sticks that are pencil size or smaller in diameter.
These sticks will dry out very quickly and will burn easily, helping to create a coal bed.
That coal bed will make things much easier to light the rest.
You’ll then want to grab sticks that are thumb-size in diameter and larger.
This will allow you to build your fire up to a decent size.
In order to burn a fire for a full night, you’ll need a pile of sticks roughly the size of a small pickup truck bed, so plan accordingly.
Set Up Your Tent If You Have One
Once you’ve got an established fire going, you’ll want to take out your tent and set it up.
This will allow you to lay out your gear and hopefully hop in a dry sleeping bag to warm up in.
Just remember to remove your clothes before you get in your sleeping bag.
A wet bag is a cold bag!
Remove Any Wet Clothes
Wet clothing will be pulling heat away from you at this point, so it’s best to remove them.
And since you’re not going to be moving around as much searching for fuel, you won’t be creating as much heat.
Use the fire you’ve just built or the tent you’ve set up to dry out your clothes and keep you warm.
Do not put any wet clothes back on, it will not help you to warm up.
You can hop in your sleeping bag at this point and try to wait out the storm.
Key Points To Remember Along The Way
Since there are quite a few different terrains you can be in when a rainstorm hits, you won’t always have the same resources (i.e. natural cover may be different or certain tinder won’t be accessible).
In any situation involving a rainstorm, however, there are a few key points to remember:
1. Get below the treeline to avoid getting struck by lightning
The threat of lightning can be pretty severe while caught in a storm.
That threat is heightened greatly if you are above the treeline, so be sure to get to lower ground in the event of a storm.
2. Always remain on the trail
If you remain on the trail, you are not lost.
There may be situations where the current trail will take you on a much longer route than you would like.
But it will also allow you to map out where you are and find an exit point.
Sometimes it is tempting to pull out your compass and try to find your own way, but it is very dangerous to divert from the existing trails.
3. Try to avoid getting wet
This sounds obvious, but it’s more about preparation than anything.
Always prepare for rain on your trips by bringing a poncho, rain jacket, or similar.
Having adequate clothing could be all you need to avoid hypothermia.
And regardless of whether you come prepared or not, do your best to find natural shelter as quickly as possible.
It could save you!
Are There Any Other Tips We Forgot To Mention?
Getting caught in a rainstorm while backpacking can be a scary thing.
But it doesn’t have to be extremely dangerous if you prepare.
Always pack a rainproof layer of clothing or similar and get to natural shelter quickly if you do get caught in a storm.
Are there any other tips we forgot to mention?
Let us know in the comments below!