McRat
New member
My nine year old daugher, 'Squeaky', has been joining me on hikes and keeps looking for more. She had climbed Osceola without problem a couple weeks ago, and wanted to join me for a Hike-A-Thon to benefit the American Diabetes Association Research Fund. Surely the Mrs. McRat would let me pencil in an extra hiking day for such a good cause... not to mention getting the chance to spend a day hiking Mt. Jackson with my daughter! 
Rain had been forecast. We decided that if the weather was poor, we would do Mt. Tom instead. We set up camp, enjoyed a fire, and listened to the owls hoot before going to sleep.
We woke up to rain, and it stayed with us. Visibility was 1/16th of a mile, and Tom was the hike-du-jour. I suggested we might even do Willard.
Squeaky just asked, "Is it a 4000 footer?"
"No, but it is a much shorter hike. Which has nice views, if we get any."
The exasperated look she shot me from under the hood of her raincoat was my answer.
Mt. Tom. I think we may have another peakseeker in the family
We hiked in that light rain that falls off of trees, the rain that drills right past the leaves, and the rain that turned the white petals on some painted trilliums completely transparent. We had the rain that fell straight down and the stuff that hits at an angle. Everything from a light mist to large drops that bounce off the rocks. The rain that runs into your eyes... and the stream that rolls down your back.
I think I'm finally qualified to say I know a little bit about hiking in the rain.
It's not that bad once you resign yourself to getting soaked. Truly resigned. No silent faith in the groundless marketing claims of 'waterproof AND breathable' or thoughts of "Hey, this could go away any minute." Total acceptance of the fact that (temperatures permitting) there is absolutely nothing you can do to keep from getting soaked, and that all the means of slowing this process are more uncomfortable than just getting drenched.
Early on in the hike, I was still resisting as I slowly steamed up inside my raincoat. I asked myself why exactly do I do this. As I slowly reached saturation point, I put the rain jacket in the pack. I figured any day in the mountains is a good day, and weather is just another part of being outdoors.
All things considered, the trail conditions weren't too bad. Careful footing was needed in places, but otherwise things were in good shape. The trail was clear of blowdowns and the water bars were working fine.
We made it up to the summit of Mt. Tom for Squeaky's second 4000 footer, as viewless at her first on Osceola. The seemed very happy about the accomplishment - I can only imagine what she'll do when she gets a glipse of the Whites on a clear day.
I was having a ball. She was in great spirits the whole trip, and she pointed out all sorts of little details that I might have walked by without noticing. We talked and joked and the time flew by. Even with a slow, careful descent we still made it up and back in 4 hours and 15 minutes.
Yes we got drenched, but we didn't see a single member of the insect air force all day. We had adapted our mindset to the weather, and attitude proved to be more valuable than gear.
(Not that we didn't really appreciate the fireplace at the Highland Center and a quick change into dry clothes. )
Pics can be found HERE
Rain had been forecast. We decided that if the weather was poor, we would do Mt. Tom instead. We set up camp, enjoyed a fire, and listened to the owls hoot before going to sleep.
We woke up to rain, and it stayed with us. Visibility was 1/16th of a mile, and Tom was the hike-du-jour. I suggested we might even do Willard.
Squeaky just asked, "Is it a 4000 footer?"
"No, but it is a much shorter hike. Which has nice views, if we get any."
The exasperated look she shot me from under the hood of her raincoat was my answer.
Mt. Tom. I think we may have another peakseeker in the family
We hiked in that light rain that falls off of trees, the rain that drills right past the leaves, and the rain that turned the white petals on some painted trilliums completely transparent. We had the rain that fell straight down and the stuff that hits at an angle. Everything from a light mist to large drops that bounce off the rocks. The rain that runs into your eyes... and the stream that rolls down your back.
I think I'm finally qualified to say I know a little bit about hiking in the rain.
It's not that bad once you resign yourself to getting soaked. Truly resigned. No silent faith in the groundless marketing claims of 'waterproof AND breathable' or thoughts of "Hey, this could go away any minute." Total acceptance of the fact that (temperatures permitting) there is absolutely nothing you can do to keep from getting soaked, and that all the means of slowing this process are more uncomfortable than just getting drenched.
Early on in the hike, I was still resisting as I slowly steamed up inside my raincoat. I asked myself why exactly do I do this. As I slowly reached saturation point, I put the rain jacket in the pack. I figured any day in the mountains is a good day, and weather is just another part of being outdoors.
All things considered, the trail conditions weren't too bad. Careful footing was needed in places, but otherwise things were in good shape. The trail was clear of blowdowns and the water bars were working fine.
We made it up to the summit of Mt. Tom for Squeaky's second 4000 footer, as viewless at her first on Osceola. The seemed very happy about the accomplishment - I can only imagine what she'll do when she gets a glipse of the Whites on a clear day.
I was having a ball. She was in great spirits the whole trip, and she pointed out all sorts of little details that I might have walked by without noticing. We talked and joked and the time flew by. Even with a slow, careful descent we still made it up and back in 4 hours and 15 minutes.
Yes we got drenched, but we didn't see a single member of the insect air force all day. We had adapted our mindset to the weather, and attitude proved to be more valuable than gear.
(Not that we didn't really appreciate the fireplace at the Highland Center and a quick change into dry clothes.
) Pics can be found HERE
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