Wet Morning

dennisbench · Post by **dennisbench** » Sep 18 2002 2:53 pm

I surely had a wet adventure this morning. I drove up to the Mazatzal Wilderness, off of FR201 at about 8am. The clouds were looking a little dark the closer I got to the turnoff from 87, but I wasn't ready for a downpour. Unfortunately I only have an old 2WD Sonoma, which can take some rough roads but has its limits. I got about 5 miles back from the highway when I reached a stretch that I wasn't about the try to climb up. So I decided to make the best of it and find anything resembling a trail and walk around. At that point I found a fairly worn deerpath, which I spooked three whitetails from, to follow. About two minutes in the rain started, I had my daypacks' raincover but hadn't brought my jacket. Oh well. I hiked around for about 2 miles at which time it was a complete downpour, the temperature was kinda cold, and I was drenched from head to toe. It was actually kinda refreshing. I took a few pictures, saw some more deer, and decided that the rough road back would be even more fun with lots of water, so I turned back. I finally made it back to the truck soaked to the bone. The slow ride back to the highway was precarious, but no major mishaps. Altogether it was an enjoyable hike, and I know I need a better equipped vehicle to get back all the way to where I was headed. The difference in temps was incredible, as I hadn't been at that altitude in AZ yet. By the time I got back to within 25 miles of Mesa, it was all dry.

MaryPhyl · Post by **MaryPhyl** » Sep 18 2002 5:52 pm

Can you say 99 cent poncho ;) If I am not taking anything else I take one of those--just stays in the day pack.

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Sep 18 2002 6:41 pm

Good to hear you made it back without mishap!

I'm a big fan of the $1 poncho & swear it saved my life once mountain biking on the rim in the early 90's

Here's what they look like and are available at REI or Popular
http://hikearizona.com/images/poncho.jpg

Grab a couple as it's a toss once used, but well worth a buck
Resourceful individuals will find other uses for the plastic in a squeeze

Wiz · Post by **Wiz** » Sep 19 2002 6:03 am

Another good option is the 33 gallon 1.1 mil (or heavier) garbage bag. Lighter than a poncho, folds up tiny, and if you don't get rained on but find a big pile of garbage, you can clean it up. If it rains just cut head and arm holes and it's a raincoat. If it gets ripped up on the hike just pitch it and pull another one. I discovered this by chance when I was caught in the Superstitions in a downpour and hadn't brought a poncho. Worked great!

Of course, it's only for emergencies.

Daryl · Post by **Daryl** » Sep 19 2002 11:31 am

The garbage bag also makes a nice sleeping bag in a pinch!

You can also get a space blanket at REI that is reuseable. It's bright red on one side and a reflective space blanket color on the other. It the same material/durability as a standard tarp and unfolds to 5'x7' (I think).
It can be used as a sleeping bag, a lean to, a great signaling device, a rain coat... they cost about $11.
They weigh about a pound and fold down to the size of a couple of magazines.

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Sep 19 2002 1:56 pm

If your goal is cheap and durable ask for a couple garbage bags from about any restaurant

they run from 38-55 gallon size, much lighter and durable then anything you can buy

the 46 gallon bags only wieght 1.6 oz compared to the 2.2 oz poncho

for picking up garbage the standard plastic bags your groceries come in should be sufficient, unless your hiking Havasu (from what I hear!)
I usually just stuff the little I cross in my hydration pack compartments

Abe · Post by **Abe** » Sep 21 2002 7:38 am

I pack along an ol' military poncho. Excellent item for just about everything one cound run into in the sticks. Let my son wear it when we were up on Humphrey's Peak to break the wind. Great ground cover. Should I find myself spending the night as a guest of nature, can make a lean-too with it. And of course, as a poncho when it rains.

BoyNhisDog · Post by **BoyNhisDog** » Sep 21 2002 7:58 am

I never hike without a few things and a sil nylon poncho is one of them. It is very durable and will double as a shelter if you have some line to rig it up.

A Few of the Essentials

You can get some contractors garbage bags at Walmart that are supposed to be very durable, make good shelter/poncho or sleeping bag in an emergency.

Nighthiker · Post by **Nighthiker** » Sep 21 2002 8:35 am

I carry a military poncho, nylon line and a large 55 gallon plastic bag. You may want to review a book entitled The Weather Wizards Cloud Book by Louis Rubin & Jim Duncan and or the National Audubon Society pocket guide to Clouds and Storms. Rock formations, tracks in the dirt, lines in a tree and the light of the night sky tell a story of the past. The clouds will tell a story of the future.