Got caught in a monsoon on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia last spring and had to rethink my whole gear setup

I was on a section near Pearisburg when the sky just opened up around 3pm. My cheap rain jacket gave out about 20 minutes in and I was soaked through to my base layer. I ended up ducking under a rock overhang for like 2 hours shivering and watching the trail turn into a stream. After that trip I ditched my $40 poncho and picked up a proper Gore-Tex shell. Anyone else had a sudden storm change how you pack for a route?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_jason19d ago

Picked up a proper Gore-Tex shell" and now you're set? I'd argue a cheap poncho plus a pack liner and a bivy sack would've kept you just as dry for way less money and weight.

lee_barnes7019d ago

@the_jason Have you actually tested a cheap poncho in a real Virginia downpour for TWO hours?