[pct-l] Hiking with an umbrella?

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

I found a Chrome Dome in the trash in Kennedy Meadows in 2008. I  
guess whoever carried it figured the sun was all done now that they  
were in the Sierras. I took the umbrella knowing that the sun totally  
fries you in the Sierras. I really wished I'd had that umbrella way  
back at the beginning. Portable shade. It felt so good to get that  
hot sun off my head! I carried that old thing the entire rest of the  
trail in 2008 and 2009. (Even continued to use it around town for  
rain--all patched with duct tape.)

In So Cal in 2008 I hiked without it, not having acquired it yet. I  
managed because I am used to the heat and sun. I wear long sleeves, a  
big hat, long pants and do not use sunscreen so my pores can do their  
thing. I try to soak my hat and/or shirt in creeks when I can. I  
don't take a break during the day. I feel cooler just continuing down  
the trail where walking generates a little breeze.

It rained on me on my second time across the Mojave in 2009. It  
rained on me during that big 36 mile section across the Kelso Valley  
area. It rained on me on the way to Canebrake Road. It rained on the  
way to Owens Peak. Sometimes there was wind. I attached the umbrella  
to my shoulder strap with shock cord and cord locks and held the  
front of it with my hands when the wind was really blowing. A few  
times it blew backwards but it always flipped right back. It worked  
great. An umbrella is so sensible.

I used the umbrella in Washington in the rain. It doesn't rain the  
same way in Washington as it does in So Cal where I'm from. The rain  
comes from all directions. I swear it just comes right out of the  
air. I think it even comes up from the ground. Even when it's not  
raining it's still raining in Washington. Here in So Cal when the  
weather guy says 20% chance of rain there's no chance it's going to  
rain. In Washington they mean it'll rain 20% of the time and the rest  
of the time, water is going to drip from the trees. Those  
Washingtonians will see a little tiny blue hole in the clouds and say  
cheerfully, "It's a sunny day! The sky is clear!" They're nuts! I  
don't know how anybody can stand to live somewhere so wet. All that  
rain makes the plants grow like monsters. Wet plants slapped me in  
the face for hundreds of miles. I had no rain jacket, only chaps and  
the umbrella. The only part of my that was dry was under the chaps  
and at the top of my head.

I bought kits to make Parchos for me and TrailHacker. If we make it  
to Washington (and the kits are like either a hopeful wish or most  
likely a jinx or possibly the trigger of a long drought in  
Washington) I will try the Parcho instead. But I bring the umbrella  
everywhere else.


On Mar 17, 2011, at 4:47 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>
> OK - I can't believe I'm actually going ask this since I'm from  
> Seattle but here
> goes:
>
> Those of you who have through hiked the PCT did you use an  
> umbrella? I'm from
> Seattle and am used using hoods and hats for both rain and sun  
> protection. I
> have read a few trail journals where the hiker used an umbrella  
> with happy
> results. What say you? I'm looking at my list and I'm down to the  
> umbrella issue
> which is good since I start in 22 days.
>
> I appreciate the help on this.
>
> Thanks
> Joyce