How bad before you call off your trip?

**Gideon** · 12-03-2012, 15:29

I know it's impossible to cover all of the scenarios; but generally speaking, how bad does the weather forcast have to be before you'll cancel a trip?

I'm planning a 3 day/2 night hike to the Irish Wilderness in Missouri later this week. Day 1 is sunny, day 2 is 40% chance of rain, day 3 is 50% chance of rain. I have a great hammock/tarp set up and good rain gear/shoes but I'm on the fence. I don't fancy hiking any real distance in the rain...still I dont' want to give up the trip. It got me to thinking about when is the forecast bad enough that we cance?

How about you?

PS I'm leaning on going any way

Gideon

**raiffnuke** · 12-03-2012, 15:32

That forcast would not slow me down. Besides, it is so relaxing and easy to sleep when you are warm and dry in your hammock, listening to the rain hit your tarp.

**affreeman** · 12-07-2012, 04:45

Originally Posted by raiffnuke

That forcast would not slow me down. Besides, it is so relaxing and easy to sleep when you are warm and dry in your hammock, listening to the rain hit your tarp.

+1 And I'll add that I actually enjoy hiking in the rain. A wet day makes the colors so vibrant! I also find wet hikes somehow more introspective. Maybe it's the lack of grand views that helps me focus on the little things.

To top it all off is the simple satisfaction of staying comfortable in adverse conditions.

**MedicineMan** · 12-03-2012, 15:33

Sounds like a great opportunity to test gear! Just make sure you've practiced at home and can be confident in the gear itself and your ability to deploy it. There will always be that chance-chance of weather, chance of failure either in your or gear, chance or damage/leaks/tears....but also the chance to get out there and be in the woods!

**angrysparrow** · 12-03-2012, 15:34

Originally Posted by Gideon

how bad does the weather forcast have to be before you'll cancel a trip?

Known hurricane.

I tend to go because it will be raining.

**SilvrSurfr** · 12-03-2012, 15:59

Originally Posted by angrysparrow

Known hurricane.

I tend to go because it will be raining.

Same here. I had to cut short a canoe trip last year due to Hurricane Irene, not because it was going to hit my campsite in the Adirondacks, but because it was aiming for my home in NJ. I got home just an hour before they closed the Garden State Parkway, which would have kept my sons and I from getting home.

I would never cancel a hike for rain because I like rain. I don't like hiking in it, but I do like sleeping in it. I might cancel a hike for a blizzard or extremely low temps exceeding the capabilities of my insulation.

Both my sons and a couple of hiking buddies will bail in a heartbeat if there's rain in the forecast. I just go without them. Wimps.

**Demeter** · 12-03-2012, 21:46

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

I would never cancel a hike for rain because I like rain. I don't like hiking in it, but I do like sleeping in it.

Ya, and you sure slept through the hail and 40 mph gusts during the MAHHA pre-hike with Highlife while I sit drinking in my truck!!

**FLRider** · 12-04-2012, 09:59

Originally Posted by angrysparrow

Known hurricane.

I tend to go because it will be raining.

Yeah, that sounds familiar.

For me, hurricane-force winds where I'm intending to be, 105*+ F heat with 100% humidity, or temperatures below what my gear is rated for (right now, below 15* F) are the show-stoppers.

Otherwise? "Y'see, this one time, when I was hiking through..." makes for a good story to trade over a beer...

**Floridahanger** · 12-06-2012, 22:45

Originally Posted by FLRider

Yeah, that sounds familiar.

For me, hurricane-force winds where I'm intending to be, 105*+ F heat with 100% humidity, or temperatures below what my gear is rated for (right now, below 15* F) are the show-stoppers.

Otherwise? "Y'see, this one time, when I was hiking through..." makes for a good story to trade over a beer...

Although FLRider says this, here is his trip report. I also add that I love this trip report. http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=40512

Just prepare what you can and enjoy the rest.

**FLRider** · 12-06-2012, 23:30

Originally Posted by Floridahanger

Although FLRider says this, here is his trip report. I also add that I love this trip report. http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=40512

Just prepare what you can and enjoy the rest.

I think the regionally-acceptable response here is, "Aw, shucks."

Thanks for the praise, Floridahanger, but you get out there, too! I saw you out in the freaking cold weather this last January...

Also, the prepare and enjoy quote? Absolutely correct. Mind if I steal that for my sig?