Jul 10
30
Gregory Women’s Angora 26 Backpack
By Karenna Awtry
The flowers are in bloom, the weather is perfect and you’ve found yourself with a few extra hours in your day. It’s the perfect opportunity for a nice day hike.
Get going quickly with the Gregory Women’s Angora 26 backpack, a no-frills daypack that offers such easy organization, you can practically toss your gear in the bag without a second thought. (And isn’t that what spontaneous day hikes are all about?)
By Karenna Awtry
Head out for the week or head out for a month, but if you’re heading out with a heavy load you’ll want to make sure you’re carrying a backpack as hearty as the Gregory Whitney 95 Backpack.
This full-featured and newly updated offering from Gregory — world-renowned for handcrafted, hiker-centric backpack designs — has all the bells and whistles you desire in a serious expedition pack.
Jul 10
26
Quick Tips for Rainy Season Hikes
It looks like the monsoons have arrived in Southwest Colorado and so afternoon storms have been very common over the past few days along with cooler temperatures. The rain has been welcome since the previous two months had been exceptionally dry but the rain and thunder and lightning that accompany it brings a few challenges to us hikers.
The key is to still enjoy the outdoors while keeping dry, comfortable and safe. While many of these tips are not new, 
they bear repeating as reminders to all of us to be prepared in the backcountry. While I won’t go into a complete review of rain gear, suffice to say that buying quality is my #1 tip. Don’t skimp on this because as soon as it starts pouring you will get soaked in a matter of minutes and ultimately chilled which is dangerous even during the summer months. That doesn’t mean just a rain jacket, it means wear hiking pants or shorts that will dry quickly. Oh, and make sure your jacket has a hood that can be cinched down. I found the following article that offers awesome advice about rain gear.
Here are the tips that I would offer a friend getting ready to hike this time of year:
- Start early! These storms generally roll in around 2-4 in the afternoon
- Stay off open slopes and ridges. Lightning often accompanies these storms, don’t be the highest point. There have been many times when the peak is within site and I’ve had to turn back due to an approaching storm. You can hike it another day.
- Wear hiking shoes or boots that grip. I don’t recommend athletic shoes on hiking trails unless you’re an experienced ultra runner. Rocks and roots get extremely slippery when wet
- Make sure your pack is water tight. You can purchase rain shields for your pack to make doubly sure that your stuff stays dry. Again, don’t skimp on your pack.
- Avoid crossing rivers or streams where you can’t see the bottom or where the flow is strong. You can get swept away in a second.
- Bring a waterproof map. It is much easier to get disoriented in a rain storm when your first concern is finding shelter or getting back to your car.
Don’t let a little rain keep you from the hiking trail but be aware and follow these tips and use common sense to make the most of your outdoor experience.
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