Got caught in a bad storm on the Appalachian Trail near Roanoke

I was hiking a 10 mile section of the Appalachian Trail outside Roanoke last month and a sudden thunderstorm rolled in with no warning. I didn't have a proper rain cover for my pack and all my gear got soaked through, including my sleeping bag. Does anyone have a good tip for drying out gear fast when you're stuck in a remote shelter?

2 comments

2 Comments

barnes.jamie11h ago

and honestly the best thing you can do in a shelter is just make a clothesline between the rafters with some paracord and hang everything up even if it's still dripping. yeah it's gonna take a while but that natural airflow is way better than trying to use a campfire or stove inside the shelter which is just dumb and dangerous. i also try to wring out my sleeping bag as much as i can then stuff it loose with my dirty clothes to help it dry from the inside out. if you have a trash bag you can also create a little makeshift greenhouse by draping it over stuff in the sun when the rain stops, just weigh the edges down with rocks so it doesn't blow away. but fr the real pro tip is to always carry a dry sack for your sleeping bag and puffy jacket no matter what the forecast says, learned that one the hard way myself.

derekp705h ago

Wait you stuffed your wet sleeping bag with dirty clothes to help it dry? That sounds like a great way to end up with a mildewed sleeping bag and a bunch of stinky laundry. I gotta say I'm shocked that actually worked for you without ruining everything.