Moving from sunny NM to Seattle...

[SweptEdge]

Hi everyone, I have been wondering how to start to accommodate my outdoors gear to fit into a rain forest. I have a couple of ponchos, and some plastic, but I was wondering about tarps and other rain related items.

 

[erik the red]

First off, congratulations on your relocation to the Pacific Northwest! If you like trees and mountains you'll like it here. As far as gear, look at a decent quality rain jacket and pants. Depending on what type of outdoor activities you do they can work well when ponchos not so much. A lightweight sil-nylon tarp or single wall tent with bug netting should provide solid shelter while shedding pack weight. Get you self an OR Seattle Sombrero, Real Deal Brazil Tarp hat or other wide brimmed hat to keep water off of your face and neck. Also, I use a set of waterproof shell mitts when using hands in cool/cold rain.

 

[neeman]

I am used to English rain
I really like good umbrellas
from wind proof folding that fit in the side pocket of a pack
to walking stick umbrellas to super wide golf umbrellas that are like walking staffs

why do I like umbrellas
the are so easy to use and put away
reach into a side pocket or a small bag
up they go and you get surprising good coverage
the bigger golf umbrella is a lot of rain protection
I like the regular walking umbrella as a walking stick

 

[KingMC]

It might rain a lot here, but it's usually not terrible rain. I'd worry more about mosquito protection

 

[trestle]

Watch out for slugs and drivers who camp in the left lane right and drive right at the speed limit out of a perverse sense of pride.

 

[halzucati]

Welcome to the NW, I've been here my whole life and then things that have been most usefull to me living in this region are the following:

1. Slow down, and relax. You're in the wild west now. No need to rush.
2. Have at least 5 pairs of sunglasses... you'll find you loose them between our intermittent bouts of sunshine.
3. Buy a personal coffee cup. Nothing says "Seattle Native" than someone who gets coffee in a non-disposable cup or mug.
4. Visit all of the states climate zones: Ocean, Mountains, Rainforest, and Desert.
5. Eat all the blackberries and public fruit you can find this time of year. Around here its everywhere.

Smile. You now live in one of the best locations on the planet.

- Hal Zucati

 

[SweptEdge]

thanks guys, I'm gonna' be rockin' out there... I may even get my gf and I some used mountain bikes

 

[Sidehill Gouger]

Nothing calls out "not from here" like an umbrella in Washington rain. You learn to just ignore everything but the really hard down pours. One of the reason I think some people will try to tell you it doesn't rain all that much around here.

 

[TheJeepster]

Jeeps Rule!

 

[SweptEdge]

Thanks. Yeah, I have been looking at the Pathfinder Store, and it's too expensive, but I like the ideas. Ohh, I'm getting a Jeep unlimited soon too

 

[Alan G.]

I'm a life long western (wet side) Washington resident. What kind of outdoor activities are you looking to do?

I'm a big fan of a wide brimmed hat for the rain. As mentionted the OR Seattle Sombrero is good if you like modern fabrics. I don't like the restricted visability and hearing that comes with a hood. If you plan to do many activities in the winter, get the best rain jacket and rain pants you can afford. I'd put more emphasis on the jacket though.

If camping in the winter, brush up on your tarp hanging skills so you can have a dry spot to sit by the fire. I have some extendable poles from an old canvas tent that allow me to push the edges or middle of a tarp up as necessary.

 

[TheJeepster]

Jeeps Rule!

 

[neeman]

Nothing calls out "not from here" like an umbrella in Washington rain. You learn to just ignore everything but the really hard down pours. One of the reason I think some people will try to tell you it doesn't rain all that much around here.

in that case definitely get an umbrella...........

 

[SweptEdge]

Be sure to change your Location on here to Washington State or what ever you come up with.

I will bro, ty

I'm a life long western (wet side) Washington resident. What kind of outdoor activities are you looking to do?

I'm a big fan of a wide brimmed hat for the rain. As mentionted the OR Seattle Sombrero is good if you like modern fabrics. I don't like the restricted visability and hearing that comes with a hood. If you plan to do many activities in the winter, get the best rain jacket and rain pants you can afford. I'd put more emphasis on the jacket though.

If camping in the winter, brush up on your tarp hanging skills so you can have a dry spot to sit by the fire. I have some extendable poles from an old canvas tent that allow me to push the edges or middle of a tarp up as necessary.

I really want to make a camp, and have some fires... Maybe a squirrel or two to eat. later I will hike more.

Ive already invested in a mountain Hardware jacket that I love

 

[Hammer67]

I used to live on the Olympic Peninsula. Seattle is fairly dry by comparison. Just get a decent lightweight rain jacket/pants, maybe a good brimmed hat and go have fun.

And yes - there is no quicker way to shout "I'm not from around here" than to stroll around with an umbrella. And if you're hiking in thick, Pacific northwest forest a big umbrella is totally impractical and will get hung up on everything.

It's just water. Embrace it and you will thrive in the PNW.

 

[Grease]

Nothing calls out "not from here" like an umbrella in Washington rain. You learn to just ignore everything but the really hard down pours. One of the reason I think some people will try to tell you it doesn't rain all that much around here.

It doesn't rain much, but it rains a little all the time

We'll get a solid week of drizzle or very very light rain. Rain accumulation is very little, but it rains a lot.

Although, a couple times each year we seem to get a torrential downpour. Being on 405 north or south is fun when that happens, because most people react like it's raining lava rather than water.

 

[Grease]

Oh, and one thing to keep in mind... If the weatherman says it might rain, it means he looked at a map and saw a cloud 400 miles away that could hit us, or it could hit CA or AK instead. The weather predictions around here are off by several days as often as not, and sometimes they're just plain wrong. Pretty much the only accurate predictions we get are continuations of our current weather - summer temperatures during long sunny streaks, or rain chances when it's been pouring all week.

 

[Bob W]

Moving from sunny NM to Seattle...

I wouldn't.
If we have an overcast day here in New Mexico I get feeling mopey and lethargic. Two days of that in a row...

Here's an article about dealing with the Portland Winter Blues. There are probably also articles about the Autumn Blues, Summer Blues, and Spring Blues.
http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2011/11/avoid_portlands_winter_blues_w.html
Seriously, you might consider getting one of those sun lamps.

Also the lack of sunlight can cause vitamin D deficiency, a possible factor for many serious health issues including MS, cancer, and bone diseases. I'd consider taking a supplement.

I'd still like to visit there though.

 

[Grease]

Also the lack of sunlight can cause vitamin D deficiency, a possible factor for many serious health issues including MS, cancer, and bone diseases. I'd consider taking a supplement.

I'd still like to visit there though.

I think Seattle actually averages about 45% sunny days and 55% overcast each year, so it's really not that bad. Close to half and half means lots of beautiful green nature and lots of sun to enjoy it in.

 

[olybears57]

As stated above...Umbrellas are for tourists I wouldn't suggest them right off the bat (because of price) but an old Seattle company by the name of Filson makes some very nice, extremely durable outdoor gear in the way of foresters of a century ago. Wax finished, oiled cotton. Not quite as waterproof as new goretex, but it will outlast any gore tex garmant by far! Also check out OR (outdoor research) another wonderful local outdoor company. Both filson and OR have retail locations in south seattle, just a few blocks away.