What to pack

dougo83

dougo83

Joined
Feb 28, 2008
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Ok I am going to Portland from May 10-21 for a class. What should I pack clothes-wise? I am not packing a ton of gear due to space restrictions, but I am not sure what kind of weather I should expect. Any help is great.
 
Hey there. It rains a lot and can get a little brisk at night. Most stores here sell umbrellas for 5-10$. Sunglasses and a hat are probably a safe bet for May.

Enjoy your trip and visit some of the breweries :)
J.
 
I dunno if this changes things, but this is from the syllabus. Doesn't leave much free time for hitting breweries and such.

Three distinct mountain ranges will be visited, including the Cascades, the Coast Range, and the Siskiyous. Visits will be made to three volcanoes: Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Mazama (Crater Lake). Students will explore several river systems, including the Columbia, Willamette, Salmon (Oregon Coast), Metolius, Deschutes, and Opal Creek. And, of course, students will hike trails along the great waterfalls of the Columbia Gorge and watch migrating salmon navigate the man-made fish ladders at Bonneville Dam.
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Yeah, I'd prep for light, but possibly constant, rain or mist. It's been AWESOME the past few days though.
 
peripatew said:
Woah, what kind if class is this?!?!
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Ecology of the PNW. I am a double-major: theology and enviro. sci. I just got back from a Central Texas tour. I also have to go to:

1. PNW
2. Hawaii or Belize
3. Guadalupe Mtns.
4. Grand Canyon
5. Big Bend
6. Texas Panhandle
7. Texas Piney Woods
8. I also have to do a native plants tour of Austin, TX

This is, of course, in additon to all the other fun coursework. We have probably the best field science program in the state.
 
Being it's a ways off, I'd check the Weather Channel forcast a few days before you leave. SOP in the PNW is keep a parka handy.
 
dougo83 said:
Ok I am going to Portland from May 10-21 for a class. What should I pack clothes-wise? I am not packing a ton of gear due to space restrictions, but I am not sure what kind of weather I should expect. Any help is great.
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My old stomping grounds! Hey Doug, weather has been great up there but you still get a good drizzle now and then. Everytime I go home, I make sure I have a decent, light rain jacket, synthetic shirts and maybe a light fleece pullover. You will get wet, but you also want to dry quickly and have a little insulation depending on your elevation. It can and will heat up pretty good, especially down by the gorge and the Hood and Helen areas. Last time I was hiking Hood (a looong time ago), it was in the upper 80's and a storm came out of no where in minutes with a good rain and drop of about 30 degrees.

Mt. St. Helens is amazing. My dad took me up there a few years ago. I witnessed the eruption back in 1980 and remember the devistated lands around the crater. It's grown back significantly I didn't recognize anything but the crater!

Enjoy the trip and tip a few Red Hooks back for me:D

ROCK6
 
Rain gear, rain gear, oh, did I mention rain gear. Actually plan on layers. Looks like you're going to be in some diverse terrain.

Charlie
 
Over that long of a time frame you'll likely get a nice day in the 70s and a crappy one in the 50s. You'll want a pair of shorts and a pair of pants. You shouldn't need to pack for cold weather, as it shouldn't drop below 40 at night. As said before, layers are key, and a light jacket that handles rain. May is usually pretty sunny up here but nothing is guaranteed nice until after July 4th.
 
Doug, plenty of good advice already! Just wanted to say have a great time, sounds like you will see some of the treasures of the PNW.
 
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