At the tail end of July last year, a fervor for hiking ignited within us. Yet, Saturday’s forecast was less than ideal: rain, cold, and formidable winds. Not the perfect conditions for summiting mountains. Consequently, we opted to forgo an ambitious hike that day. Surprisingly, the rain showers were sporadic, offering us glimpses of sunshine between the clouds.
Sunday’s forecast mirrored Saturday’s bleak outlook. However, determined not to miss out on potential adventure, we donned our rain gear: umbrellas for lighter showers, ponchos for heavier rain and wind, along with rain pants and hats. We braced ourselves for what we anticipated would be a day punctuated by frequent and possibly intense rain showers.
Choosing a familiar mountain trail—one we knew we could navigate comfortably even in inclement weather—we embarked on our soggy escapade. As we ascended, only a gentle drizzle accompanied us, easily managed with our trusty umbrellas. An underrated advantage of umbrellas, I must add, is their ability to shield us from rain without trapping excess heat, unlike jackets.
We better put on our ponchos – NOW
Approaching the summit, the wind intensified, and ominous dark clouds loomed in the distance. Oblivious to the impending deluge, I paused to capture a few photographs, only to realize the approaching rainstorm seconds later. “We better put on our ponchos – NOW”, I said to my wife. Hastily, we shed our backpacks, swiftly donned our ponchos, and resumed our journey, just as the heavens opened and unleashed a torrent of rain and wind upon us.
Battling the gusts and downpour, we reached the summit, celebrating our victory before promptly retreating to escape the harsh weather. Though tempted to seek refuge behind nearby rocks, we pressed on, refusing to be deterred by the elements. Moments later, as swiftly as it had begun, the rain subsided, and sunshine bathed us once more.
Descending the mountain, we encountered a few more brief showers, but our trusty umbrellas and ponchos shielded us from the worst of it. Returning to the car, a sense of relief washed over us. We were grateful for our decision to embark on the hike, pleased with our preparedness, and relieved that our gear performed admirably during the unexpected weather onslaught. It was an experience to remember—a testament to the unpredictability and resilience of nature, and our determination to embrace it.