Hey all! Back with another rendition of teachings of the wet backcountry. The rain keeps a lot of people indoors (and yes I totally understand), but sometimes these dreary days can bring the best of memories on a foggy ridgeline or among the crying trees. But, as the season wears on and the days grow cooler, it’s important to know how to keep yourself warm and dry at the end of the day. We’ve combined a few tips to keep in mind on your next venture into the rain (or snow!) Comment below any other tricks you’ve picked up during your years of journeys.

Line your pack with a heavy duty trash bag. For me, this always seems to be more effective than the over-the-pack covers.
Always keep one dry pair of socks to wear when you’re sleeping. Don’t sacrifice your dry socks for a couple seconds of relief in your already wet boots!
If things get really chilly, heat up water and put it in a Nalgene to throw in your sleeping bag with you. Be sure not to burn yourself… put the Nalgene in a sock if you’re concerned.
Pack two pairs of gloves - ones to wear and get wet on the trail, and another pair to wear while you’re warm in the tent.
Wear a Buff on the trail! It can keep your neck warm or your ears warm… it dries fast, and can even work as a handkerchief.
Don’t forget you still need to hydrate in the cold! Pack yourself a warm beverage on a day hike, or treat yourself mid-day by pulling out your stove and making some fresh hot cocoa.
Build a fire! Remember to practice LNT principles, but building a fire can be one of the best, tried-and-true ways of warding off the cold. And not only do they serve the physical warm purpose, but they also help to make the long, dark nights a little shorter.
Use iodine tablets or a gravity water filter instead of trying to pump or squeeze with cold, stiff fingers.
Ziploc bags are your friend! Quart-sized freezer bags work great for keeping the cell phone dry. Gallon-sized bags are awesome for storing your book or journal.
Carry an extra trash bag (or two). They can dub as a poncho, extra pack liner, or a place to store wet things and keep them separate from your still-dry things.

Hiking in the rain can seem like a rather miserable and daunting task (don’t get me wrong, I’ve shared many complaints this season), however, if you have the right gear and are confident in being able to stay warm, you can focus on the little things that make the dreary day wonderful. That break in the clouds. The way those raindrops gather on that leaf. The tears falling from the tree needles. The way that footfalls seem so silent in the pouring rain. The brief moment of the rainbow among the fog and clouds.

Cheers and Happy Trails y’all. Stay warm out there! Drop your suggestions in the comments below.