Inclement weather

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Inclement weather

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1perodicticus
Juil 20, 2007, 7:03 am

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2reading_fox
Juil 20, 2007, 7:13 am

Absolutely agree with the inadequate clothign comment. The UK is certainly doing its bit recently to test a wide range of clothing. I can't remember such a wet 'summer' before.

It does depend on the activity, If I've planned something particular, then I/we'll go whatever. If I've just a free afternoon and had intended to go for a stroll then I may not if it's inclemant. Frost, thunder and heavy rain are fun to walk in, I'm not so keen on the middling sort of raining, wet dull and unplesant without the full challenge of heavy rain.

Caving and climbing are also exceptions. Outdoor climbing really doesn't work on wet rock. Caving is far more tolerant but one has to be very careful with the flood levels of the streams. After heavy rain it is often necessary to change the proposed cave to a system that is less likely to drown you.

I'll bike to work in pretty much any weather, but I won't ride for 'fun' in the rain because it isn't.

3streamsong
Juil 20, 2007, 11:44 am

"I read somewhere that "there is no such thing as bad weather, only inadequate clothing" What a wonderful quote perodicticus! That one I'll definitely have to save!

Thirty years ago. I would be out in every kind of weather with the horses--horses can be high and silly in a storm especially with wind--which can either be invigorating or scary depending on how you look at it (and how slippery the footing is); winter was for horses pulling us on skis, etc, etc. Now I'm more reserved and tend to hibernate with a book in the worst of it. :) I'm not sure if this is middle age or growing a bit more sense--take your pick.

Physically, I NEED to be outside everyday if only for a walk. There's something about me that just isn't happy inside--and if you waited for the perfect day, outings would only rarely happen.

Right now, western Montana is in the middle of a very dry stretch with lightning storms in the eveninigs. There seem to be 10 or 11 new fires in the surrounding mountains each time a storm comes through--and we get the smoke from Idaho, Washington and Oregon's fires as well during bad seasons. Lucky us! Fire season and smoke do shut me down--both due to the forests being closed as conditions worsen and due to smoke irritation to lungs and eyes. So far not too bad out there--but it's a long time until the fall snows put an end to the fires in the mountains.

Luckily my TBR pile is huge right now!

4Arctic-Stranger
Juil 20, 2007, 7:50 pm

I have yet to encounter "bad" weather!

There was a character in a Charles Williams, Descent into Hell, I believe, who said she loved weather. When someone asked what kind of weather, she said she just loved weather.

5pollysmith
Août 1, 2007, 9:48 am

What an inspiring topic! Don't let bad weather stop you! A walk in the rain could be refreshing. In cold weather a walk is invigorating. I must write that phrase down and tape it to my refridgerator!

6summonedbyfells
Août 6, 2007, 10:21 am

I take my hat off to those of you who go out regardless of weather and for sure 'if you don't go you won't know' However there is I think a distinction to be made between short and long outings. Here in England we have had a sustained period of wet weather and for several weeks I was watching the forecasts for a few dry days and when they became likely I set off and did a double traverse of the Hadrians Wall trail a total of 170 miles involving four nights biviing under the stars. I had a great time and the wall is a most impressive building and logistic achievment, recognised as such as a world heritage site by UNESCO. I had good weather throughout, plenty of sun and wind but thankfully no rain! I freely admit to having no appetite for sustained effort in the rain, its one thing having to cope with it en-route but quite another to set off out into it. I don't. All being well I will be cycling to the Lake Distirict on Wednesday of this week, a 100 mile ride, but if the weather changes for the worse I will postpone the trip. I know how lucky I am to be able to be in command of my time, it was not always so, which makes it particularly enjoyable now. At least forrest fires are a minimal risk here!
Just been out mooching around our local chartity shops picked up 'The Climb' by Anatoli Boukreev & 'The Next Horizon' by Chris Bonnington. I don't really like CB but a good condition copy for 50p simply can not be resisted!
Happy walking happy reading to everyone.

7oregonobsessionz
Août 6, 2007, 7:19 pm

>6 summonedbyfells:

You are indeed lucky, if you can schedule your outdoor adventures for good weather. In the Pacific Northwest, we have a few choices: learn to love drizzly rain, buy the best Goretex you can find, and/or drive 2 hours east to get on the dry side of the Cascades.

Boukreev's The Climb is a wonderful book to read along with Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air. Krakauer is a much better writer, but Boukreev provided a different perspective on events leading up to the tragedy on Everest.

8summonedbyfells
Août 7, 2007, 9:30 am

>7 oregonobsessionz: Thanks for the commendation on Boukreev's book, I have a pile of titles to get through before reaching it though, but then good things are worth waiting for. I have had a copy of Into Thin Air for quite a while now and can also recommend the writing of John Roskelley, I have a couple of his titles, 'Last Days' and the one about the tragedy on Nanda Devi. He is that rare thing a mountaineering writer who can bring a touch of humour to his subject.
Tomorrow I am off to the Lake District in the north west of England, traditionally the wettest place in the country so it will probably be goretex to the fore once more!