At some point in every hiker’s career, he is bound to encounter water. Be it a stream crossing gone wrong or a sudden downpour, it is important to be prepared. Part of this is having the correct clothing and supplies on hand that allow them to handle situation without spoiling the hike.
When crossing a stream, the ideal situation is to keep clothing and gear from getting wet in the first place. Wading across might be fun on a hot day, but rolling pants up to keep them from getting wet and making sure feet are completely dry before putting socks and boots back ensures that the hike can continue in comfort. In the event that a hiker ends up in the water unintentionally, it is important to dry off before moving on. An experienced hiker will be wearing quick-drying or water repellant gear and carrying an extra pair of socks, a good example to follow.
Handling a downpour is slightly easier than dealing with an unintentional dunking. Always carry a poncho or rain shell, even if there are no storms expected. Some new jackets are made of material that is impervious to water droplets but still allows the skin to ‘breathe.’ If it does happen, however, it is again best to be wearing fast-drying clothing.
