A storm on the John Muir Trail nearly got me killed - now I triple check everything

Last summer I was on a solo 5-day stretch through Evolution Valley and a surprise hailstorm rolled in around 3pm. I had checked the weather that morning (clear skies predicted) but didn't account for the microclimate near the pass. My rain gear was in the bottom of my pack and my map got soaked before I could stuff it in a dry bag. Now I always keep my rain jacket and a paper map in a hip belt pocket. Has anyone else had a storm sneak up on them in a spot that should have been safe?

3 comments

3 Comments

olivia_moore1mo ago

Yeah my rain jacket lived at the bottom of my pack until I got caught in a downpour and learned the hard way that "waterproof" means nothing when you're too stubborn to stop and dig it out.

the_wendy1mo ago

surprise hailstorm" isn't really a surprise if you know the Sierra, man. I've been caught in three afternoon thunderstorms there on "clear" days - that's just how the mountains roll.

michaeld481mo ago

Oh for real. Got pelted by pea sized stuff near Bishop last June, came out of nowhere.