Winter Gear for WA Section of the PCT

It is still summer right now. And will be for a while yet. Considering current circumstances fires are more of a risk than snow.

Are you through hiking? I'm assuming you mean rain and not the 5 foot snow storms that happen in October?

On my through hike last year a golite umbrella was the best rain wear, at least for me. You're in the trees in a lot of WA and the weather was never very windy for me, just a couple of large rain storms. The umbrella kept me dry and let me read my paper maps in the storm. Maybe add a fleece too since it can get cold, you'll end up hiking up to a pass where it's snowing and then back down into the rain. Down puffies will get wet and lose most of their insulation. A light fleece will help keep you from getting hypothermia.

Thanks for the comments guys.
I'm thru hiking, finally getting to WA.
Winter is everything BUT snow. I plan to finish on the third week of September so I hope there won't be any snow issues.
I do know it's summer, but that fact didn't matter so much as I had several rainy days along CA and OR, and because WA is up north and known for its rain, I wish to come prepared as possible.

I tried an umbrella for couple of days, found it very annoying indeed. But thanks for the suggestion. I'm leaning towards the first option but I don't know if it will hold the weather. All I want is staying dry (including gear) at minimal weight penalty.

Then go for the first. the pants may not last long though. You will have the "carwash" brush effect to go through and that might tear them up some. I know last year had a lot of rain early. But for now, I think it still looks good. Best of luck

Thanks.
Do you have a suggestion to better pants solution? The Poncho I got is getting 3 inches or so above knee

Tyvek pants are reasonably waterproof and would be much more durable than the driducks. They're super inexpensive too. It's what I use (Driducks jacket and Tyvek pants, from US Plastics).

tyvek as suggested. I rarely wear rain pants. Nylon dries quick enough and I just go with the jacket. But then, I haven't thru hiked the PCT either.

With a poncho that long, I'd save the pants for emergency use.

I hike in the North Cascades and I am a big poncho fan. I use Zpacks cuban rain chaps with my poncho. MLD has sil rain chaps. I think there are several other companies that also make sil rain chaps. I also still carry a wind shirt, which I use with the poncho when it gets cold and windy enough. The last time I used that combination was the middle of last September on the Wonderland Trail in some pretty pretty wet, cold, and windy conditions.

For three season, I wear a long sleeved shirt which is great for windy days, bugs, and sun. I prefer wearing a shell over a poncho here. I never worry about wet legs. I just keep moving and change into a dry base layer or shorts when I set up camp. This works fine for me to 40* in wet conditions but ymmv.

I have the Squamish and think it's great but I really don't have a use for it for three season hiking and in temperatures above 32* since I always wear a long sleeved shirt.

Thanks for your input guys. Which size to take on the tyvek if I'm 5'10? Seems shipping this ridiculous small and light item is 10 bucks!

Chaps looks nice but they are super expensive! Any cheap options?
Also, any ideas how to keep trail running shoe dry?

I actually find a wind shell much more usable than a hardshell. When it's windy and cold it makes world of difference.

I think I'll take option one and try switch the pants to tyvek.

You'll use the windshirt most days, but just one day in a rainstorm will make you want a proper hardshell jacket. Even if it hasn't been raining, you'll bash your way through so much brush in the GPW that you'll still end up soaked without a proper jacket. A poncho will not work for rain or prolonged hiking.

A trashbag works as a rain kilt if you end up needing one.

Thunderstorms were quite common all throughout last August. Unusual, but it happens. Even this week has been pretty stormy.

It seems from your replay that both solutions will not work. Why Poncho wouldn't work?
Also, I believe that in serious storm I'll stop hiking and find safe spot until it's over.

Hey again,
I'm here to report after being caught in a bad storm 2 days ago in WA.
I don't want to sound offensive, but the guys who offered the tyvek pants probably didn't have any clue what they are offering. It's getting soaked super fast, then tarps all the water inside.
Pack cover wasn't much practical as my backpack got drenched from the space between my back and the backpack, so unless you have an umbrella or Poncho you mush have a pack liner of some kind. I'm still thinking about that area.
I think that the combination of a Poncho with a belt and REAL rain pants (goretex?) and a warm layer underneath is the way to go in wet environment.

Just my two cents. Hope it'll help someone.

Actually, I was saying that both the hardshell and windshirt would be ideal. Anyways, you have probably learned that by now since it has been quite stormy. FYI, I did it with just a set of Frogg Toggs. The breathability wasn't ideal. I much prefer eVent now.

A trash compactor liner works fine as a pack liner. Just make sure you get an unscented one. I am still using one from last summer. I would think one or two could make it to Canada.

Anyways, a poncho just won't cut it in the brushy areas or in wind, but don't take my word for it, go see for yourself and report back….