Top 10 tips for Rainy Backpacking - Trekking Trips

Heading out during a stormy backpacking weekend? Or even a soggy hike through your favorite Canyon? Don't let the dampness ruin your initiative. Hypothermia is the number one killer of hikers. Backpacking or trekking through constant rain can still be fun if you're good at staying dry. Here are some tips for your next backpacking trip in wet rainy weather. 

1 - Layers, layers, layers

tart with a nice base or mid layer tights and a long sleeve shirt underneath all of your other rainwear. Definitely use marina wool. The reason is sweat can evaporate quicker and maintain your body temperature. You are looking for a skin coverage and to keep the wet cold jacket off your skin with plenty of stretch and comfort. I often skip traditional hiking pants and rely on trekking pants to dry superquick. Or if I know the rain is going to be bad I will be relying on my tights for warmth under waterproof hard shells. 

2 - Seek hard shell jackets and pants with vents. 

On the longer adventures your outer layer on your hardshell will definitely wet out. This drastically lowers the fabrics breathability. But pit breathe zippers will never fail you and make that hike much more enjoyable. 

3 - Wear synthetic fleece with insulation

For this I usually use some form of merino wool as a base layer with a fleece mid layer. When it is dry I definitely want a down jacket. But when everything is damp or wet, synthetic installations and mid layer fleece are definitely the way to go. They maintain some of their warmth and puffiness even when the wetness sets in. They are also easier to dry. 

4 - aterproof your backpack

There are many backpacks on the market. Some which absorb water and some that repel water. When you're carrying sensitive camera gear you definitely want to test your backpack out before you head out into the wilderness. I like to take a garden hose and spray my backpack. Making sure that water will not soak in even with the zipper closed. If it passes my Garden hose test then it is coming with me. If you have a backpack already that is water resistant then definitely try to find a waterproof cover for it. If you don't have one, you might want to just use a traditional garbage bag for this. 

5 - Keeping your equipment dry

camera equipment as you know can be very expensive. One of the key things to do when exploring nature is to keep it dry at all times. One thing you can do is definitely open your backpack as little as possible. Every time you open your pack or take the cover off a bit more rain will get in. This wetness can build up in my potentially stay with you for the rest of the trip. To minimize this, store all your regular snacks in your pockets or outside of your pack. There are waterproof bags on the market they can also help with this keeping your camera dry at all time. 

6 -  Common household item will save you

One of the best ways to combat wetness is utilizing Ziploc bags. To prevent water damage of any items that you are concerned about such as batteries, cables, memory cards etc. definitely put your items in a Ziploc bag to double protect them. 

7 - aterproof trekking boots with waterproof gators are a must

You definitely do not want to have any Gore-Tex in your boots when it is wet out. Contrary to what many people believe, Gore-Tex will hold the water and not dry out fast. Do your research and look for Waterproof trekking boots or water boots that will dry out fast. 

8 - Footcare

You want to find a good natural oil balm along with an antifungal foot powder. If you want to be super prepared, definitely try to find some dry packets to help your items dry when you can find shelter. When it is overnight you will want dry packets to draw your items out as best you can. Anti-blister kit is a must. Blister prevention will save you. Wet socks will quickly rub the natural oils off your feet which leads to water absorption, prune like skin, and a much higher chance of blistering. Especially if your boots are tight. You want to reapply balms and oil's to prevent foot irritation such as Bonnie's balm to help keep feet from blistering. 

9 - Proper socks for trekking

ne of the things a lot of hikers don't realize is your body temperature can drop with what you wear for base layers and socks. The type of socks you will want to find is merino wool hiking socks. They are thick enough to help prevent blisters and also maintain foot temperature. When your feet get wet in cotton socks it can be dangerous. Body temperature can drop from anywhere on the body especially your feet. You do not want cold wet feet while you were out trekking. Maintaining body temperature is key so do not wear regular cotton socks.

10 - Best underwear and beanie

ne of the three main areas of her body temperature lost his head, groin, and feet. You will want to try marina wool underwear for your rainy day trekking. The nice thing about merino wool is it will help maintain and regulate body temperature even when wet. Merino wool or acrylic style beanie will be perfect underneath your waterproof hood. 

emember safety first. I know we all want to capture great images… But if you're wet and cold and catching hypothermia will trying to do so then it won't be worth it. You can enjoy taking photos in any type of climate. Preparation and planning is key. 

Happy Backpacking - Trekking

New Screenwriting Technology Can Create Storyboards ForScripts

It’s been a long time since screenwriting has relied on the typewriter. In fact, you often hear through the Hollywood grapevine that no one will even look at your script if you’re not using the right software, whether it’s Final Draft or Script Magic. For years I’ve contributed for several screenwriting publications, and I’ve often been concerned about Hollywood being more concerned about the software the script was written with, instead of whether the script itself is actually any good or not.

Nevertheless, there’s been some interesting technology for screenwriting that has definitely piqued my interest. John August (Big Fish) came up with a screenwriting app called Fountain, which his personal website johnaugust.com tells us allows you to “write screenplays in any text editor on any device, from computers to iPads to smartphones.” And now, as Deadline tells us, Amazon has developed a program that can turn your script into storyboards.

Storyboards have of course been used in films and animation since practically the dawn of cinema, and it’s always been a good way to lay out a road map for your movie. Alfred Hitchcock never worked without them, and although Hitchcock’s storyboards were incredibly detailed, some directors feel the less detailed they are, the better, because it gives you more flexibility when shooting.

As a press release tells us, “For years, Amazon has been developing new programs, services and features to make it easier for content creators to make and distribute their work. Amazon Studios, the original film and series production arm Amazon, announced a new innovation for writers and filmmakers – Amazon Storyteller.”

This technology “is a free online tool that turns scripts into storyboards, complete with characters and dialogue that can then be shared with others for feedback.” This technology is available at www.amazonstudios.com/storyteller, and as the press release continues, “Storyteller provides a digital backlot, acting troupe, prop department and assistant editor – everything you need to bring your story to life.”

All this could be great fun to play around with, and in some circumstances it could help sell a movie that’s hard to visualize. Just imagine if George Lucas had this when he was writing Star Wars, which was pretty much gobbledygook on paper and impossible for practically every Hollywood executive to decipher. I also wonder if you can do this with recreations of celebrities. Can you illustrate your movies with A-list actors in an attempt to convince them to star in your film?

In any event, this is all cool stuff that can make your script look more professional in the right hands, but you have to have a good story in the first place, or else all the technology in the world can’t make it any good. It’s an old cliché, but it’s the truth: If it ain’t on the page, it ain’t on the stage. Replace page with “computer screen,” and the cliché still holds true today.

Written by David Konow via @Broadwave