Mattress & Wolfeye:

Man, thanks for the tips. You both live in spectacular parts of the planet, but it wouldn't be that incredible if it didn't rain alot.

Mattress, are you the one who had something in a blog about a hands-free umbrella you did a Vancouver Island hike with? I tried looking all over for it but couldn't find it. Forgive me if it wasn't you.

Keep up the posts & advice, cause I'm wanting to do some hiking up there (Vancouver Island west coast trails & Alaska) but dealing with rain -- lots of it -- has always got me second-guessing. We did a week in Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island a few years ago (in August) and had clear skies for the whole time. But those coast trails and further north have me concerned if I'm really prepared for them.