Rain jackets on the JMT are a waste of pack weight

I did the John Muir Trail in August and everyone said bring a Gore-Tex shell. I carried a 12 ounce one from REI and never once put it on because it never rained, just light mist that dried in 20 minutes. My friend wore a cheap 6 ounce windbreaker and stayed just as dry. The forecast in Bishop said zero rain for 10 days and it was right. Why do we all default to heavy waterproof gear when the Sierra is basically dry by late summer? Has anyone else ditched the rain jacket on a dry trail and felt stupid for carrying it?

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kai_ramirez3813d ago

Ha! Yeah I basically did the same thing on the PCT section through there a few years back. I carried a 10 oz shell and ended up using it as a pillow more than anything. The Sierra in August is just different, the weather is so predictable you can almost set your watch to it. I think the whole Gore-Tex thing is a habit people carry over from the Cascades or the East Coast where it actually rains all the time. If you check the forecast and it's clear, a windbreaker is honestly plenty for those afternoon gusts.