<div dir="ltr">Since hiking the PCT I've become an umbrella convert. They're very useful for a lot of things. Since I've been using a tarp I find I use my umbrella as a wind / rain block quite often.<div><br></div><div>It's also great for just getting out of the rain. I was thru hiking the Sheltowee Trace trail in KY earlier this month and it was pouring down rain. I decided that a cup of coffee would be nice so I pulled off the trail and brewed a cup and enjoyed it under my umbrella. It was quite nice, sitting there in the pouring down rain, sipping on a cup of coffee under my umbrella. ;-)</div><div><br></div><div>They're definitely not a necessity but can be quite handy for more than just rain.</div><div><br><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Mar 4, 2015 at 11:16 PM, Rick Ostheimer <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:rick.ostheimer@sbcglobal.net" target="_blank">rick.ostheimer@sbcglobal.net</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">I didn't carry one on the CDT or PCT, but I've carried and used one since on many trails including the Colorado Trail where it runs with the CDT and the Arizona Trail. It is a luxury item since I also carry a rain Jacket that doubles as a wind jacket. I attach it to my pack straps with Velcro so I have my hands free for trekking poles. The umbrella makes hiking in the rain much more pleasant since I can keep my rain jacket open and hood off. It was also especially nice in the sun on the AZT. Although it snagged a bit on overgrown cats claw on the AZT, it is still functional with only a small amount of duct tape decorating it. ---Handlebar<br>
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