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Got wrecked by a sudden hailstorm on the Lost Coast Trail last summer

I was 8 miles in near Shelter Cove when the sky just went dark and pea-sized ice started hammering down out of nowhere. Had to ditch my trekking poles and curl up under a tarp for 45 minutes while my pack took a beating. Anyone else ever get caught in a random microstorm that made you rethink your gear choices?
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tessa_kelly
tessa_kelly18d agoProlific Poster
Oh man, idk about ditching the tarp completely. I mean a bivy sack is great for shelter but you still need something overhead for hail. Maybe it's just me but I think the real lesson here is having both options and knowing when to use them. Like your tarp worked fine for 45 minutes, right? The problem might actually be not having a backup way to secure it if your poles get knocked out. I always carry extra stakes and some paracord now. If I were you I'd keep the tarp but add a lightweight groundsheet that can double as emergency coverage.
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the_max
the_max18d ago
Ditch the tarp for a real bivy sack next time.
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