Backpacking in the Rain: Staying Dry, Smart & Safe with Wild North Guides

It’s raining today here in Whitefish, Montana. A slow, steady patter has settled over the pines, with thick clouds curled around the peaks. It’s barely in the 60s, and everything smells like wet earth and spruce needles. Just yesterday, it was pushing the high 80s—hot, dusty, and buzzing with mosquitoes. The shift was fast and unapologetic, as Montana weather so often is. It feels pretty amazing.

If you’ve spent any time in the wilds of northwestern Montana, you already know one thing: the weather doesn't ask for permission. Sunshine can give way to a cold rain squall in a matter of minutes, especially in the high country. At Wild North Guides, we embrace that unpredictability—and we help our clients do the same. But to thrive (and not just survive) in wet mountain conditions, you need to be prepared.

Here's how we approach backpacking in the rain—with the right gear, smart protocols, and the kind of backcountry wisdom that only comes from years on Montana’s wild trails.

1. Gear Up: Rain-Ready Essentials for the Northern Rockies

Rain Jacket (and Pants) that Actually Work

Your old “water-resistant” shell won’t cut it up here. We recommend:

• 3-layer Gore-Tex or equivalent waterproof-breathable fabric

• Pit zips or ventilation options to dump heat

• Full-length zippers on rain pants for easy on/off over boots

  
  

Guide Tip: Try your rain gear in a cold shower at home. If you get wet, upgrade.

Pack Cover + Trash Bag Liner = Dry Gear Insurance

Double up:

• Use a waterproof pack cover to shield from direct rain.

• Line the inside of your pack with a heavy-duty contractor trash bag or a purpose-built dry bag liner. This keeps insulation layers and sleep systems dry no matter how hard it pours. Also, as you can see from the picture above, removing that Hefty trash bag liner and wearing as a skirt is a great option too :). Cuts down on wind and keeps your legs dry if you don't have rain pants.

  
  

Gaiters

Underrated but essential. Gaiters help keep water, mud, and trail grit out of your boots—especially in marshy areas or on overgrown trails after a storm.

Gloves and Hat—Yes, Even in Summer

Cold rain can bring temps down fast. A warm, fleece or wool beanie and water-resistant gloves make a big difference in morale and safety.

2. Layer Like a Guide

The secret to staying warm in the rain isn’t just staying dry—it’s moisture management. That means:

• Avoid cotton. Always. It soaks, chills, and kills.

• Start with a synthetic or merino base layer.

• Mid-layer: fleece or lightweight down (but keep down protected in waterproof stuff sack).

• Outer shell: always carry your rain gear, even on "clear" days.

Guide Wisdom: Pack a dry camp outfit sealed in its own dry bag. Nothing beats changing into dry clothes at the end of a soaked day.

3. Set Up Camp Like a Pro in Wet Conditions

• Choose your site wisely. Look for elevated ground, away from potential runoff paths. Avoid pitching near rivers or at the base of slopes.

• Set up a tarp first—if you have one—so you can cook, change, and unpack in a dry zone.

• Pitch your tent tight, with the rainfly fully staked and taut. Make sure the footprint doesn’t extend beyond the tent’s edges (that collects water).

• Keep wet gear outside the tent in the vestibule or in a pack liner bag. Moisture + body heat = condensation city.

  
  

4. Mental Game: Rain is Just Water (But Hypothermia is Real)

Rain doesn’t have to ruin your trip—in fact, it can make the backcountry even more beautiful. Misty ridgelines, dripping pine forests, the muffled silence of a soaked landscape… it’s pure magic. But only if you’re warm, dry, and not stressed.

At Wild North Guides, we teach our guests to:

• Keep moving if they're getting cold.

• Recognize early signs of hypothermia: shivering, confusion, slurred speech.

• Laugh at the weather—because if you’re geared up, you can handle it.

  
  

5. Final Packing List: Wet Weather Edition

• 3-layer rain jacket and pants

• Gaiters

• Warm hat + gloves

• Extra dry base layers (in dry bags)

• Pack liner (trash bag or dry bag)

• Rain cover for pack

• Synthetic sleeping bag (or down in waterproof compression sack)

• Lightweight tarp

• Quick-drying camp towel

• Waterproof notebook + pencil (if you're journaling your trip)

We Don’t Wait for Perfect Weather—We Guide Through It

Out here in northwest Montana, perfect weather is a myth. But with the right mindset and preparation, even a soggy afternoon can become a trip highlight. At Wild North Guides, we train for that. Whether you’re on a day hike through the Flathead or a multi-night alpine traverse, we’ll help you navigate the elements and find joy in every storm cloud.