Northern PA in the Rain

[FlyPaper]

Opinions on this for a ordinary section hiker with plenty of experience, but not necessarily super fit.

I know rocks can be slippery. So how is it to hiking northern PA in the rain?

Are we talking suicide? Or is it a matter of just be kind of careful?

[KnightErrant]

I personally wouldn't do the climb up from Lehigh Gap in the rain, but everything else is fair game. Just pay attention to where you're placing your feet. Trekking poles are a good idea. PA is very rocky, but mostly in just an annoying way, not a treacherous way!

[Astro]

I personally wouldn't do the climb up from Lehigh Gap in the rain, but everything else is fair game. Just pay attention to where you're placing your feet. Trekking poles are a good idea. PA is very rocky, but mostly in just an annoying way, not a treacherous way!

I would agree, and for Lehigh Gap there is an alternate route if necessary for bad weather.

[Strategic]

Shouldn't really be a problem. I've done several of those sections in rain of one type or another. The only thing to avoid is a serious lightning storm in the open areas (like Lehigh Gap), but otherwise you'll be fine.

[FlyPaper]

Thanks for the replies. FWIW: I asked this question because last year I found myself hiking DOWN into LeHigh Gap (N to S) in the rain. I've done 1000+ miles on the AT, and that was by far the scariest thing I've done so far. At least it wasn't ice.

[ldsailor]

Thanks for the replies. FWIW: I asked this question because last year I found myself hiking DOWN into LeHigh Gap (N to S) in the rain. I've done 1000+ miles on the AT, and that was by far the scariest thing I've done so far. At least it wasn't ice.
Wait until you get to New Hampshire and Maine. :D

[FlyPaper]

Wait until you get to New Hampshire and Maine. :D

Going to be some short days, especially if it's raining.

[4eyedbuzzard]

Wait until you get to New Hampshire and Maine. :DYeah, the descent off Moosilauke, Wildcat, Old Speck down to the to the pond, and, and, and . . .

[Slo-go'en]

I didn't find the rocks all that slippery - hiked PA twice in the spring when it rained a lot. The main issue is a lot the rocks are set at an angle to the ground and are just a pain to walk on. The knife edge was a bit scary in the rain, but just had to go slow and test grip before putting weight on it.

[FlyPaper]

I didn't find the rocks all that slippery - hiked PA twice in the spring when it rained a lot. The main issue is a lot the rocks are set at an angle to the ground and are just a pain to walk on. The knife edge was a bit scary in the rain, but just had to go slow and test grip before putting weight on it.

Thankfully, we've already done Knife's edge and won't be doing it this time. As the comments on Guthook go, Knife's edge is a pleasure to do in dry weather, but death defying when wet.

[Slo-go'en]

Thankfully, we've already done Knife's edge and won't be doing it this time. As the comments on Guthook go, Knife's edge is a pleasure to do in dry weather, but death defying when wet.

Let's just say it was "interesting".