I have not used a weather radio and am not inclined to bring another piece of gear. Part of the reason I go out into the wilderness is to get away from technology. I usually go into the BWCA for 7 days.

How many of you out there do not use weather radios? Seems like a lot of folks on here do use them and check them daily. Am I being stupid for not checking the weather? I kind of feel like I just take it as it comes.

Koz

I have one but do not check it daily. The one I have has an alert feature that sends out a warning of severe weather in the region. It's nice to have if bad weather is on the horizon.

As I age I think differently and have added a weather radio to my gear. Not big, not heavy, but it gives me information that helps me decide about travel vs stay put and most importantly alerts. I would just go and deal with what happened, but now I stay put if bad weather is coming in and enjoy myself.

I do not own one but have gone with people who do. I have seen how the radio forecasts can affect some decision making such as travel times and when to set up camp. I was also on a trip where a severe thunderstorm warning was issued and we decided to quickly change to a more open campsite without any trees that looked as if they could possibly fall. Whether or not information from the radio could possibly save lives is questionable to me however. Its not like you can quickly get indoors when warnings are sounded.

I use one to help decide when to layover vs. when to take advantage and move, and also in the event of strong storms. While there is only so much you can do in a severe weather event, you can improve your situation.

We normally take one and check it maybe once in the morning or once in the evening to see what's coming up in the next day or two.

My group uses 2-way radios for communication. The radios also have a weather channel feature. We listen to the weather channel a few times a day. Comes in very handy!
We base camp, so we plan our day based on projected wind speed and direction as well as chances of rain or storms. It's nice to know if we should stay within a mile of camp, or if we can head down the lake several miles.
Of course, sometimes it rains when it's not supposed to or it doesn't when they say it's going to - but generally they get it right.

Last year, the last week of May, it was warm all week, except for one night in the low 30's.
My 20 degree sleeping bag (should've bought a zero) doesn't keep me warm enough on those kind of nights. But because I knew what was coming, I didn't wake up freezing in the middle of the night because I slept in enough clothing to keep me comfortable. It was nice being prepared!

So, for the cost and size\weight of these radios - I never trip without them.

I listen once an evening. Better to know than not.

I have one and take it on trips but don't listen to it everyday. It has the alert function on it so goes off when there is an alert.

We used one, and when wind was forecast we took a secong look at trees around our tents. We moved one.

The tree did not fall, but winds were strong and we saw lots of snapped and fallen trees from recent winds.

The biggest help was deciding when to best ravel and when to stay put.

quote ECpizza: "We used one, and when wind was forecast we took a secong look at trees around our tents. We moved one.

The tree did not fall, but winds were strong and we saw lots of snapped and fallen trees from recent winds.

The biggest help was deciding when to best ravel and when to stay put."

I check it at night to get the wind forecast. If I need to travel and the wind will be up I'll use the info to get a very early start the next morning.

Also if I pull in to a site knowing I'll leave the next morning the radio lets me know if I need to pitch the tarp or not. I like the idea of going old school and taking it as it comes but I just can't leave this little device home when I go solo. Hearing the robotic voice gives me company. :)

Totally by coincidence, I just ordered a Crane CC radio this morning. Wouldn't mind being warned in advance of what I can observe on the trail as it relates to weather. Also a bit of nostalgia involved - my late mom was a nut for the Weather Channel back when they actually provided weather info. If some sort of race wasn't on tv, the Weather Channel was!

Last trip I took a weather radio and found out the day we were to leave it was forecast to rain for two days straight. The group voted to leave a day early. The vote was 6-2 to leave and I wanted to stay. I learned my lesson and will not be telling anyone in my group the weather again. I wait all year for the trip and then leave early is just not right.

quote krick: "My group uses 2-way radios for communication. The radios also have a weather channel feature. We listen to the weather channel a few times a day. Comes in very handy!
We base camp, so we plan our day based on projected wind speed and direction as well as chances of rain or storms. It's nice to know if we should stay within a mile of camp, or if we can head down the lake several miles.
Of course, sometimes it rains when it's not supposed to or it doesn't when they say it's going to - but generally they get it right.


Last year, the last week of May, it was warm all week, except for one night in the low 30's.
My 20 degree sleeping bag (should've bought a zero) doesn't keep me warm enough on those kind of nights. But because I knew what was coming, I didn't wake up freezing in the middle of the night because I slept in enough clothing to keep me comfortable. It was nice being prepared!


So, for the cost and size\weight of these radios - I never trip without them.


"

I do the same as KRick. Given the changes to WELY, it may be the only reliable source any more.

JD

If you want to debate the issue of getting away from technology in wilderness tripping it depends on where you draw the line. Most have a ton of technology on the trip and don't give it a second thought....monofilament line, head lamps, goretex, camp stoves, nylon tents, kevlar canoes, bungee dealie bobs : )...the list can go on. I look at the weather radio as a safety feature...especially when I bring along newbies. For me personally the weather in the BWCA is hard to gauge...with all the trees and bluffs it can be difficult to see very far to the horizon to see weather coming. I check the weather morning and evening but typically it doesn't change my routine too much. I will double check and make sure all the "hatches" are battened down though if I hear rough weather or strong wind is predicted. I just got out of woods last Saturday and we had one night of a pretty rough storm...heard a couple trees come crashing down which always makes certain muscles tighten! Ironically enough I hadn't yet listened to my weather radio for the day, but we had a visit from the ranger that day and he had just listened to his weather and he told us it might get a little bumpy that night.

To each his own though when it comes to tripping...I say whatever gets you to the experience you are looking for is what you should do. I'm old and cautious!

Bob

I always bring my small weather radio. We tune in during breakfast to see what to expect as we make our daily plans.

I've never owned one and I'd like to get one (weather radio) but I don't understand how they work and what kind to choose. Do they automatically lock in to a weather station? How would I find WELY?

Thanks!

Dave

Just received a Eton FRx4 from Amazon for $42. Had a small charge out of the box, and it works like it should, and looks durable (not waterproof).

I picked it because it has all the power options, solar, crank, wall plug, and AA batteries.

It's very easy to use. If you know how to work the radio in your car, you'll be fine. Weather Band "WB" is it's own Band like FM and AM. You just select that band and cycle the tuner until you hear the report. It's a robot voice.

This particular unit has an Alert option. When you set it, the audio turns off, but it will reactivate if there's a severe weather warning/alert in your area.

I wouldn't rely on the Alert. I'll just turn it on from time to time.

quote RetiredDave: "I've never owned one and I'd like to get one (weather radio) but I don't understand how they work and what kind to choose. Do they automatically lock in to a weather station? How would I find WELY?


Thanks!


Dave"

There are several ways to go. The simplest "weather radios" like the small Midland I have, only broadcast the nearest (of 7) NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) weather stations. It has no AM/FM/2-way radio. It repeats the forecast every so often and also broadcasts "alerts". The radio has an "alert" feature that lets you know, if you choose to have it turned on.

WELY is an FM station (94.5 FM). You'll have to have an FM radio to tune it in.

Thanks deadriver, boonie, and the rest. You have answered my questions!

Dave

Unfortunately two people were killed in the BWCA during that storm a couple days ago. I read that it was their last day out. I wonder, if they had a weather radio, they probably would have headed out a day early. If I heard 50-80mph winds were coming, and I was close to out, I'd probably leave.