Bumbershoots

The bumbershoot, paraplule, gamp, Robinson, paraneige, brolly, parasol, or umbrella, as it is sometimes known, has been shielding humans from the elements for over 4,000 years, probably longer. Almost every culture throughout history has had an umbrella like device to deploy. From the Egyptians to the Aztecs and from Europe to the South Sea islands, umbrellas were and are used.

In some places and times it was only the province of kings. In other times it was carried as a fashion statement. Probably first used to provide shade in more tropical climes, the eventual use of waterproof materials also made it perfect to fend off rain. But in Thailand, in the early 1700’s, there are reports of acrobats taking the use of the umbrella to new heights. Tying two umbrellas to themselves, they would jumping from tall trees. To the crowd’s astonishment, they would float to the ground unharmed. We often think of the English with their brolly in hand, but it was its early adoption by the French that showed the utility of the rainshade to the British in the late 1700’s. Hundreds of innovations and the use of modern materials have changed the once unwieldy leather or canvas contraptions into the light and compact devices we use today.

I discovered the amazing versatility of umbrellas for backpacking when Nancy, my wife, gave me one to use on the trail in 2009. This was before I was a thru-hiker. But even on shorter trips, the ability to stay relatively dry, without having to wear a rain jacket was huge in hot and humid Texas. Of course, the umbrella also doubled as a sunshade; perhaps an even more important role in the Texas summer. I soon found it indispensable on all my trips, and it became a regular part of my kit.

Weighing in at 6 to 8 ounces, most hiking umbrellas have a silvered reflective canopy for use in the sun. The canopy is further Teflon coated to repel rain. Fiberglass or carbon fiber makes up the ribs, spreaders, and shaft.

For us ultralighters, 8 oz (half a pound) is a significant amount of weight, but I have justified it by the fact that I don’t have to carry as much water if I have a brolly deployed on those hot sunny days. And I am much, much happier under an umbrella when it is pouring.
I will leave you with a quote from Daniel Defoe’s classic 1719 book, Robinson Crusoe, which reflects my experience. Upon fashioning an umbrella out of skins, the shipwrecked Englishman notes…
” …it cast off the rain like a penthouse kept off the sun so effectually, that I could walk out in the hottest of the weather with greater advantage than I could before in the coolest.”
Until next week, Happy Trails