Is It Safe to Camp in High Winds?
We know what they say, security first. For arranging everything related to camping, always think of camping safety and plans. This will protect you from all kinds of miseries that may ruin your fun.
In that case, learn about the safety of camp in high winds.
How to Camp Safely in High Winds
1. Get out of there as soon as possible
If the weather is rough and you can feel the upcoming strong wind coming towards you, then it’s time to leave the place immediately. You need to know when to undo your tent and pack other stuff.
Look for an emergency shelter and the shortest way to go there. You need to learn all these earlier.
2. Update your information about the weather if that time
Average worse weather is ok. But we are not used to rough calamity. It should also be noted that
Being in a modern apartment won’t let us know about the rough weather in nature. Strong winds will inform you about the upcoming natural disaster.
Look for the forecast for the area where you will travel. Also check on incoming hail, rain or severe conditions.
3. Keep repairing tools
Get a toolbox that contains stuff that can sew & patch the tent up as needed. Repeat this if you go for even one night. Get a first aid kit for sewing & patching up yourself if necessary as high winds can lead to injuries.
4. Try not to stay alone
It is good to have a couple of friends with you during camping. In that case, you can be quite relaxed as you are having a couple of helping hands when needed. Many people can put extra weight on the mat of the tent.
This will get you out of the danger of flying away from your tent during strong wind. You can share so many stories with them and it is more fun in this way.
5. Try to stay away from heavy trees
Stay away from any tree that might shed a branch. Keep your family & friends out of any kind of danger. Keep a distance out of the path of falling limbs or trees.
Open spot will be a good solution not to fall down any tree on your tent. Low bushes are preferable in that case with low risk of injury.
6. Investigate what you have
Many tents come with user reviews and recommendations. Make sure to familiarize yourself with yours. Always look for larger wind ratings. Search for the numbers & what they mean.
You can stay alert and run away to a safer place. But the tent will suffer during a serious storm.
7. Protect your eyes
During the time of strong wind, you always need protection, especially the eyes. Eyes are very sensitive. Dust can get into your eyes and make them itchy. This can have some serious consequences.
8. Sweep clearly
Before setting up a camp, the place must be cleared properly. Different kinds of dust can go into your face, mouth and hair to make it dirty.
On the other hand, if the campsite is dirty, then it looks nasty and you won’t feel the nature property. You may also smell dirty stuff if the campsite is not neat and clean.
9. Face the tent accordingly
Set it up in such a way so the wind flows over and around you. Decorate the tent so the narrow ends are facing towards the winds. This will give minimum pressure on the tent to stay fit all the time.
10. Proper timing
It’s difficult to realize the actual time when a strong wind comes. Sometimes it comes without any warning. If somehow you can realize the arrival of the win, take steps immediately, otherwise you can’t handle the situation. It’s easy to set up everything properly while it’s calm.
11. Don’t skimp on the tent setup
Wild weather will exploit any weakness you give it, so be sure to stake everything properly, secure it well, and don’t cut any corners.
Rushing a step or two while you make camp may help you get out of the wind sooner, but can lead to bigger headaches later as repeated friction finally works a flap loose or tugs a shallow stake free.
12. Maintain proper angle
Don’t insert the stakes straight into the ground. Dig them in at a vertical angle so they can better resist forces that may try to rip them off. If you like wind camping, you may buy grooved, wind-resistant stakes.
13. Hang with guyline
Guyline is a tent-saver. Learn how to set up these lines that attach With the rainfly & add stability.
14. Try to avoid fly
Refrain from putting the fly. Open the tent near the top to allow air to flow through. Or it may push against the tent like a kite.
15. You can think like yourself as a sailor
Use different knots to secure ropes & lines of various thicknesses for different circumstances. Get a list that will hold what needs to be held secure.
Don’t sacrifice your nails to undo a knot or avoid cutting rope with a knife at the last moment.
16. Consider fire
Maintain a fire in windy conditions in a low spot for your fire pit. In high winds, it’s good to avoid the blaze altogether. For other potential fuel around, avoid the possibility of your fire getting out of hand & setting the forest ablaze.
17. Avoid using stove inside the tent
People don’t burn some logs in the center of the tent, but they set up a stove inside the shelter. Firing into an enclosed space with the grill is risky.
The fumes can cause asphyxiation. If you need to turn on a cooking system, keep it monitored & keep it outside.
18. Don’t get bored
Strong winds can cancel the daytime plans & can keep you up at night. Pack some books or cards to pass the time to get rid of cabin fever.
19. Realize the situation
It’s a natural phenomenon. Accept it.
When you learn that the tent walls won’t stop flapping all night. Soon you’ll get some sleep. If you have a high wind resistant tent, you can rest easily by knowing that you & all your gear will be in the same place.
What is the best tent for high winds?
ALPS Mountaineering Lynx Tent can be chosen that has two poles designed with a free standing mechanism.
The assembly process is easy with clips that quickly snap on the aluminum poles. There are two doors & two vestibules included to make entry & exit are easy and offer plenty of gear storage & wet weather protection.
The overhead gear loft & side mesh storage pocket will keep the most needed gear in our hand while in the tent. It has half mesh walls that increase ventilation.
FAQs
It is safe to camp in high winds or strong winds if you know all the rules and regulations regarding devastating calamities. If you are camping with older people and children, then you better avoid it to stay safe.
Yes, camping in a storm could be dangerous. Trees can fall on the tent and injure humans who are in the tent. Dirt, dust can go into your eyes and make you irritated. It could be devastating to make camp into the storm.
Tents can handle wind below 20 MPH without stakes. Wind speeds that cross 40 MPH are noisy & damage your tent. 50 MPH or higher is too much for the maximum kinds of tents to withstand. Read the instruction manual to see how much pressure it can handle.
A good quality tent must be strong enough to handle winds that can reach up to 31 mile per hour or 50 Km per hour or even higher. Usual quality weather-resistant tents can resist about 7.5 mile per hour or 12 km per hour to 15.5 mile per hour or 25 Km per hour.
According to scientists regarding this issue, wind speeds above 40 mile per hour are considered too windy for campers who want to go out in windy weather. Avoid camping in such harsh weather conditions. A special tent is required to handle such speedy wind.
For windy weather, you can pitch the tent facing to the direction that offers maximum protection & stability. It means directing the narrowest parts to the direction of the wind. Pitch at an angle to the wind in such a way that the force of the gusts is spread more randomly over the tent.
