You and your friends set about pitching your tents, excited for the night of fun you had planned. But as the wind picked up, you couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.
Sure enough, within minutes, a gust of wind had blown one of the tents away.
You and your friends quickly ran over to secure the tent, but it was too late. The damage had been done.
If you had known how to secure a tent in high winds, you could have avoided this disaster.
Don’t let this happen to you. Keep in mind these few Points how to secure a tent in high winds.
Point # 1:
Choose the right spot.
When choosing a campsite, pay attention to the surrounding area. Avoid camping near trees or large rocks that could fall and crush your tent.
Also, be aware of the direction of the wind. You don’t want to set up your tent in an area where the wind blows directly towards it.
Point # 2:
Use guy lines
Guy lines are ropes or cords attached to the corners of your tent and staked into the ground. They help to hold your tent in place and prevent it from being blown away by strong gusts of wind.
If your tent doesn’t come with guy lines, you could purchase them at most camping or outdoor stores.
Point # 3:
Use sandbags or weights.
If you’re worried about your tent being blown away, you can use sandbags or weights to hold it down.
Place the sandbags or weights on the corners of your tent and secure them with guy lines. It keep your tent sceure and in place even in strong winds.
Point # 4:
Avoid using awnings
Most tents come with an awning, but did you know they can make your tent more vulnerable to high winds?
Awnings can act like sails, catching the wind and blowing your tent. So, if you’re expecting high winds, it’s best to avoid using an awning.
Point # 5:
Use stake extenders
If you’re worried about your tent stakes being pulled out of the ground, you can use stake extenders. These are simply long pieces of metal or plastic that fit over your tent stakes, making them longer and more challenging to pull out.
Stake extenders can be purchased at most camping or outdoor stores.
Point # 6:
CHECK THE FORECAST FOR THE WEATHER
The sun’s strength is weakening. The increasingly volatile weather could lead to significant problems.
Check the forecast for where you’ll be going before every camping trip. Keep keen eyes on incoming rain, hail, or worsening conditions, and make (or cancel) necessary preparations.
Point # 7:
BE A TEAM PLAYER.
Bringing a friend or two with you on your camping trip will be helpful. Extra hands can help hold down the tent or equipment if it starts to fly away, and more people in the tent at night will help keep it stable.
You’ll have plenty to talk about for years if you bring them along.
Point # 8:
Always stay in the open area.
If there is a lot of wind, make sure not to set up camp under any trees that might fall. This means that you need to avoid things that might hurt you, such as branches and other things that might be blown around in the wind.
Try to find an area with no trees or bushes. In this way you will protect yourself from the wind and also from getting hurt.
Point # 9:
Select the best GEAR for camping.
Make sure you have a suitable tent for strong winds. In a high-wind region, a 12-person family-style tent with an awning and enough space to stand up on another camper’s shoulders isn’t the most excellent shelter.
The less surface area there is for the wind to push against, the better—select low-to-the-ground, sturdy tents that can withstand a tough stretch.
Point # 10:
For tenting, always find a Natural Windshield Protection
When looking for a good camping location, seek one protected from high winds.
A row of trees, for example, can serve as a fantastic windshield. A line of trees also provides a good windbreak, but don’t camp beneath the branches.
Point # 11:
Purchase a Tents Repair Kit:
When there’s a lot of wind, you must be prepared for everything and anything.
If a tiny limb strikes your tent, it’s likely to create a tear. Have a tent repair kit in case something like this happens so you can mend or patch it before the damage worsens.
Point # 12:
How To Take Down Your Tent In High Winds
This is the process performed in reverse.
Remove the tent poles first. Then, take your stuff out and set it on the tent. This will (obviously) keep it in place until you’re ready to pack it into a bag.
Remove the guylines and pegs. Always work your way upwind last, so you don’t get a tent over your head.
When you’re finished, fold up the tent and put it away.
With these simple tips, you can rest assured that your tent will be safe and secure in even the strongest winds. So, don’t let the wind keep you from enjoying your next camping trip.