australia:camping_rain
Table of Contents
tips for camping in the rain
see also:
be safe
- practice survival skills in good weather
- be prepared
- tell people where you are going and when you will be back
- take a radio beacon EPIRB device or a satellite phone if this works better
- don't be stupid
- cancel your trip if severe weather is forecast
- don't camp under large branches as they can drop without warning
- remember that creeks may become impassable after heavy rain
avoid lightning injury
choose your tent site carefully
- leave no trace (LNT) principles
- off trail site gives others space and reduces impact on trail
- flat site with mild convexity for natural drainage if it rains
- in the breeze to reduce bugs but not too exposed
- avoid bottom of valleys or dry creek beds where air is coldest and risk of flooding in heavy rains
- avoid topography likely to become wind tunnels
- avoid hilltops where exposed to storms and lightning risk
- avoid under large branches which may drop without warning
- avoid being next to lightning targets (and if lightning is possible, avoid open spaces too)
- avoid being near habitat paths
- avoid cliff faces with hazard of rock falls or in the snow, avalanches
- choose dry ground as it is warmer and you will have less condensation
- granite or gravel is usually good
- if possible select a site with a natural windbreak
tarps
- if solo, one or two 7'x 7' tarps preferably one of which can act as a poncho is very useful
- tall people may prefer 8'x8' but this is a touch more weight
- for groups, consider two 10'x16' tarps
- 2 tarps allow for a chimney over a fire which is very handy in wet weather
- take at least 4 plastic stakes and plenty of rope such as paracord
keep everything dry
- rain coats and rain gear generally have a DWR coating which repel water
- eventually this will need to be re-applied otherwise the outer becomes saturated and it will lose breath-ability resulting in the inner also getting wet
- make sure your backpack has a waterproof cover even if it is said to be weatherproof, and ensure the bottom is waterproof for when you set it down on wet ground
- set up tent under a tarp if raining then relocate the tarp, or at least have a tent you can set up fast or set up the fly first although this option is not ideal and the tent may still get wet
- pitch the tent/rainfly as taut as possible so it'll shed water properly
- if it i a single wall tent do not touch the wall of the tent - water will seep through
- if a double-wall tent, don't touch the inner wall of the tent to the outer wall – the rain will seep through
- leave wet gear and outer layers in the vestibule
- adjust the tent's vents to allow some airflow
- carry everything in plastic bags such as recycling bags and zip-lock sandwich bags for smaller items
- carry goods in two layers of waterproofing
keep yourself warm
- no cotton (unless you are car camping and can change when it gets wet) - use synthetics in warm weather or wool in colder weather
- consider synthetic fill for sleeping bags as down loses insulation when it gets wet
- carry a spare set of dry clothes including sleep socks and a spare pair of socks for walking
- light weight rain jacket with hood and rain pants will generally keep most drier than a poncho but in humid conditions you are still likely to get wet from perspiration
- gaiters help keep you dry and provide added protection
- broad rimmed hat will help keep rain out of eyes, and help reduce the hoods on ponchos making your head and neck sweaty
- if you feel chill then add layers
- it is OK to go to sleep in wet rain gear if your sleeping bag gets wet as wet and warm is better than being cold and dry
wear appropriate footwear and prevent blisters
- many prefer to wear a pair of sturdy, waterproof hiking boots or hiking shoes although whatever you wear, your feet are likely to get wet
- hence you need to pro-actively manage pressure areas to avoid blisters - eg. use Vaseline
- take a pair of sandals or wet shoes as an extra item as these are handy around camp site and for crossing streams
- bring blister first aid kit
try to keep the inside of tent and your camping gear dry
- the inside of the tent will develop some condensation even if it is not raining, this is reduced with use of a double wall tent and mesh but mesh means a colder night and potential dampness from the inside of the fly
- buy a tent with good ventilation and with vestibules
- do not set tent up in a water course as it may quickly become a river
- set tent up under a tarp initially, or at least set the fly up first
- generally no need for ground cloth under the tent as they just collect water
- ensure tent has a bath design so waterproofing extends up the sides - many augment this by lining it with builder's plastic sheet
- choose a tent with good water resistance
- Dyneema / cuben fibre is pretty much water proof as long as the seams are sealed and there are no holes in the fabric
- Nylon tents are only water resistance and are rated with waterhead ratings - choose a tent with high ratings of at least 5000mm for floors and 1500mm for flys
- choose a tent with double wall rather than single wall
- if you touch the inside of a wet single wall tent, it may start leaking water into your tent at that point
regularly check tent during storm
- guy out all lines
- make mid-level guylines at least 6' long
- place big rocks or logs on top of stakes
- wake up at regular intervals to check guyline tension and staking
- if tent is being compromised consider reducing risk of tent poles breaking by supporting the walls with your hands
- if very high winds, consider taking tent down and wrapping yourself in the tent fly
cooking
- be careful, sparks can melt / burn tarps and tents
- never cook inside your tent - fumes or flames will kill you or risk burning the tent
- avoid cooking in the vestibule
- cook under the extra tarp you have set up as long as tarp is at least 6' from flames
australia/camping_rain.txt · Last modified: 2022/09/08 19:14 by gary1