Easy to deploy and sturdy, modern shelters are built to be used in various environments and weather conditions. However, if you are expecting to face some inclement weather, preparing your shelter for rain, wind, and snow is important to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Here are essential tips on shelter safety and how you can prepare your shelter to ensure you are ready for any weather scenario!
Before leaving
1. Having the Right Shelter
Before leaving for your trip, choosing the right shelter should be the very first step in preparing for extreme weather. Weight is often a consideration for campers, as they want to minimize the weight on their back from carrying the shelter.
However, a light shelter also means some sacrifices in strength, durability, and comfort. Ultralight shelters can be strong, but they are not typically designed for high winds. Heavier, stormproof shelters offer better protection in such conditions. However, these tend to be bulkier and less convenient to carry.
Riding out bad weather with such minimalist protection can be miserable, if not dangerous, so campers need to keep this in mind. Furthermore, some shelters are significantly easier to pitch solo in strong wind, so solo hikers and campers may need to consider this.
2. Prepping Your Shelter
If your shelter is new, it should be weathered before use. This means to pitch the shelter and soak it all the way through. After weathering it, you should also apply a new waterproof coating before each camping season to ensure durability. Depending on the quality of the coating, your coating should then last a few trips.
Lastly, make sure to inspect your shelter for holes, rips, and even developing mold before every trip to ensure it is in great condition before you leave.
3. Research
The last step before leaving is to know your campground well. You should always know the location of the nearest exits, first aid stations, and nearby shops for emergencies. Always check the weather forecast and consider bringing an extra groundsheet if rain is expected.
Anchoring and Pitching Your Shelter
1. Where to Pitch Your Shelter
Selecting the right location to pitch your shelter is key. Before pitching, check if the location is suitable for all weather.
Can you see any pools of water nearby? This could mean water flows down and pools there. Are you at the bottom of a hill or valley? Are you on a corner where there will be crosswinds? There are all areas that should be avoided.
Instead, choose elevated areas and not in a dent to prevent water accumulation. Also, avoid sites near rivers or dry riverbeds that could flood.
2. Prepping the Ground for Pitching
It is important for the shelter to be placed on an even surface to prevent the shelter fabric from being damaged. The ground should be smooth and have adequate grip for the pegs. A layer of geo-fabric or tarpaulin can also be put in to protect the shelter floor and prevent it from getting dirty during setup.
Avoid dragging the shelter across the ground to prevent fabric damage. The fabric should also never be torn with too much force; otherwise, the shelter’s fabric will be damaged. Keep the inside of the shelter clean and free from sharp objects that could puncture the flooring, such as little stones, loose chippings, and other peaky objects.
3. Guy lines and Pitching for Windy Conditions
When calculating space for your shelter, remember that guy lines require additional room, typically one meter on both sides and up to two meters at the ends, depending on the shelter configuration. Upper guy lines significantly increase the stability and strength of freestanding shelters.
Guy lines should be long enough to provide sufficient bracing: a short one following the fabric straight down to the ground does little. Ensure to periodically check and tighten straps, pegs, and guy lines as needed.
Preparing for Rain and Snow
1. During Setup
When pitching in rain or snow, ensure the inside of your shelter and gear remain dry during pitching. This is where shelters that set up fly-first or all-in-one (integral pitch) are essential in cold, wet climates or during winter camping.
In cold climates, it is advisable to use an extra inner liner for insulation and a flysheet for snow protection. Special thermal insulation fabric can also enhance warmth. If you expect to camp often in inclement weather, a fly-first or all-in-one pitch option should be non-negotiable.
If it is currently clear but wet weather is expected, when the shelter is fully erected, dig a drainage ditch around the outside of the shelter to prevent water from accumulating underneath the floor or entering through the openings.
When pitching in snowy conditions, it is especially important to avoid any steep ravines, at the base of steep snow-covered slopes, or under overhanging masses of snow (cornices). This is to ensure that in the case of any avalanche or tremors, your shelter is not buried under a pile of snow. It is also recommended to use snow pegs instead of regular shelter pegs, which can be dug down horizontally to anchor your shelter securely in the snow.
2. During the Storm
During a storm, you may not want to open a vent for fear of getting wet but doing this for a few minutes during calmer moments can be beneficial. Opening a vent for a few minutes during calmer moments helps circulate fresh air, improving the indoor climate, especially in crowded shelters.
3. Avoiding Fire Hazards
While it might be tempting to cook inside your shelter to stay warm, avoid bringing any naked flames or hot materials inside the shelter. Shelter materials may be fireproof, but the heat can damage the surface and start melting the PVC coating and the polyester fabric. Inhaling the flames from burning the PVC and polyester can be hazardous to your health.
Once inside, maintain a safe distance between furnishings and the shelter walls and roof, as strong winds can push the shelter, causing internal damage.
Final Round-Up
Camping in extreme weather conditions needs careful preparation and knowledge. By selecting the right shelter, preparing your gear, and understanding where to pitch your shelter, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable camping experience.
Choosing the right shelter for your specific needs is also a very crucial factor; here at LANCO, all our shelters are weatherproof and made from fire-retardant materials, making it a great choice for campers preparing for inclement weather. While all our shelters are designed to be sturdy and reliable, some of them are specifically built to withstand high winds and snow loads. Chiefly among them, the AZF and RDT shelters have been shown, through a wind tunnel test, to withstand winds of up to 100 km/h and snow loads of 50 kg/m2.
To learn more about our rapid-deployment solutions, reach out today.
