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A4 checklist with all illustrated steps. Tick the boxes on paper as you go.

FeatherSticks · Shelter

Camping in Strong Wind: Site, Pitch, Anchors and When to Leave

The wind is not the danger. What it brings down is.

Quick facts

Core rule
Plan for gusts, look up, narrow end into the wind
Difficulty
Moderate; storms need experience and margin
Best for
Tarp, tent and hammock campers in exposed or autumn weather
You need
Extra guylines, long stakes, spare cord, forecast

What you need

  • Tarp or tent with enough tie-out points, including mid-panel loops
  • 10 m or more of spare cord for extra guylines
  • Extra stakes, including longer V or Y stakes for soft ground
  • Stuff sacks that can double as sand or snow anchors
  • Windproof layer, hat and an extra warm layer
  • Headlamp, earplugs and a charged phone with the forecast
  • Stove with a suitable windscreen

Step by step

  1. Check mean wind and gusts

    1 Check mean wind and gusts

    Read the forecast for mean wind and gusts, not one number. Plan for the gusts; with a storm warning, or Beaufort 7 and more in forest, postpone.

  2. Find shelter, but look up

    2 Find shelter, but look up

    Camp in the lee of a bank, dense young trees or a forest edge. Never under dead trees, hanging branches or, in a storm, any tall trees.

  3. Narrow, low end into the wind

    3 Narrow, low end into the wind

    Point the low or closed end of the tarp or tent into the wind so gusts slide over it. Pitch for the strongest direction expected tonight.

  4. Stake the windward side first

    4 Stake the windward side first

    Keep the tarp in its bag, pull out one end and stake the windward corners first. Unroll it downwind, weight it, then rig the ridgeline low.

  5. Add guylines, angle the stakes

    5 Add guylines, angle the stakes

    Guy out every point, add lines on the windward side, drive stakes at about 45° away from the pull and back them up with rocks or a second stake.

  6. Check at night, leave in time

    6 Check at night, leave in time

    Re-tension after gusts and check with a headlamp. If the wind rises towards Beaufort 7 or branches fall, break camp early and move to open, sheltered ground.

Common mistakes

  • Planning for the mean wind and forgetting that gusts can be twice as strong.
  • Camping under tall trees with dead branches because they offer shelter from the wind.
  • Pitching broadside to the wind, so the tarp or tent acts like a sail.
  • Unpacking the whole tarp before anchoring it, then watching it blow away.
  • Driving stakes vertically or leaning towards the shelter, so they slide out in gusts.
  • Lighting an open fire upwind of the tent or in Beaufort 6 and more.
  • Waiting until the storm peaks at night before deciding to leave.