Hi all!
Looking to get away Thursday, for my first camp this year, but concerned about the wind forecast, especially the gusts!
I've 'lost' a tent in the past due to wind gusts, so am understandably nervous!
I've now got a Vango Calisto which has steel poles & is reassuringly sturdy, but Thurs night/Fri early hours is predicted as upto 32mph gusts with average wind speeds of ~22mph and this is at all 3 sites I've looked at - N.Devon, S.Devon & S.Wales!
I'm quite an experienced camper & know all the advices on pitching direction/guying out properly etc, but am still nervous of the wind forecast!
I'm tempted to just go for it, but camping solo in unpleasant wind conditions is less relaxing than staying home, tho I'm itching to get out there!
Would you more experienced campers risk it?
Too windy is when it gusts 50 to 60mph and snaps you steel pole in half . 20 to 30 wouldn't worry me but pitch is your main concern being on your own but im sure there should be a few help full hands around if you ask .
Top tip Don't wait till your struggling to get help . Ask before you start even as a joke ! ' If you see me flapping around give us a hand '
Good point about pitching Rob Hopefully some kind soul will take pity if I'm flapping around!
I can laugh about it now, but when I 'lost' my tent to the wind, it took me with it! Camp site surfing is not an experience I would like to repeat!
I did a practice garden pitch yesterday as I haven't pitched it since August last year - managed fine tho my garden is pretty sheltered!
Hoping the weather is kind to me as I've spent the evening packing my car & done a shop - lots of vino will I'm sure help me sleep even if it is blowing a hooley out there - wish me luck!
I have an old sunncamp frame tent from the '90's. Went camping to Snowdonia the other week, the first night there it blew an absolute hooley. The tent stood firm, but wouldn't have enjoyed it if I was in my other tent with the modern bendy flexi poles to support it.
Ditto asking for help setting your tent up, I'm a solo camper and I struggled like hell with my tent in those winds.
I'm off to South Devon where the forecast wind gusts have dropped to a more 'comfortable' speed! & on phoning the campsite the very lovely lady said that if I was flapping in any way she'd be on hand to hold a corner etc, so happy days!
Will be sure to do a review on my return & if I can manage it even post a few photo's!
Quote: Originally posted by Stubb-z on 22/5/2013
When you go to sleep in Wales and wake up in the south of France, it was probably too windy!