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I am interested in how people decide which direction to pitch tent i.e. with entrance east for morning sun, south for more shade during day etc Or is it more about view when sitting outside tent? 

Several times we have been camping during heat waves and have been desperate for shade during the day - ending up huddled round one side of the tent when we have got it wrong way round!

On the montana 12 can you change round which side has the entrance/canopy and which the porch?

I look for a pitch with sun in the morning as I find breakfasting outside in the sunshine a perfect start to the day.  Also it gives the tent a better chance of being dry when you pack up to leave.  I'm allways out during the day so finding shade isn't an issue for me. 

The most important thing though is that the situation has the right 'feel' to it.  That's why I would never book in advance for a site which gives you an allocated pitch.

Several factors play a part

1. Slope of land...set the tent up so that you can place your airbed as level as possible but certainly with your head higher than your feet. If it is sideways on to the slope, sleeping isn't comfortable and you could roll off, and if your head is lower than your feet you could end up with a headache and cold feet.

Also, set the tent up with the main entrance door facing down any slope. Then if it rains, water runs away from the tent and not back under the groundsheet. Drips from above the door also drip outwards instead of inwards onto the groundsheet.

2, Shade...the sun is highest in the sky and hottest at midday. If you arrive on site around midday as many people do because of the site rules, try to find a pitch in the shade if you have a choice. That way you will get shade at the hottest time of day and with a bit of luck the morning and evening sun as well.

3. View...most tents have more than one door so this isn't too much of a problem, but decide where you would like to put your windbreak or seating area and make sure that has the best view.

4. Prevailing winds...most areas have a prevailing wind direction although depending on the lie of the land, hillsides etc; this can't always be relied upon. Have a look around at the trees and see which way they tend to be leaning...always a good sign of which direction the strong winds come from. Again, not too much of a problem but it is often best to have your tent in-line with the prevailing wind rather than across it.

In hot weather open the door on the windward side to let in the breeze and in cooler weather open the door on the lee side. If you open all the doors in hot weather the breeze will just blow straight through. It's often better to allow the tent to trap the breeze for better cooling.

...and if you can get all these factors dead right...you're a better man than I, Gungadin!

Bob - I think you have just about covered it all there - well done!

 For me the slope and its affect on sleeping position is crucial....poor sleep will ruin a holdiay faster than anything else. We have discovered though, that taking a single airbed with us can help solve sleeping slope problems. If it is partially inflated and put under the edge of the double airbed we use, (i.e. the edge that needs propping up to make it level) the natural effect of our weight is to make the single airbed take on a wedge shape under the double, thus filling in the gap and providing a level bed.

Quote: Originally posted by Bob™57 on 11/3/2007

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Several factors play a part

1. Slope of land...set the tent up so that you can place your airbed as level as possible but certainly with your head higher than your feet. If it is sideways on to the slope, sleeping isn't comfortable and you could roll off, and if your head is lower than your feet you could end up with a headache and cold feet.

Also, set the tent up with the main entrance door facing down any slope. Then if it rains, water runs away from the tent and not back under the groundsheet. Drips from above the door also drip outwards instead of inwards onto the groundsheet.

2, Shade...the sun is highest in the sky and hottest at midday. If you arrive on site around midday as many people do because of the site rules, try to find a pitch in the shade if you have a choice. That way you will get shade at the hottest time of day and with a bit of luck the morning and evening sun as well.

3. View...most tents have more than one door so this isn't too much of a problem, but decide where you would like to put your windbreak or seating area and make sure that has the best view.

4. Prevailing winds...most areas have a prevailing wind direction although depending on the lie of the land, hillsides etc; this can't always be relied upon. Have a look around at the trees and see which way they tend to be leaning...always a good sign of which direction the strong winds come from. Again, not too much of a problem but it is often best to have your tent in-line with the prevailing wind rather than across it.

In hot weather open the door on the windward side to let in the breeze and in cooler weather open the door on the lee side. If you open all the doors in hot weather the breeze will just blow straight through. It's often better to allow the tent to trap the breeze for better cooling.

...and if you can get all these factors dead right...you're a better man than I, Gungadin!

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