Been a 'lurker' here for several months, so this is my first post
I just read PTC*'s excellent blog regarding the LC, which answered a question I was thinking of asking:
Quote (from PTC*'s blog) "Experience teaches you a few things. like pitching it pointy end into the wind. I don’t care what Terra Nova say, it works better." Unquote.
I own a 'normal' Laser and had read TN's instructions regarding pitching with the pole facing the wind which, given even my very limited knowledge of aerodynamics, doesn't seem to make sense to me. Have I mis-understood TN's instructions or do they actually mean present the longest side/greatest surface area of the tent to the wind which would surely cause flattening and possible pole bending and/or damage???
I'd be very interested in your thoughts?
Regards,
Mick.
P.S. Hi Imperial Dave, I've lived in Burton all my life. The road system and car parking absolutely suck!! And the traffic wardens seem to breed like rabbits!! (tho' I'm sure they're very nice people). But what I do like is the fact that you only have to drive 5mins in any direction and you're in pleasant countryside with lots of, albeit low-level, walking and some potential for wild camping. There's a really good, active canoe club on Newton Road (I can send you the number if you want it). If you're into real ale be sure to check out the Burton Bridge Inn/Brewery at the end of the 'old' Trent Bridge (my regular) and the Coopers Tavern on Cross Street. Cheers, Mick.
I don't have the LZ but an akto which is similar though obviously far superior!
There are pro's and con's on pitching orientation with the wind.
I normally try pitch the tent at an angle to the wind so that the porch remains sheltered and my feet are at the windward end of the tent. It seems to give the best compromise for comfort, cooking in porch and stability as well as alowing a margin for wind shifts. I would say good campste choice is more important than actual orientation - find the most shelter you can.
IMHO pitching end on to the wind may allow one end of the tent to blow in so that the inner/outer fabrics touch or worse. If this is your feet end then this is not a problem. If you pitch side on then the fabric can flap in your face and wake you up but again you can sleep with your back to the offending tent walls and so long as the pole is well guyed you should be fine.
In very high winds pitched end on the blown in tent fabric may cause the tent pole to bend down causing the guylines to slacken and is possibly the reason for TN advive on pitching side on to the wind. this does not happen when the tent is hit from a the side because as the pole bends the guylines on the windward side tighten.
Been a 'lurker' here for several months, so this is my first post
I just read PTC*'s excellent blog regarding the LC, which answered a question I was thinking of asking:
Quote (from PTC*'s blog) "Experience teaches you a few things. like pitching it pointy end into the wind. I don’t care what Terra Nova say, it works better." Unquote.
I own a 'normal' Laser and had read TN's instructions regarding pitching with the pole facing the wind which, given even my very limited knowledge of aerodynamics, doesn't seem to make sense to me. Have I mis-understood TN's instructions or do they actually mean present the longest side/greatest surface area of the tent to the wind which would surely cause flattening and possible pole bending and/or damage???
I'd be very interested in your thoughts?
Regards,
Mick.
P.S. Hi Imperial Dave, I've lived in Burton all my life. The road system and car parking absolutely suck!! And the traffic wardens seem to breed like rabbits!! (tho' I'm sure they're very nice people). But what I do like is the fact that you only have to drive 5mins in any direction and you're in pleasant countryside with lots of, albeit low-level, walking and some potential for wild camping. There's a really good, active canoe club on Newton Road (I can send you the number if you want it). If you're into real ale be sure to check out the Burton Bridge Inn/Brewery at the end of the 'old' Trent Bridge (my regular) and the Coopers Tavern on Cross Street. Cheers, Mick.
cheers for that Mick.........I may bump into you in the coming months then.....
yes I already know about the road system in Burton but luckily I am living about a mile from the brewery so a walk or a bike ride is as good an option as any.
The big plus for me is that the Peak District is not that far to the north.......
Never got out after all, bit breathless so TOH prevailed upon me to visit GP who said that camping not a good idea as I have a chest infection with marked signs on the left. Upshot is the little red fabric house hasn't been anywhere near the prairie as yet so remains untested.
Antibiotics, lots of rest and review on Tuesday, if no improvement......hospital. Gutted .
Side on the cross section of the laser comp is roughly a triangle, with a base of 220cm and a height of 100cm. So the area the wind will hit is about 12100 sq cm.
End on I guess the pole bends to form an ellipse, with major axis of diameter 143cm and minor axis of radius 100cm. This is an end on cross section of about 11230 sq cm.
So the end on cross section is about 90% of the size of the side on one. In other words, not that much in it really.
For the larger laser I leave the calculation as an exercise to the reader, but given it is wider but not longer I imagine the end on cross section is larger than the side on one.
Also in the side on configuration the pole will be able to flex with gusts in the wind, presumably making it cope better like that.
But that is the maths, and as St Augustine wisely said
"The good Christian should beware the mathematician and all those who make empty prophecies. The danger already exists that the mathematicians have made a covenant with the devil to darken the spirit and to confine man in the bonds of hell."
!
.
