 Hi.
I'm always a little unsure if I should be pitching my tent with the rear to the wind or the front. I currently use a Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 and usually pitch it with the rear (smaller more sloped end) to the wind but I've seen similar 3 pole tents pitched the other way round. Does it make much difference? And how would a semi-geodesic be pitched? Does the windspeed make any difference? (i.e. is a slight breeze good to prevent condensation and better front on?)
Thanks. Twit
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You pitch your tent right. It's a hybrid but more tunnel like. With tunnels you always put the back (if there is a specific back) towards the wind. Which is completely logical since you wouldn't want the wind to blow directly into your entrance. That's is with any given model... With geodesic or semi geodesic you put a corner with the smallest area in the wind you then most of the times to put 1 of the four corners in the wind. Choose that corner which makes sure your entrance is as far away from the winddirection... Most of the times that is your right rear corner or your left rear corner. don't bother about thinking about better ventilation, remeber windspeeds can pick up at night when you're sleeping. Put your tent in the right way directly. Small changes in the angle of the winddirection do not have much effect then. However big changes still force you to reset your tent at night when it storms. You'll notice directly when you get your innertent pushed in your face or legs.... The liely hood to must reset your tent at night is just significant lower when you set it up the right way the first time.
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| Edited: 17/08/10 12:14 |
Thanks, Zuma.
That all sounds like good sense. I was a little surprised to see tents the other way around and thought I must be missing some piece of info! I think I might change to a semi-geo in the next few weeks so the last piece of info you gave me here is interesting. And yet again sounds like good sense.
Cheers.
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 I pitch my tent depending on the lie of the ground and also for the view although I do consider the wind direction. Slainte Lindsay
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Ah, Lindsay! On a not-to-harsh evening I'd be following your example. I think you've hit the nail on the head with that one with regards to why a lot of people are out there in the first place. But I'm off for a longer, more ambitious walk this winter/spring so I'm expecting some harsher weather and don't think I've had too much experience of that. I've been so lucky with weather over the years. Just thought I'd better ask you guys who seem to have some proper experience under their belt.
Slainte
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 Salut!
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Prost! 
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| Edited: 17/08/10 13:15 |
yia mas!
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though, why would you want to pitch your tent on a Slant?
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 I always seem to have difficulty in finding which way the way is blowing; no chimneys to look at, tried chucking grass in the air, little bit of ribbon to blow, smoking match. When I do get it right the direction changes just as I finish putting the tent up. Worse when not very windy .Sods law is that the right way on a small flat space has a big thistle, rock in proposed entrance area.
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 When I do get it right the direction changes just as I finish putting the tent up.
I share your ability to change the wind direction just by pitching a tent.
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 When I do get it right the direction changes just as I finish putting the tent up.
I share your ability to change the wind direction just by pitching a tent.
Of course, Frum, if you choose to pitch your tent side on to the wind direction knowing it will change... it won't! It's the same laws of physics that ensure that if you leave your sunglasses in the car it will be dazzling and if you opt to leave your proper rain gear behind you will experience a flood of biblical proportions!
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 Wind direction will often be most changeable when it's blowing hardest, 'cause the biggest winds are with big depressions which tend to track over eastwards with the wind blowing around the eye as they go. Hey ho, such is life. It's one of several things to take into account. There's the degree to which the tent's footprint will fit whatever available space, how flat the sleeping area will be, which way it slopes if you can't get it flat and so on. Tents do generally do best tail into wind (if they have a tail, that is), but outside of major hoolies it's not something to get too hung up on.
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Thanks, Pete.
I usually just avoid high places if it's very windy and find a sheepfold or similar to protect my tent. I want to try and use my Seedhouse SL1 throughout the winter (to save money and I just like it ) but sooner or later I'm going to find myself in some stormy weather (Northern Spain Oct to December) and want to minimise the chance of a collapsed tent. I might stop being a tightwad and go for a new tent, though. Lightwaves look good but Voyager XL looks good, too. And it seems to have a longer inner than the standard one. 2.4kg plus the extra when it's wet puts me off.
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Nothing beats sitting a whole night in your tent with your back against the pole that takes the worst beating (yup I camp in a semi-geodesic). resetting a (semi-)geodesic tent in a severe storm is a 'bit' hairy. better sit it out supporting the poles with whatever you got... The fabric itself is sturdy enough to withstand a severe blow but if the poles snap then everything goes to hell.
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