Tents Improving your tent Most basic hike tents can easily be upgraded to storm-proof them for Irish weather.
Many tents blow down not because of the tent’s design but because of bad pitching. First of all, the site you choose should give as much shelter as possible to the tent. Ideally, pitch in the lee of crags, trees, an earth bank or someone else’s better tent! Avoid damp ground which is likely to flood and where vegetation damage will be greatest.
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The direction of pitching should take account of wind direction, usually tents are best with their back to the wind. Finally, the tent should be pitched well; all pegs firm, at a 45 degree angle; fly sheet taut; storm guys well placed; good spacing between fly and inner.
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Avoid camping near fast flowing rivers or crags that could be a danger at night should you need to take a leak. All washing should be done away from the water source and fouled water poured into vegetation 100 metres from it.
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The area chosen as a latrine should be at least 100 metres from any water source. Bury your toilet waste. Burn your toilet paper if it is safe to do so, otherwise bury it also.
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Replace some pegs. The ‘meat skewer’ type sold with many light weight tents are only suitable for pegging down the inner . The angled ‘bulldog’ type are best for pegging down the fly sheet and storm guys. Bring extra ones for double pegging points on soft ground. Bring extra line for storm guys and peg them as far out as possible. Sew on extra guying points around the base of the fly sheet. Replace weak ‘rubber bands’ at guying points with ‘shock-cord’ tied in loops. A silicone sealant can be used to waterproof stitched seams A bivvy bag placed under the ground sheet can prevent damage and damp ingress.
