Camping in a Sand Storm

[waverider365]

We went camping at the beach this summer like we usually do, but this time it was very, very windy now at the beach we expect some sand to get in the tent but not through every single opening it could find. We had sand even coming in through the vents at the top of the tent which is partially covered but in the morning we were all covered.
Is there anything we could have done other than go home?

[Refrigerator]

Use a double wall tent with a fly that is full hooded, ie,... covers the entire tent. Keep the doors down wind as much as possible although some storms do change directions on a beach. Where the fly comes down to meet the ground build up a sand wall around your tent to keeping wind from entering under the fly.
Note ....Sand and high winds take there toll on any tent. Stretching the seams and chiseling into the fabric.

[Pumpy]

I once got caught in one in a tent. The sand was strong and the wind was strong and the top of the tend collapsed down on to us. It was a dome tent and the weak poles just could not take the strain of the wind and sand.

[Chary]

Fortunately, we have never had to face a sand storm when we were camping. That would be a tough one. I think we would have packed up and gone home or at least have put our stuff in the car until the storm blew over.

[le Metis]

I rig my rain fly/tarp as a wind block and postion the entry of the tent toward it. This serves not only to keep out the sand, but provides an area for cooking....

[AK Hunter]

I have camped in a wind storm before, the wind was blowing at 48mph with gusts higher than that. The tent (pop up type) was down beating me on my chest, I thought it would break the tent polls, but the tent was OK.

[campershell]

That is worse than a storm because the sand can enter from every direction through the tiniest hole. I have never been caught in such situation, but I read in a book that those who travel in the desert put up thick fabrics to catch the sand. Would it help if we use wet fabrics to catch the sand?

[le Metis]

Originally Posted by campershell

That is worse than a storm because the sand can enter from every direction through the tiniest hole. I have never been caught in such situation, but I read in a book that those who travel in the desert put up thick fabrics to catch the sand. Would it help if we use wet fabrics to catch the sand?

You could wet a canvas....but, that depends on available water. The rule in desert backpacking is to bivy at least a quater mile from all water sources so as to allow desert wildlife a drink. However, I have used this method for evaporative cooling....

[woodsman]

From the title I thought you were stuck somewhere in the desert, every time the wind blows a little it's not exactly a sand storm. To answer your question most worthwhile tents use zippers to cover the howls in case of such problems.

[Amelie]

I camped in a sandstorm in the Sahara once, I had a good tent with excellent seams - but a lot of those little grains managed to get in anyway. It's not an experience I'd like to repeat - but as a force of nature a sandstorm is amazing. Not good for contact lens wearers !