Thunderstorms

[SpencerT]

What do you if a thunderstorm rolls in and you are camping with a tent? Do you stay inside your tent or quickly try to pack it up and get the both of you inside the car or truck? I guess if there are indoor facilities you can keep dry there, but what if there isn't any? What do you guys do when you get stuck in a storm?

[Judy Ann]

Hey SpencerT, I always set up my tent away from rivers or creeks where flooding could suddenly happen and check overhead for dead branches that could fall just in case a bad storm rolls in. I always stake the tent and figure I'm prepared if I hear thunder, rain or see lightening. When it happens (and it usually does) I quickly zip up the vestibules and stay put. My tent has withstood tropical storms with high winds and hard rain, and hail in the mountains. If my dog gets a little scared I've been known to pull her under the covers and put my hand over her eyes and tell her it's ok. After that first tropical storm I learned to sleep well during a thunderstorm.

[ponderosa]

I have good tents, and LOVE being out in rain and snow storms. I love being warm, dry, and cozy but still feeling close to the storm, with just a little mesh and nylon between me and the weather. It would be a different story if I didn't trust my gear.

[IndianaHiker]

I don't carry a tent any longer but use just a tarp. Offers good rain protection and due to the fact its open at both ends and both sounds stays cool in the rain as it still vents. The tarp is 8x10 so it is big enough to stay dry under it. So have used it in some pretty good thunder and lightning storms.

[calanta]

We have tried to stand the rain out and also pack up to run off. Both come with fun experiences so why not just enjoy them? Its only water after all. That is a nice looking tarp, where did you get it?

[Lamebeaver]

I'm a backpacker, so running to the car is not an option.

You obviously want to avoid pitching your tent on top of a hill, or at the bottom of a gully. I also try to make sure I don't pitch my tent near the taller trees in the area.

I also sleep on a big agnes air-core pad, which insulates me from the ground. I would not advise standing in the rain, as this could be more dangerous than staying in your tent.

Being in a tent in a thunderstorm is actually kind of cool. I love it!

[firedancer]

Originally Posted by Lamebeaver

Being in a tent in a thunderstorm is actually kind of cool. I love it!

I agree! Last summer I was on a river trip where we were camped on a sandbar (no trees, no shelter, etc) and a big storm rolled in around 5am - we just waited out the storm in our tents - it was pretty exciting and sometimes sounded like the lightning was right on top of us. The only other option would have been to pack up and paddle out but getting out on the water in a lightning storm would have been foolish, possibly deadly.

[IndianaHiker]

Originally Posted by calanta

We have tried to stand the rain out and also pack up to run off. Both come with fun experiences so why not just enjoy them? Its only water after all. That is a nice looking tarp, where did you get it?

Granite Gear White Lightning. Got mine at local shop just about anyone that sells Granite Gear will have it. If not Her is a link to the Granite Gear Site. I also have the dodger but have never used it yet. Great thing about it the 8x10 tarp is just 1 Lb.

Granite Gear Store

[Qweetzy]

That's pretty cool. I always take the tent out but I can understand the 1 pound being a better option and taking more food with me. I may have to try it. I try to ride it out. I have no option if I'm backpacking so I just hunker down and try to stay low to the ground. I agree with not pitching your tent on top the hill or in a gully. Many a camper has been washed of by being stupid with their campsite.

[whitewater]

A good tent should be able to withstand a brief thunderstorm. I do follow the advice to stay away from creeks and rivers just in case there is a flash flood.