Camping in the rain is no ordinary picnic. In fact, this can be very bad, because the water will form a puddle under the tent, loosen the pegs, and spoil your fun. However, in reality, rainy days will always be there when you are camping. So, instead of feeling hopeless and unable to have fun, follow the tips here to make the most of the situation. Remember, the rain will pass soon and you'll have a great story to share at your next campfire session!
Step
Step 1. Consider the location of your vacation, trip, or expedition
Will you be living in the maritime territory of Canada, New Zealand's Western Peninsula, or Tasmania, or some other place where it rains regularly? If so, be prepared beforehand. For other camping spots, you still have to anticipate the possibility of rain, both during the day and at night. Check the weather forecast for the area you will be living in before camping.
Step 2. Buy the right tent
While there are many considerations when choosing a tent, there are a few more specific things to consider when anticipating rain:
The tent should have a full cover that hangs well to prevent mud splashing
Step 3. Make sure the hem of the tent is sewn properly
Don't let water get in through the cracks!
- The entrance to the tent must form a lip, like a bathtub, and not be as flat as the rest of the base (which is known as the "bathtub floor". If the floor of the tent is tilted or sewn to the walls, water will enter.
- The lining of the tent must be waterproof – read the instructions to learn about the pros and cons of the product you are planning to buy.
- If you want to camp for a while, use a small tent if you don't mind cramming with friends. If you want to camp for 3 days or more, opt for a big tent!
Step 4. Install the tent correctly
If you must set it up when it rains, have a tarp over you to prevent the tent from flooding before it's fully installed. Also have a mat on the ground for extra protection. This pedestal should not be visible under the hood. Fold the sides so that water flowing through the tent is not absorbed and can be passed between the base and the tent floor. Multi-pitch type tents such as Macpac, Montbell and Hilleberg can be installed with a built-in cover and interior, so they are protected from getting wet from rain. If the weather is stormy, try installing a waterproof mat first and work under it until the inner tent is erected.
Step 5. It is not recommended that you dig a "trench" around the tent
This is because newer tent tub floors will not leak, even when submerged in a pool of water. The trench will only damage the camping site and annoy everyone if you dig it around the tent. However, if you don't have a choice of place, you can do this. However, since this can cause a leak on the floor of the tub, prepare a mat to be placed in the tent to keep it dry.
Step 6. Placement of the tent is very important
Look for steepness, corners, indents, soft soil, and avoid pitching your tent in these places as much as possible. Find the highest piece of land at the camp site. Be careful in areas of dry sediment because the sediment can become puddles when exposed to rain! Also avoid all places that show signs of a flood (eg traces of water, dust, confined spaces, etc.). Water can be channeled into these areas and flooded in just a few minutes if a storm occurs.
Step 7. Use a tarp as an extra layer and/or doormat
If possible, tie the tarp to trees, posts, or anything tall around the camping site (even to your car) to create a "roof" over the tent. Make sure the sides cover the edges of the tent and allow water to drain away. This way, the raindrops will not hit the tent directly. This method is usually easiest to use when you are camping by car. Tarpaulins can also be placed on the floor at the entrance. Here, you'll be standing, storing your wet boots, shoes, sandals, and jacket before bringing them into your tent (prepare a plastic bag to keep the mud from your shoes from contaminating the inside of the tent). Use a stick or other waterproof camping item that sits idle as a hanger for your jacket to dry. Your jacket should also be hydrophobic, which means it dries quickly and easily – buy a quality jacket or two to keep yourself warm.
Step 8. Make sure there is adequate ventilation
Living in a tent causes respiratory moisture to condense into water droplets, which can wet you and your belongings. Good ventilation is key to minimizing this condensation. Remember, the more ventilation the less condensation. It will also be helpful for the tent to have a vent above it that can be opened.
Step 9. Prepare quick-drying towels (packaged/super absorbent towels) to wipe the wetness in the tent
If any water flows into the tent despite your best efforts to prevent it, wipe it with these towels, then hang the towel outside to dry. The faster you wipe, the faster you'll stay dry. In addition, you should also investigate the cause of the leak – perhaps the ropes on the tent need to be tightened or you need better airflow.
Step 10. Bring the right equipment
- Keep spare clothes in a waterproof bag, just in case the tent gets wet due to something unexpected.
- Also have a pair of flip-flops ready at the front door. Choose the shoes that are easiest to put on and take off and have them ready for each tent occupant. Rubber boots can be a good option for walking around the campsite, but also have boots for hiking.
- Always put a raincoat in the tent at night. It may be sunny, but when a sudden storm hits at night and the coat is under a tree, in a locker, or in the car, you'll be in trouble. If you are camping by car, always have a spare umbrella handy.
- Get some light, warm gloves. Even in summer, gloves can come in handy to prevent numbness when it comes to putting up and taking off your tent when it rains.
Step 11. Do interesting things when you have to be stuck in a tent all day
Bring books, games, drawing materials, a diary – anything you can pack up and grab attention. Some examples of games that are versatile are playing card soccer (you can play them in several modes!). Playing cards are also small and practical. Also, you can write down ideas for word games, stick and stone games (such as Tic Tac Toe), prepare a small notebook (or play from memory if you can) for lots of entertainment. Also prepare a folding sleeping bag that can be used as a bench so that you still feel comfortable when trapped in the tent for a few hours. Reading while sitting is more fun.
Step 12. Carefully disassemble the tent
If you can unpack it under a layer of tarpaulin, do so and pack it up before taking it out in the rain. If you're going to be camping again in a dry area, clean up the tent as early as possible so it can dry and air out – this will make your time at night more comfortable. If you can stop camping and stay at a hotel or return home, take the tent apart as soon as possible so it can dry. Never store the tent when it is wet or it will get moldy.
Tips
- Consider buying a tarp so that the tent can be covered on the ground. In this way, the floor will be protected from rips and damage so that water will not enter. However, make sure this tarp is actually under the hood. All the protruding edges can allow water to enter the tent and collect between the floor and the tarp.
- Also prepare a large plastic bag that can be closed or a waterproof container. Store shoes, socks, and anything else that can get inside to keep them dry, regardless of whatever kind of wet tragedy strikes your tent.
- Tents for the four seasons are actually designed for the winter season and by no means provide better protection against rain. This tent is designed to withstand snow loads and strong winds. This kind of tent is not practical to use in the summer because you are carrying things that are not needed and are heavier. In addition, there is less ventilation than a tent for the three seasons.
- Also bring dry wood in a zipped plastic bag. If it rains, the wood around the camping area will be too wet and cannot be used to start a fire. Store dry wood in the car if possible. If there is no dry wood, use a knife to cut the first 2-3 mm of the damp wood. The inside will stay dry. Do it together between 3-4 people so you can quickly start the fire. For dry wood, cut wrist-sized branches into quarters and half pieces – the wood in the middle is dry. You can also search around the trees just below the surface of the bud. The wood in these places is usually dry.
- Install the double tarp inside. This way, the floor of the tent is protected and you stay dry. Use extra-long strong metal poles for all four corners of the tent to keep you safe in strong winds.
- Make sure the tent pegs are installed correctly. The pegs should be strong enough to withstand a stretch of about a quarter of the length of the fabric. Otherwise, the water will seep into the tent. Although the tent and the waterproofing layer must be tightly attached, do not overdo it so that the coating touches the walls of the tent. When this happens, water from outside will also enter inside.
- You will be more protected with waterproof equipment. Also make sure your sleeping bag is like this. Use waterproof bedding. Silk dries faster than cotton, so consider buying one made from silk. If you're camping by car, make sure your pillows and sheets dry quickly – leave thick pillows and bolsters at home.
- If you live in a camping area that has a warm shower, use it to keep yourself warm. You might get mud from your tent or while cleaning your gear in the rain, so a warm shower can help lift your mood and keep you energized. If you're the adventurous type, just sleep in a sleeping bag – you usually don't care about cleanliness anyway!
- Don't camp alone. Have at least one person ready to help. In addition, camping with friends will be more fun.
- If you camp in a car, park it so the car can protect you. If your car is a hatchback type, buy a special tent that takes advantage of this feature (just make sure all the lights in the car are turned off so the battery doesn't run out). This way, you have extra space and a comfortable place to use when it rains.
- Umbrellas may not be true camping gear, but they can still be useful for getting out of a tent, covering wood so you can start a fire, adjusting the waterproofing, or keeping baby dry.
- You will need to put a pedestal under the hood. However, don't stop here. Always have a trash bag or rain jacket ready. These items can also be used as upholstery, for example to cover the inside of a tent.
Warning
- You may be visited by unexpected parties when it rains – such as insects, spiders and other wild animals who see the tent as a safe haven. If these animals are harmless, ignore them. If you have a phobia of an animal, ask someone else to evict the animal.
- Be careful when using the entrance for cooking. Don't do it if you don't have to. Even if you have to, keep the flames away from the tent blades. If it seems that your portable stove can ignite uncontrollably, completely forget about cooking. Find a tree, shrub, or soup kitchen for cooking. Eat energy bars, chocolate, nuts, and jerky meats to keep you warm and strong. Cold canned beans will also be better than eating nothing at all.
- When you leave the camping site and it's still raining, pack up the tent. You will indeed get mud, your fingers will be cold, the comrades will grumble, and the camping equipment will get wet. The awning and waterproofing also don't have time to dry and must be packed wet, as well as the pegs and poles (you can clean the pegs in puddles or wipe them with grass). If you have to reassemble a wet tent that same night under the same conditions, be aware that the tent may get dirty on you.
- Buy quality camping gear (including rubber boots) that isn't cheap. Don't get your toes wet all night.
- When you have to go to the bathroom, do so fully clothed. Don't come out of the tent in your nightwear. You will regret it! Wear a jacket, and, if necessary, waterproof pants and rubber boots. If the weather is warm enough, take off your leggings and head out in only your underwear. This way, your feet will dry faster than if you were wearing clothes. Wear a hat to keep your head from getting wet while sleeping. Leave the socks in the tent. Feet dry faster and are more comfortable when wearing warm socks than wet ones. You can also use a strong-lidded potty and empty and clean it the next day. If you don't have a potty and don't want to go outside, other options are to pee in a container (this may seem embarrassing), throw the urine out, and leave the container to rinse off with the rainwater. You can also pee in the hollow of the tent, especially if the tent is close to a downhill area.
- If you're camping on an area that's relatively free of tall objects, set up your tent close to the trees without touching them. Lightning picks up tall objects, so it's safer to set up a tent near a tree.
- Before choosing a location for the tent, take a look at the landscape. Are you planning to place your tent near the mountain? Remember, water tends to flow from high to low, and can sometimes produce a river. Find a safe place.
- Don't make a drying ditch around the tent unless you're completely flooded. Contrary to what campers think, moats don't help floor tents effectively (if your tent doesn't already have flooring, buy a new one). If you have to, make sure you fill the trench that has been dug before leaving the campsite.
