How to Keep Rain Out of Your Tent

This is more of a "tips" article, but at least you'll sleep in a dry tent in wet weather after reading it!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tent
• Shovel
• Tarp or ground cloth
• Common Sense!

1. Let's start off by selecting a good campsite. If you notice rain clouds, you might want to camp on high ground to start with. There's no way you'll sleep in a dry tent if you're camped on low ground. You don't want to be on a hilltop in a storm, so select an area with good windbreaks.

2. Now that you've selected your camp ground, get your tent up. If you've got a ground cloth, great. If not, you can make one from a tarp if you've got one handy. If all else fails, find a pine or cedar tree and cut off just enough to lay down as a thick bedding. The point is, get off the ground! A cot would be wonderful in wet weather but if that's not an option, put something between you and the ground.

3. Here's where you need an entrenching tool (as it is called in the military) or a camp shovel. Dig a trench around your entire tent about 6 inches deep and about 6 to 8 inches wide. Now, dig a channel on all four corners or your trench to channel the water away from your tent. If your tent is circular in shape, dig the channels running down hill. This will prevent the rain water from running under your tent and soaking you and your gear.

Tips & Warnings

• It is ideal to camp in nice weather. Camping in a storm should be avoided if at all possible.
• Most modern tents are fairly well waterproof. Canvas tents are usually waterproof, but will leak if you touch the tent when it is wet. If need be, stretch a tarp or extra ground cloth over the top of the tent.

[highcloud]

on 9/14/2009 I love camping and I have always wondered how to keep the rain out. Thanks for sharing!!! 5*