When you’re camping it’s essential to be prepared. Wind and rain can be a real problem without the right tools or knowledge, so here are some tips to make sure you’re ready when the weather takes a turn for the worst!
- Bring an umbrella
Umbrellas are very handy when it rains but can be easily forgotten! It’s not uncommon for you to need one most when you don’t have it. It may be useful to keep a compact umbrella in the car or tent for those unexpected downpours.
- Take a raincoat and overpants
These two items are sure to keep you dry even when the rain is heavy. Some raincoats are long enough that you might not need overpants. Most rainwear is designed to roll up nice and small, so it is an easy item to chuck in your bag!
- Pitch your tent on high ground.
There are many things to consider when picking a campsite, including elevation. When it rains, water flows to lower ground, so to avoid waking up in a puddle, try to pitch your tent on higher ground.
- Don’t set up underneath trees
Something to consider when you first arrive is where to set up the tent. As tempting as it may be to set it up underneath a tree to keep it in the shade, trees can drop limbs in strong winds, so it’s best to just steer clear of them.
- Have waterproof storage
If the rain is extremely heavy, sometimes even the most waterproof tent can allow water in, so you’ll want to make sure items such as your electronics are protected. We recommend using reusable options such as dry sacks to keep important items dry!
- Organise your tent bag.
If it’s wet and windy when you arrive at your campsite, you’ll want to get your tent set up as soon as possible. Pack the car so that your tent bag is easy to unpack without other items getting in the way.
Ideally, you won’t have to unpack your whole tent bag get what you need, or you might find yourself chasing after the fly of your tent!
Pack your tent bag so that the body is on top of the fly to make setting up as quick and easy as possible.
- Bring a tarp
Tarps have a variety of uses, one of which is keeping things dry! If it begins to rain, you can peg it over whatever you want to keep dry. They’re also handy for keeping firewood out of the rain, as it’s nice to have a warm fire once the rain passes!
- Take gumboots or hiking boots.
Kids love to splash in puddles with gumboots, but it’s not such a bad idea for you to wear some too if you want to keep your feet dry!
You could also consider waterproof hiking boots which, despite not coming as high up the legs as gumboots, provide excellent support so you can wear them all day and on walks without discomfort.
Wind and rain aren’t always ideal, but they aren’t so bad if you come prepared. Hopefully these tips help you to have the best camping experience, even if the weather takes a turn for the worst!
As always, we look forward to hearing your feedback. Feel free to write a comment below! If you would like to receive more personalised advice, contact us on (03) 8840 7014 or at sales@wallarooadventurestore.com.au.