How to pitch your tent in the rain
There’s nothing more uncomfortable than getting wet when you’re out camping. If you have to pitch your tent in the wet, there are some easy ways to keep the inside of your tent dry so you have somewhere warm and comfortable to rest up when you’re ready to eat or sleep. Staying dry is important for maintaining your body temperature. Once you get wet, you are in danger of getting cold so always aim to stay dry in your tent.
SELECT THE RIGHT CAMP SITE
Look for a flat, well-drained area that is above streams and pools so your site won’t flood if the waters rise rapidly. If all flat areas are sodden due to heavy rain, set your camp on a slight slope so water doesn’t get into your shelter.
PITCH YOUR CAMP
The aim is to keep your gear and the inside of your shelter dry. Remove your shelter from your pack carefully so other kit isn’t exposed to the rain and doesn’t fall out. You will only have a problem keeping your tent dry if the tent pitches inner-first. If this is the case, you need to get your tent up fast. If possible, throw the flysheet over the top of the tent to keep off as much of the rain as you can.
GET UNDER COVER
The goal is to get inside the tent without wetting the groundsheet or any dry gear so make sure you do any outside chores such as filling your water containers before you go inside the tent. Ideally, put your pack in the porch of the tent and crouch next to it while you strip off your wet waterproofs and any other wet garments. Do not sit on the groundsheet in wet clothing.
STAY DRY
Once you are in the tent you need to get warm so put on some dry clothes and sit on your sleeping mat. Do not bring any wet items inside the tent. To reduce condensation and keep the inside of the tent dry, make sure the tent is ventilated enough to get some air flow without letting in the rain.
Avoid going outside again if you can but if you do, it’s worth checking guy lines and pegging points as Nylon stretches and sags when it gets wet so they may need tightening. If your pegs start to pull out of the damp ground stamp them down.
PACKING UP
If it’s still raining when you pack up, make sure you pack your rucksack inside your shelter so it stays dry. This includes the inner tent if there is one. To avoid a wet tent getting everything else inside the pack damp too, it’s worth strapping it on to the outside of the pack or stuffing it in an outside pocket.
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