How to pitch a tent in the wind | Fjällräven Campfire Academy, by Fjällräven on YouTube. 2 min 17 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 17 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Pick a sheltered pitch behind a hill, wall or dense bushes, and stay clear of dead branches, lone trees and exposed ridges. Point the narrow end of the tent into the wind and the door downwind.
Lay the tent flat with the door closed. Stake the two upwind corners first, then the downwind corners, keeping the fabric low so the wind cannot fill it like a sail.
Feed the poles through their sleeves or clips while a partner holds the tent flat. If you are alone, kneel on one corner and work from the upwind end.
Raise the tent just enough to stand, then stake every remaining corner. Push stakes in at an angle away from the tent and leave only a small loop of cord above ground.
Attach the guy lines to the loops on the flysheet or pole points. Peg them out at about 45 degrees, in line with the seams, and tension them evenly so the tent does not distort.
Add weight inside once the shell is secure, such as your pack or food bag, but keep the door closed. Check that the flysheet does not touch the inner tent.
Walk around the tent and tighten any loose guy lines. If the wind is very strong, double up the upwind stakes or pile rocks on the stake heads, then recheck the tent after 10 minutes.
Tips and common mistakes
Pitch before the wind peaks if you can, because a flat tent is much easier to control than a half-erected one.
Keep the door closed while pegging out so the tent does not inflate and pull stakes loose.
Use bright guy lines or add a loop of cord to each stake so you can find them in low light.
Do not pitch under a lone tree or dead branches, as falling wood is a bigger risk than wind alone.
Questions
Should I pitch my tent with the door facing the wind?
No. Point the narrow end or lowest side into the wind and keep the door downwind, so wind does not catch the opening.
How many stakes do I need in strong wind?
Use every stake point and every guy line the tent has. In very exposed spots, add a second stake at the upwind corners.
What if I am pitching alone?
Keep the tent flat and stake the upwind corners first. Kneel on a corner or use your pack to hold the fabric while you fit the poles.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
