Tenting in the Sand
Don't get Blown Away
Camping on a barrier island comes with it the sea breezes that we like so much, but when staking out your tent to resist those breezes (and often more than breezes), you will find that the small wire stakes that typically come with a tent in an effort to save weight does not result in the most wind resistant tie-out.
In an effort to resolve this problem, bear in mind that there are several components to staking the tent that are not necessarily immediately obvious:
1. The stake must resist more than a pull toward the tent. The direction of the pull will vary in an actual wind gust, so that the stake will wobble from side to side and will ease itself out of the ground until it leans in the direction of the pull, then all resistance is lost, and the stake pulls lose. The direction of the pull will even be straight up out of the ground on occasion, as the humidity causes the fabric and tie-out line to stretch, and allows the fabric to snap like a flag in the wind.
2. The dryness of the ground affects the holding ability of most stakes. Wet sand can be like hardened concrete, but ten minutes later, after the water has drained, it is easily moved.
3. The stake must be removed in order to strike the campground when departing. This is not always the easiest thing to do, especially if someone forgot to time the tide or dam release, and the water is rising rapidly!
What then is a kayaker to do? Think outside the box!
Carry a variety of staking methods. You do not always get to choose the composition of the campsite. Sand, mud, and rock are all a possibility. Here are some things that I have found to work well.
1. Wide stakes, with holes in them. This will allow the tie-out line to be attached to the center of the stake, which is then buried in the sand. The pull on the line then does not pull the stake upwards from one end, but pulls the entire stake sideways, increasing the resistance. A tab from the top as shown in the third picture makes removal easier.
Go to Home Depot, look at the adjustable shelving section. See the piece that screws onto the wall? The one with the slots to allow the shelf to be inserted? Select a wide piece (there are different styles) and cut it to 8-10 inch lengths. This allows you to tie from the center or from one end. These make an adequate sand stake, especially when buried instead of pushed in! Be sure to round the edges.
2. Another technique is to "deadman" the stake with a second stake. That means stake the tent as normal, but then stake the stakes themselves, from the top of one stake to another stake buried sideways deep into the sand. This keeps the stake more vertical, and increases the holding capability more than two-fold.
3. Sandbags. Yup, sandbags. Try those plastic grocery bags (my favorite trick!) and you might be surprised to find they work quite well, when they are put into a hole and filled with sand. Also interesting is the fact that they are biodegradable if accidentally left underground. They are also easy to pack and can be used to carry out trash after breaking camp. You can also use stuff sacks, but they are hard to clean up in the morning.
4. A simple, light and easy to store solution are Frisbees with small holes in the center, fender washers (large diameter, small hole) and some extra line. These may be buried and provide a reasonable anchor. Some people say to use pie-plates, but most are too flimsy to do any real good when really needed.
5. Custom Sand anchors. Make your own or buy them. Watch out for the tendency of the anchors to form a streamlined flag instead of a high drag device as a pull is placed on the lines. the lines tend to pull together under gusting wind conditions, so put a rock or other item inside them to keep the mouth wide. Some can also double as sea anchors if you make them correctly.
Even free standing tents need to be anchored in wind And DON'T FORGET TO TIE DOWN THE KAYAK OR CANOE! They also like to blow around in a wind, especially if they are empty.