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From: Sisler, Clyde <Clyde.Sisler_at_wang.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 09:17:15 -0500
The only beach camping I've ever done is under a beach umbrella with a 6
pack so I hope someone can help me.

If you've got nothing but sand and nothing to tie your tent to, what's the
preferred way of securing your tent against high winds?

Campmor offers tent stakes called 'Sand Hogs', a 12" heavy steel stake.

I had been thinking about fashioning some sort of cloth buckets I could fill
with sand and bury.  Then I saw in Kabloona that Victoria Jason had attached
some sort of skirt around her tent that, I guess, she covered with sand to
keep it tied down and to prevent wind from getting underneath the tent.

Any thoughts?
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From: R. Walker <rww_at_neosoft.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 09:59:43 -0600
> If you've got nothing but sand and nothing to tie your tent to, what's the
> preferred way of securing your tent against high winds?
> 
> Campmor offers tent stakes called 'Sand Hogs', a 12" heavy steel stake.

Personally, I use a bivy sack instead of a big tent.  But with a tent, 
you could use any long metal rod, probably would need to be at 
least 24" long, and personally, I'd just as soon carry a set of 36" 
long rods, probably aluminum or brass.  Buy at a hardware store, 
hammer a hook into one end, and be sure to bring a mallet for 
setting the stake.

Also, any weight inside the tent around the edges will help 
considerably.

Richard Walker
Houston, TX
http://www.neosoft.com/~rww/kayak_log.html
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From: Dave Kruger <dkruger_at_pacifier.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 08:46:43 -0800
R. Walker wrote:
> 
> > If you've got nothing but sand and nothing to tie your tent to, what's the
> > preferred way of securing your tent against high winds?
> >
> > Campmor offers tent stakes called 'Sand Hogs', a 12" heavy steel stake.
> 
> Personally, I use a bivy sack instead of a big tent.  But with a tent,
> you could use any long metal rod, probably would need to be at
> least 24" long, and personally, I'd just as soon carry a set of 36"
> long rods, probably aluminum or brass.  Buy at a hardware store,
> hammer a hook into one end, and be sure to bring a mallet for
> setting the stake.

Richard's idea is a cheap and practical one.  

If you have any metalworking skills, you might take a look at a "snow
fluke," a device climbers use to anchor in soft snow, and fabricate half a
dozen replicas with centrally-located holes to anchor tie-off ropes to. 
Note the fluke must maintain the correct "attitude" in the sand, or pulling
on it will extract it from the sand.  The commercial versions I have seen
(and owned, long ago) had a cable lashup which kept the correct angle.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR


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From: John Somers <somers_at_utmbrt.utmb.edu>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 10:18:37 -0600
At 09:17 AM 12/28/98 -0500, you wrote:
>The only beach camping I've ever done is under a beach umbrella with a 6
>pack so I hope someone can help me.
>
>If you've got nothing but sand and nothing to tie your tent to, what's the
>preferred way of securing your tent against high winds?
>
>Campmor offers tent stakes called 'Sand Hogs', a 12" heavy steel stake.
>
>I had been thinking about fashioning some sort of cloth buckets I could fill
>with sand and bury.  Then I saw in Kabloona that Victoria Jason had attached
>some sort of skirt around her tent that, I guess, she covered with sand to
>keep it tied down and to prevent wind from getting underneath the tent.
>
>Any thoughts?

Clyde, instead of cloth buckets you could use the empties after you finish
your six-pack.  :~)

	JS

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From: Whiterabbit <whiterabbit_at_iw.edwpub.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 09:01:45 -0600
IF there is ample driftwood where you are at, you can use that as an
anchor.  Attach about 6 - 8' lines on your tent's tie out locations.  Find
pieces of driftwood at least 2 inches in diameter and 2 feet long.  Tie the
lines around the driftwood and bury them.   Do at least two on the upwind
side and one on the downwind side.  If your tent doesn't have locations to
attach tie-outs, it is probably not suitable for camping in high winds.  

For true leave-no-trace, dig up the driftwood when you break camp and
remove your lines.

This approach is good for up to about 20 mile per hour winds.  Don't know
if they work in higher winds, because if the forecast is for that high, I
stay home.

In sandy location there is a trade off on campsites.  Being in a sheltered
location on the lee of the island gives you some protection from the wind,
but unless there is substantial vegetation, at the expense of sand in
everything.  Being on the windward side means less blowing sand, but the
full effect of the wind.

Mounding sand onto the bottom of your tent helps, but usually isn't necessary.


At 09:17 AM 12/28/98 -0500, Sisler, Clyde wrote:
>The only beach camping I've ever done is under a beach umbrella with a 6
>pack so I hope someone can help me.
>
>If you've got nothing but sand and nothing to tie your tent to, what's the
>preferred way of securing your tent against high winds?
>
>Campmor offers tent stakes called 'Sand Hogs', a 12" heavy steel stake.
>
>I had been thinking about fashioning some sort of cloth buckets I could fill
>with sand and bury.  Then I saw in Kabloona that Victoria Jason had attached
>some sort of skirt around her tent that, I guess, she covered with sand to
>keep it tied down and to prevent wind from getting underneath the tent.
>
>Any thoughts?
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>
                        ,,,
                      (o o)
==================oOO--(_)--OOo==========================
                  Bob Washburn
whiterabbit_at_iw.edwpub.com  or   rwashbu_at_siue.edu
The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.
=========================================================

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From: Bob Tellefson <bob_at_sbka.org>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 09:26:24 -0800
At 09:17 AM 12/28/98 -0500, Clyde wrote:
>
>If you've got nothing but sand and nothing to tie your tent to, what's the
>preferred way of securing your tent against high winds?
>
>Campmor offers tent stakes called 'Sand Hogs', a 12" heavy steel stake.

The Sand Hogs are excellent but heavy.  I carry 6 of them for securing my
tent or lean-to/sunscreen on sandy beaches.  A few months back they were
well tested when I landed on a sandy beach, chased in by gale force winds.
I staked my tent in dry sand and slept through the noise of 50 knt gusts
only to be awakened by the silence of the wind dying early the next
morning.  It was well worth the extra weight.

>
>I had been thinking about fashioning some sort of cloth buckets I could fill
>with sand and bury.  Then I saw in Kabloona that Victoria Jason had attached
>some sort of skirt around her tent that, I guess, she covered with sand to
>keep it tied down and to prevent wind from getting underneath the tent.

Before the Sand Hogs, I would often use plastic handled shopping bags like
those used in grocery stores.  They are easy to carry, have amazing tensile
strength and are great for hauling out the trash or dirty laundry.  A half
dozen of these fit in the palm of your hand.  I often wonder how the world
got by without them.



Bob Tellefson
Santa Barbara Kayak Assocation
http://www.sbka.org
805-683-9717

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From: Philip Wylie <pjwylie_at_planet.eon.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 10:42:48 -0700
Sisler, Clyde wrote:

> The only beach camping I've ever done is under a beach umbrella with a 6
> pack so I hope someone can help me.
>
> If you've got nothing but sand and nothing to tie your tent to, what's the
> preferred way of securing your tent against high winds?
> ____________________________________________________________



> Purchase  'Snow Pegs', I have  found them successful in sand and in very
> high winds. However, damming the foundation floor of your tent is still
> a wise idea:
> a.)   for the sake of keeping wind from lifting under the floor
> b.)   for water run off from the perimeter area of one's tent.
>
> One should still be wise in their selected choice of a camping area.
> Constructing a modest windbreak from drift wood is a nice thing to do
> especially if you are trying to cook in high winds.
>
> Snow pegs are made of 1/8" aluminum tapered and perforated with lightening
> holes
> and bent longitudinally in a half circle for added strength and grip in the
> sand or snow. They are great for hiking because of the reduced weight and
> should be available at Mountain Equipment Co- Op or Totem Outfitters.
> There is a great stocking stuffer you missed this Xmas.
>

If you are interested in valuable camping & survival tips I encourage allto
check out the following URL which contains Dr. Andre-Francios Bourbeau
Primitive Skills-Group. The archieves are worth exploring.

http://pages.infinit.net/_at__at_z7ia5RcAC0QQcivZ/afb/priskar1.htm

Best Regards & Happy New Year,

Philip Wylie

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From: Barbara Kossy <bkossy_at_igc.apc.org>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 09:44:43 -0800 (PST)
More than once I've tied my tent to my kayak on windy sandy beaches.

Barbara



At 09:17 AM 12/28/98 -0500, Sisler, Clyde wrote:
>The only beach camping I've ever done is under a beach umbrella with a 6
>pack so I hope someone can help me.
>
>If you've got nothing but sand and nothing to tie your tent to, what's the
>preferred way of securing your tent against high winds?
>
>Campmor offers tent stakes called 'Sand Hogs', a 12" heavy steel stake.
>
>I had been thinking about fashioning some sort of cloth buckets I could fill
>with sand and bury.  Then I saw in Kabloona that Victoria Jason had attached
>some sort of skirt around her tent that, I guess, she covered with sand to
>keep it tied down and to prevent wind from getting underneath the tent.
>
>Any thoughts?
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>
>
* -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * --*--*--*--
             Sea Kayak Italia - Elba, Italy
            http://www.seakayakitaly.com
      tel.  650-728-8720  fax 650-728-8753
* -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- *--* --*--

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From: Gabriel L Romeu <romeug_at_erols.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 19:14:37 -0500
A simple, light and easy to store solution are frisbees with small holes
in the center, fender washers and some extra line- these may be buried
and provid a reasonable anchor.  Of course have an extra one, preferably
a glow in the dark for evening play.
You can also bury ballast rocks... 

Sisler, Clyde wrote:
> 
> The only beach camping I've ever done is under a beach umbrella with a 6
> pack so I hope someone can help me.
> 
> If you've got nothing but sand and nothing to tie your tent to, what's the
> preferred way of securing your tent against high winds?
> 

-- 
gabriel l romeu
http://members.aol.com/romeug     studio furniture
http://members.aol.com/romeugp    paintings, photos, prints, etc.
http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR  a daily photo journal

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From: Michael Neverdosky <MichaelN_at_cycat.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 19:44:44 +0000
Remember to tie up your kayak.
How many stories have we heard of people waking up and finding
their kayak gone?

As Sinbad would say, "Trust in Allah, but tie your kayak." (sic)

If you are going to the ends of the Earth, you might also want to
take a pair of earplugs. After a day or two of listening to a screaming
wind a break can be very nice. :-))

michael

romeug_at_erols.com wrote:
> 
> A simple, light and easy to store solution are frisbees with small holes
> in the center, fender washers and some extra line- these may be buried
> and provid a reasonable anchor.  Of course have an extra one, preferably
> a glow in the dark for evening play.
> You can also bury ballast rocks...
> 
> Sisler, Clyde wrote:
> >
> > The only beach camping I've ever done is under a beach umbrella with a 6
> > pack so I hope someone can help me.
> >
> > If you've got nothing but sand and nothing to tie your tent to, what's the
> > preferred way of securing your tent against high winds?
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From: Philip Wylie <pjwylie_at_planet.eon.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 21:41:25 -0700
Michael Neverdosky wrote:

> Remember to tie up your kayak.
> How many stories have we heard of people waking up and finding
> their kayak gone?
>
> As Sinbad would say, "Trust in Allah, but tie your kayak." (sic)

Moreover, be sure not to camp to close to the shoreline where possible.
How many tents have I seen washed away because they had to be abandoned
in an emergency. One, plus three near floodings or washaways from having
camped too close without consideration of the tide line and moon phase.
I saw one tent washed up into a surge channel still intact with all the
poles and remnants inside..which tent discovery was over a year old.
Somebody goofed. Howling winds off the pacific on Vancouver Island
is reason enough for the vast ship graveyard that lays off her shores.

I like Sinbad for his saying but to camp too close to the shore line
is to sin bad.

Cheers,

Philip

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From: <Tomckayak_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 22:42:54 EST
In a message dated 12/28/98 10:03:55 AM Pacific Standard Time,
bkossy_at_igc.apc.org writes:

<< More than once I've tied my tent to my kayak on windy sandy beaches.
 
 Barbara >>
This does not work well if kayak is empty. 

Sorry if I am stating the obvious.
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From: <Johnlebl_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 22:46:54 EST
In a message dated 12/28/1998 8:05:43 PM EST, MichaelN_at_cycat.com writes:

<< Remember to tie up your kayak.
 How many stories have we heard of people waking up and finding
 their kayak gone?
 
 As Sinbad would say, "Trust in Allah, but tie your kayak." (sic)
 
 If you are going to the ends of the Earth, you might also want to
 take a pair of earplugs. After a day or two of listening to a screaming
 wind a break can be very nice. :-))
 
 michael >>

Tying up one's boat is so fundamental that we sometimes take it that all know
this.  A grounded boat is NOT tied!

This reminds me of a duck hunting trip one day.  When my two hunting buddies
and I returned to where our 16 foot flat bottomed boat was pulled up on the
salt grass AND anchored, another hunter was there waiting.

As we approached, he asked if I could take him to get his boat.  Thinking he
had walked quite a ways from it hunting (salt marsh grass makes easy walking
with teh lay, but tough against it) I said sure, where is it?  He pointed
across the lake about a mile across and said over there I think the wind blew
it away.

I inwardly laughed to myself and agreed to take him while my partners waited.
There was not enough room for all four of us in teh boat.  As I got ready to
relaunch my boat, I went to retreive the anchor about 30 feet into teh grass.
He asked me "what is that for?"    I told him "to keep MY boat from floating
away!"  Duhhhhhhhh!  Some people never learn.

Always TIE your boat.  If you ever canoe or raft teh lower canyons of the Rio
Grande between Texas adn Mexico, at night tie your boats with at least 60 feet
of rope adn tie it to a rock UP the canyon wall.  A thunderstorm hundreds of
miles away can dmp enough water to run down the side canyons from a hundred
miles away.  You will never know it, but during the night you will awaken with
just enough time to grab sleeping bag and haul ass up the rocks of the canyon
wall to save your own sleepy but now wide awake butt.  Never mind enough time
to retrieve canoes up there also.  They will survive at the end of their
tether.

Tie your boat and tie it well.  Good is not enough.

John LeBlanc


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