The most important decisions you’ll make on a hike happen when you’re cold, wet, and exhausted.
It’s tempting to collapse the moment you reach camp, especially after a brutal day. But those first 10 minutes? They’re everything. That’s when you set yourself up for a dry, safe night….or a miserable one.
Why Most Storm Disasters Start Before the Storm
⏰ Let me take you back to 2021:
We’d just slogged through hours of wet Tasmanian scrub, only to arrive at a barren, wind-blasted lakeshore. No trees. No bushes. Just a flat, exposed surface and the wind howling across it.
We pitched our tents, knowing it would be a long night. But before I even thought about crawling inside, I did what I always do:
Slow walk around the tent.
Checked every peg and guyline.
Ran my hand along the fly, searching for sagging or loose points.
💨 The storm hammered us all night. At 1:00 a.m., a guyline tore out. I was out there in the wind, reinforcing anchors with rocks. Not fun, but the tent held.
It held because the setup was thorough from the start.
⏱️ My 90-Second Arrival Check
Here’s the routine I never skip, even when I’m shivering and tired:
Pick the right spot:
Avoid hollows, runoff channels, and exposed ridgelines.
Even a small rise or natural windbreak can make a huge difference.
Secure the windward side first:
Tension guidelines so the tent can’t twist or flap.
A tent that moves is a tent that wears itself out.
Check peg holds:
Feel the soil. If it’s soft or loose, reinforce with rocks. now. Not at midnight.
Run your hand along the fly:
Look for sagging. Any low point is a future drip point.
Clear the vestibule edges:
Nothing should touch or stick out where it could wick water inside.
This takes less time than boiling water. But it’s the difference between a dry night and a soggy one.
Why Most Skip This (And Why You Shouldn’t)
You’re tired. The tent looks fine.
But what looks “fine” in calm weather can fail fast when the wind picks up. Guylines go slack, pegs work loose, and water finds every weakness.
The arrival check is about confirming, not assuming.
I always do a final walk-around at bedtime, too. It takes 90 seconds and has saved me more nights than I can count.
Want to See My Exact Storm Kit?
I’ve just launched Trail Kit. A free, no-fluff directory of the gear I trust in real Tasmanian conditions.
You’ll find:
Tent setups that have survived real storms
Wet weather layers that actually work
Trip-specific kit lists, built from experience
THAT’S ALL FOR THIS WEEK
Thanks for reading Mowser’s Musings. I hope this helps you hike further and happier.
Until next week, keep exploring.
Mowser
Discover more. Hike further.
P.S. Want a reality check on your current hiking prep? Try the Multi-Day Readiness Quiz. Three minutes for a clear picture before your next trip.
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