1. Choosing the Right Location for Your Base Shelter
The location of your campsite is critical when camping in the rain. Follow these steps to ensure you select the best spot:
Elevated Ground: Choose a site on slightly elevated ground to prevent water pooling around or under your shelter.
Avoid Low-Lying Areas: Stay away from valleys, depressions, or areas near rivers and lakes that may flood during heavy rainfall.
Natural Windbreaks: Position your shelter near natural windbreaks like boulders or bushes to shield it from strong winds.
Avoid Trees Directly Overhead: While trees can offer some protection from rain, they continue dripping long after the rain stops and pose risks of falling branches during storms.
2. Setting Up Your New Base Shelter
A sturdy and waterproof base shelter is essential for staying dry and comfortable in wet conditions. Here’s how to set it up effectively:
Use High-Quality Materials: Ensure your base shelter is made of durable, waterproof materials such as vinyl-coated polyester or Silnylon. These materials resist water penetration and are lightweight yet strong.
Ground Tarp Setup: Lay a tarp underneath your base shelter before setting it up. This provides an extra layer of protection against ground moisture.
Overhead Tarp Protection: String up an additional tarp above your base shelter using paracord or guy lines to create an overhead rain cover. This will help divert rain away from the structure.
Secure Anchoring: Use heavy-duty stakes or sandbags to anchor your base shelter securely, especially if high winds are expected.
3. Creating a Functional Outdoor Living Space
Your new base shelter can serve as more than just sleeping quarters—it can also act as a communal area for activities during rainy weather:
Add Sidewalls or Curtains: If possible, equip your base shelter with sidewalls or curtains to block wind-driven rain while maintaining ventilation.
Set Up Camp Chairs and Tables: Arrange camp chairs and tables inside the sheltered area for dining, playing games, or relaxing.
Lighting Solutions: Use LED string lights or lanterns to brighten up the interior of the shelter during gloomy weather.
4. Waterproofing Your Gear
Keeping gear dry is crucial when camping in wet conditions:
Dry Bags and Waterproof Containers: Store clothing, electronics, food supplies, and other essentials in dry bags or waterproof containers inside the base shelter.
Clothesline Under Shelter: Set up a clothesline within the covered area of your base shelter to hang wet clothing and gear for drying.
5. Staying Warm Inside Your Base Shelter
Rainy weather often brings cooler temperatures, so staying warm is important:
Layered Clothing System: Wear moisture-wicking layers (polyester or wool) under waterproof outerwear to regulate body temperature.
Hand Warmers and Heated Gear: Use hand warmers inside gloves or boots for added warmth while lounging in your base shelter.
Warm Sleeping Arrangements: Add insulating layers like bivy sacks or double sleeping pads under sleeping bags to retain heat.
6. Preparing Food Safely Under Shelter
Cooking safely under a new base shelter requires careful planning:
Portable Stove Setup: Use portable stoves with proper ventilation under tarps but outside enclosed spaces to avoid carbon monoxide buildup.
Comfort Foods for Rainy Days: Prepare hearty meals like soups, stews, hot cocoa, or Dutch oven recipes that provide warmth and energy.
