Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Wind at Trail Camp - What kind of tent

Curious on how bad the wind can be at trail camp. I assume I'll have to use rocks to stake out, but is a four-season tent mandatory? All the tents I own are ultralight, and although they can be staked out well, and are low profile, I don't want to be stupid up there. I've seen some photos where it appears that there are wind breaks, but just wondering if this really affords any protection or should I just go with a four-season. Thanks in advance for your input.

At times, very windy. Wind breaks only do so much. I'm sure they do something, but I found sleeping in a tent to be worse than sleeping without one. The higher profile structure you are in, the louder your "sleeping" experience will be. If it doesn't look like rain, you might want to consider bivying.

That's very helpful. Appreciate the input very much. I do have a bivvy sack, so will watch the weather and consider your suggestion. Thanks again

I would concur that low profile is better, but there is some shelter from the wind offered by a rock ledge, behind my little Walrus tent if you look at my 2001 trip report.

When you pick out a spot at Trail Camp, pay attention both to wind and drainage. Some of the tent spots are dished in toward the middle of the area, so if you get any rain, you'll be sleeping in a puddle. Look for a spot that drains away from your tent, just in case.

Thanks Alan....great trip report and I see what you mean by the rock wall. I'll be prepared. Appreciate the input.

i think any freestanding tent would work fine, although i have seen a few wind mangled ultralight tents that have been left up during the day while the owner is on the summit.

no matter what the tent i would make sure to either break it down or throw some heavy rocks inside on the corners just in case...because i've also seen some tents upside down just below trail camp ha!

also, if you plan on leaving it up at trail camp while you head to the summit leave a door slightly open...if a marmot wants to get in it will...better to have it enter the door than tear a hole in the side (i've seen this first hand). obviously don't leave any food or anything marmot enticing inside!

have fun!

A 1960's boy scout heavy canvas tent works best, but only if you can talk someone else into carrying it.

Or avoid the issue altogether - plenty of wind protection on the ledges above Consultation Lake.

Anything I bring, I plan on taking down during the day. I was just wondering how bad the winds get at night.

I've heard about the infamous marmots. I read somewhere where one chewed a hole through a very expensive tent, then chewed another one to get out, (obviously it was too much trouble to leave the way he came in).

I've witnessed people leaving food where they shouldn't. I won't make that mistake. Anything with a scent at all will go in the bear canister.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Hey, not for all this discussion to scare anyone off, I've camped at Trail Camp in pretty respectable winds in non-freestanding tents, with no trouble. You can certainly stake out, if you look for a spot.

I remember being up there in a Wentzel Starlight. (sigh)
I think they still sell them to people as foolish as I was to lug that from Yosemite. Held up fine.

Thanks Ken, will keep that in mind. I think I will be prepared either way. My ultralight tent can stake out really well, (and it's more like a bivvy tent, so it's really low profile), and I also have a bivvy sack, so I will watch the weather and then decide.

Thanks to everyone for the input.

Three of us left our ultralight tents up while we did a summit push, lots of wind when we got back, but no problems. We did use rocks as a precaution.

Thanks for the photo Akichow.....

I imagine using lots of rocks will definitely help.

By the way, please tell me the ground was more level than it looks in that photo. I was just imagining you trying to sleep at that angle. :-)

Yes, lots of level spaces. Funny angle there, and the tents were at different levels from eachother.

This is the answer.. Last year trip we stayed just above Consultation and had good wind break. Its only a few hundred yards from trail camp. Plus we made the short hike down to the lake and slayed a few brookies....

Good to hear Akichow....that angled looked very uncomfortable.

I really appreciate all the feedback everyone has given. Gives me a much better picture of what to expect, and I think Consultation Lake is probably the way I will go.

Thanks again for all the comments...

Good call.



Take it easy.