Before you go camp in the wilderness, it is important to know a few tips to correctly set up a tent. First, you will want to know exactly how the tent sets up. Practice, practice, practice at home; know the ins and outs of your particular tent—different brands of tents set up in different ways—so that you are prepared to build a shelter in the night or during the day, and in any weather. One of the benefits to setting up a tent at home is that there’s very little stress at home. You can go through the instructions and take your time.
If you are going to camp in an assigned campsite, then you’ll probably have few choices as to where your tent can go—most sites have a predetermined spot to set up a tent—but if you are camping in the backcountry, then you should know a few things. First, you will want to set up on high, flat ground; don’t set up your tent in a low spot where water can accumulate.
When you reach your campsite, have a strategy to set up your tent; you need to have a few strategies to handle the wind and the rain. First take notice of the trees. Setting up your tent in line with a stand of trees might block out the wind. Also take notice of the trees around the campsite: Are there any overhanging branches that are cracked or look as if they could fall in a breeze? You should orient the tent with the strongest side into the wind; if the tent is symmetrical in structure, then place the smaller end of the tent into the wind, reducing the tent’s footprint.
The tent’s doors, if possible, should be oriented in a way that wind doesn’t carry in rain; most shelters are waterproofed, however blowing rain can oftentimes find its way through a zipper or in the small gap beneath a staked-out rainfly.
If you are planning to spend some time camping in the wonderful wilderness areas that surround the Bitterroot Valley, stay safe. And make sure you respect the wilderness, leaving no trace.
