Camping for beginners – Pitch a tent – Part 1
In this 3-Part series, we’ll be sharing some pointers on purchasing, preparing and pitching
your tent.
We originally intended to make this a single article (Pitching a Tent? How hard can that be?)
but we soon found that we’ll need to break it up into more bite-sized chunks. Without further
ado, let’s get started.
Today’s tent designs are diverse and innovative, and knowing what to look for in a tent can
be overwhelming. Having said that, there are still a few ‘golden rules’ you can follow when it
comes to tent selection and preparation, in the shop and before you hit the track.
Here is a quick hit-list of points you should consider:
Tent Size:
Be aware that when purchasing your tent, the stated capacity (ie, 2-person, 4-person, 8person, etc) is generally based on an absolute maximum capacity.
It won’t include space for storing a rucksack, cooking/eating space or, for that matter,
room for getting changed or packing up.
A 2-person tent will sleep 2 people, that’s it.
If you need room to throw your rucksack, or swing the proverbial cat, make sure you select
a tent which is at least ½ to 1-person larger than the intended sleeping party.
Tent Rating:
Many tents are rated in a ‘2-3-4-season’ fashion. This is a guide to understanding the
suitability of the tent to weather conditions.
A 2-season tent will generally be suited to warmer, dryer seasons like summer and late
spring/early autumn. Ventilation will feature a lot, they will be lightweight and only have
basic protection against rain and wind.
A 3-season tent will be a little more rugged, and perhaps feature a good mix of ventilation
and weather resistance. A decent 3-season tent should repel rain and hold up in a stiff
Camping for beginners – Pitch a tent – Part 1
wind.
A 4-season tent should be able to handle alpine or snow conditions. It’s base will be thicker
and it’s design will be stout and stable. Superior rain and snow resistance should feature.
It will often be heavier as a result of the weather-proof materials.
For more information check out Understanding tent types and ratings.
Tent Weight:
On the subject of weight, we know that tents are getting lighter as fabric and pole
technology evolves.
Weight is a major factor for hikers, who want to keep their pack-weight to a minimum.
If you’re camping out of a car, or just ‘base-camping’ and not lugging your tent around
every day, then don’t worry too much about weight.
Why pay extra for something that you won’t benefit from?
Spares and accessories:
Most tent kits are sold with all poles and pegs included.
You shouldn’t have to worry about buying these separately.
But if you feel like taking a few spare pegs, that’s a great idea. Consider investing in a
groundsheet (more on that in Part 2).
A small hammer to bang in your pegs is a great idea too, especially if pack-weight isn’t an
issue.
Tent Preparation:
Before you leave on your adventure, practice pitching your tent for the first time at home,
or a friend’s house.
This will help you familiarize yourself with all the components, and make sure you have
everything you need.
You’ll feel far more confident setting it up in the bush if you’ve done it already, and
remember any of the mistakes you made the first time around!
Take special note of how the tent was folded when you un-packed it for the first time.
Tents often have a ‘preferred method’ of storage, and some will be difficult to pack up if
you fold them the wrong way.
A ‘dry-run’ at home is also an opportunity to dispose of any plastic/cardboard packaging
the tent may have been sold with.
Camping for beginners – Pitch a tent – Part 1
It’ll be impossible to dispose of on the track, and it’ll just take up extra weight and space in
your pack or vehicle.
Ready to hit the road with your new tent? Great. Subscribe to be notified when
Part 2 is published where we go into campsite selection and preparation.