Above Treeline!

Two issues come to mind, when expecting wind 1) the greater time it would take to find a sheltered place for your lightweight shelter and 2) finding a way to anchor your shelter in rocky soil or where there is no soil.  In my last above treeline trip I was wishing I had brought my pyramid shelter rather than my tarp for its greater ability to shed the wind. Some of my hiking buddies had regular freestanding tents that were damaged.

For above the treeline – sunblock, sunglasses, hat and maybe chap stick

Above 10,000 – don’t underestimate the impact of altitude.  My resting heart rate is pretty low, but at altitude, it can be 75% – 100% higher.  Drink lots of fluids.  Have fun

My son and I hiked the JMT last summer and I attached sacrificial “rock loops” to the end of the guylines on my Duplex tent. They were just 14 or 16″ of cord with a bowline tied onto each end. I left them larksheaded to each of the guylines and ignored them when I used stakes but used one or more (sometimes all of them) many nights.

Rock Loops

Enjoy the stars! Sleep outside your tent…

billy

Thanks Jon! Fitness is high on my list!

john

Thanks for all the good info!

Sleeping outside will be a new thing. We got loads of them tick things here in the midwest. I like being “safe” inside my golite nest!

Pitching Shelter is also a concern on my list. I’m currently a tarp camper.

john

Fall at higher altitudes above treeline – bring some good clothing layers to block the wind and cold. And keep your sun hat nice and tight so the wind doesn’t steal it. Whatever shelter you choose, practice putting it up in windy conditions near home to work out your technique, including placing rocks on the corners temporarily while inserting poles, stakes, etc.

+1 on the “rock loops” for tents/tarps – especially crucial if you can’t find a camp spot with some shelter from the predominant wind direction. Above treeline, definitely use big rocks or multiple rocks stacked on each stake, or rocks tied off with “rock loops” without stakes. I like to error on the side of using more rocks and heavier rocks, and I look for camp sites with lots of them. It’s worth the extra 10 minutes it takes to pile extra rocks up, as a buddy of mine learned the hard way…

A few years ago two friends and I were camping in the upper Enchantments in WA above treeline with minimal shelter from the wind. One of my buddies used rocks that were a little too small to stake out his cozy free-standing tent. We returned to camp after a chilly and windy day hike to find his scratched up tent and all his gear strewn for hundreds of feet downwind, including his down bag floating in a small pond. Took a good hour for all three of us to collect nearly all his gear. Luckily he was able to partially dry out much of his gear that afternoon and we were able to lend him enough extra layers to stay safe and reasonably warm overnight. Going solo would mean less margin for such errors.

+1 on sleeping under the stars – a bivy sack is easy to set up and is much less affected by wind. Great option in late summer/Fall when there’s little bug pressure. There are usually fewer bugs above treeline anyway due to wind. A waterproof/breathable bivy works OK in moderate wet conditions, but I’d prefer more shelter in prolonged rain. It’s nice to have a small tarp as well and plan to camp lower if the incoming weather looks really wet.

Timberline isn’t always a clear cut line. Often up higher there will be stands of trees and then clumps of stunted trees and bushes above that. As I drop into a high basin I will be camping in I like to make a game of looking ahead and guessing where the sheltered campsites will be. Sometimes waist or chest high brush that looks thick and gnarly will have goods sites hidden in the middle of it. If you scan ahead and think about it you can usually find some sort of wind break to camp by, even if it is just some boulders.

Read your prep info on acclimating to altitude.

Try to find an “actively hiking” ranger to confirm water availability on your route. Time of year is important. If it’s a common route, this is mostly for your comfort rather than safety.

Consider a storm alert barometer. (They have them integrated with altimeter watches). Will usually give you 10-20 minutes warning. When the clouds hit the rockies they can instantly change altitude/shape/color.

More sunscreen/chapstick needed. If you wear a hat/long sleaves you might just need it for the tops of your hands if using poles.

If you get bloody noses in dry climates, some people stick a little Neosporin in their nose each morning to moisturize.

If you do any canyoneering in Utah, check/double check flood warnings with the rangers hours before you go in. Rain miles away reportedly can still send a huge wave down the canyon. Utah lost some hikers this year who had a “moderate” flood warning on their permit.

I realize this will not appeal to most ul hikers but I have found an umbrella to be a welcome shelter during hail storms.  Sub 6 ounce umbrellas are available.  That or keep your tarp easily accessible for quick deployment.

Above Water Line!

• be very careful where you setup if your close to any mountains … look for any rockslide paths and be aware of any possible rockfall …this applies even when walking about
• use at least 30-40 lbs of rock at each major guypoint (critical for tent to stay up) …
• if all you have is small rocks you can put em in a larger stuff sack and close the sack, roll or twist it up, bunch up the top with a few rocks in it and clove hitch the constriction … obviously this may damage the sack eventually, but if its a choice between a blown tent or wearing out yr stuff sack its not a hard choice
• you can also build an equalized anchor on the major guypoints … just remember the multiplication of forces on the angles
• bring extra lines and stakes of course … you may need em to loop around rocks

;)

NOLS Backcountry Lightning Safety Guidelines

Don’t underestimate the size of the rocks needed to keep your tent in place if it gets windy. Prepare loops accordingly.

Expect sleep disturbance in the form of insomnia like symptoms.

Drink.

Lots of good advice here, especially on the wind.  Its a bit stronger and more persistent than Midwest wind.

I would emphasize the effect of the sun.  A good hat is a must.

I did a Sierra trip this past summer and really liked having a very thin long sleeved base layer.  It was on OR Echo but others would be fine, as long as they are long sleeved and thin.  I was thin enough that I was always able to wear it, and it keep the sun off nicely.

Don’t forget your hands.  I fried my hands.  Gloves or enough sunscreen for the hands is important, especially if you use poles.

I live in Colorado and have lived in Utah, and backpack in CO, UT and WY over the last few years. And I love tree line and above, prefer it. So here’s my 2 cents:

1. I cover skin as much as possible. The sun is relentless, and the air in the Rockies—even with the monsoons—is deceptively dry. I wear long sleeve shirt (merino wool, Stoic brand from BackCountry.com), long sleeve pants (prAna zion), an OR Sunrunner hat, and thin gloves. Yep, gloves. Nice thing is, I don’t have to carry sunscreen, which can create quite the hideous paste when mixed with dust from the trail. I’m a firm believer that skin exposed to sun is far more dangerous than the extra heat you may experience with long sleeves and pants. You’re going to sweat either way.
2. Wind. Lots of it. I use a Copper Spur UL1, because it can handle the sideways winds that come with the monsoon hail and rain. And in late August and September, sometimes snow. No offense to the comment about an umbrella, but it’ll become a kite above tree line in these states.
3. Did I mention the monsoons? Be ready for downpours with wind in exposure. Sometimes they can last an hour or more. I choose to use a bit more rugged rain jacket. The hard part for me is having to carry the extra ounces of foul-weather layers when it may only hit an hour or so a day. But in my opinion it’s a necessary evil.
4. Gaiters. Lots of dirt and small rocks means it can get into shoes (especially if you wear low-tops or trail runners), so I use eVent gaiters. Also protects ankles because you’ll be brushing up against a LOT more rocks than when in a forest.
5. No fires. Sometimes they aren’t allowed, but even when they are, fuel is scarce and wind can be problematic. If you rely on fires when camping below tree line, don’t count on them above it.
6. Tent stakes are your friends. Instead of tying off a guy line to a rock, tie it to the middle of a tent stake. Then wedge the stake horizontally between large rocks. I agree with Eric Chan, bring extra stakes and a bit extra guy line. George Fraiser is right, you can usually find some pretty decent wind breaks even above tree line.
7. Your tarp. I’ve almost pulled the trigger so many times on tarps, but the wind and hail I deal with all the time make me unsure. I think you’ll be fine, but just make sure to pitch TIGHT and keep the edges low to the ground. Not sure what tarp you’re using, but the ability to open it up a bit to ventilate when the wind isn’t blowing is wise (condensation). And to enjoy the stars a bit. :)

But here’s the most important thing: above tree line is beautiful, and so worth it in my opinion. I can’t get enough of it. The weather changes like crazy, but it makes for some amazing sunsets!

Hope that helps a bit. Keep researching, ask these same questions on multiple forums. Once you have a solid plan, be confident (you’ll learn as you go, it’s part of the fun) and enjoy the adventure!

I really like the tip about the rock loops, thanks for ‘sharing!!

I agree, similar to what I mentioned about a tent stake (tying to a tent stake instead of a small rock, wedging stake behind large rocks). Small rock works great as well!