Camping Near Dead Trees. Need Help

In Colorado, we are a couple of decades into several beetle epidemics, and many parts of the state are completely covered in beetle kill. At first, they were just dead, but now they are falling down. I can even recall a couple of reports of a tree falling on people camping. So yep … I hear you.

In some places it has become almost impossible to camp in a completely safe way. I try hard to stay far away from dead trees. And if it’s windy, I’ll really go the extra mile to find open areas or live trees. But there are times when I take my chances.

I just hiked Colorado last fall. Beautiful, even areas with dead trees. But yeah, I had to risk it a couple of nights. Thanks.

It’s not an option for me. I keep going and find one without dead trees-even if the only site is crappy.

I don’t worry. My tent is 15 times stronger than steel.

🤣🤣

Ignorance is bliss! Years past I didn’t even think about it. Now I take it very serious and have had to hunt/hike-on many times to find a suitable spot. Sucks when the sun is setting, feet are tired, and all you want to do is crash, but better than being smooshed.

The odds are with you. If you win, you get a good night’s sleep. I mean other than sitting up every five minutes listening to the wind blow. If you lose, well, you know.

I try to be as safe as possible because somewhere down the road, I’m going to mess up. Having the proper safety gear and following safe practices enhances my experience and gives me a little more confidence to push myself a little harder.

To answer the question. I stand on the fifth. There was a spot that we called “Dead Tree Camp” for obvious reasons.  I wouldn’t in any way want to suggest that it is okay.

It’s amazing to me how most backpackers – in my experience – don’t even think about this question when pitching a tent. They religiously filter water, but pitch under a tree with a giant dead hanging limb.

Here in Colorado at least, most blowdown happens in winter. When you camp around standing dead in the summer, the odds are in your favor. How you act upon that knowledge is up to you and your own personal tolerance for risk.

I’m personally somewhat aggressive when it comes to campsite selection. A quick triage can reveal whether or not the nearby dead trees are a clear and present danger. I’d guess that I alter my tent site plans because of trees maybe 20% of the time.

Good question, though. Maybe I’ll take detailed notes about dead trees and site selection this summer.

Thanks my friend. Good points.

Exactly. Other than exposure, it’s statistically your greatest danger.

Try finding a campsite in the Sierra as part of a trail crew!  We spent about an hour on one trip last summer in Desolation Wilderness looking for a spot where we could set up three tents, no snags, 😂

Exactly. Other than exposure, it’s statistically your greatest danger.

I’m pretty sure that here in Colorado, most people die in falls. I’m not minimizing the risk of falling trees, and I try very hard to avoid camping near a dead tree. But I very rarely hear about someone actually being injured or killed that way. I suspect that the vast majority of trees fall on very windy days.

This is going to sound really stupid, but when I packed a tent I really didn’t pay attention to dead trees or dead limbs above my site.  Hammocking changed my awareness completely and now I look around carefully for both myself and my companions.  The current and planned weather also play a part in where this falls in my “what to watch for” list.  You could drive yourself crazy trying to identify every fall risk you walk near on a 12-15 mile day.