Hiking in high winds is something I’ve seen several times on the PCT and CDT. Gusts push you sideways, or even tries to rotate you as it pushes on your backpack. If the winds are bad enough, when you feel the gust hit, you have to stop and brace yourself until it subsides or you might end up pushed off the trail. I think my worst experience hiking was on the CDT near Lincoln, MT (MT 200) where I had to stop every minute or so when a gust hit to brace. I have hiked and heard a tree or two fall down nearby, but never several, but I’ve never been in a recent burn zone in high winds which would not a good place to be. Trying to wear a hat is a fool’s game. Even if the straps will keep it on, the brim will be flapping and pushed up where it offers no sun protection.
Camping in wind is one of the reasons I’ve always favored tarps. Rectangular ones can be pitched wide and low to ground, though you’ll have to crawl in. Pyramid shaped ones do shed wind but not as well as going almost flat. I’ve used both and in recent years have favored the pyramid ones more due to the ease to setup (currently a MLD Cricket). I’ve never used the long stakes as usually piling on a large rock or several small ones (or a log) will keep the stakes from pulling out, even in sand. Finding a sheltered site in a small group of live trees, in tall brush, or the leeward side of a boulder can shelter you from the worst of the wind. I’ve never chosen to camp in an exposed spot above treeline where I couldn’t find something to hold the stakes in. And due to thunderstorms, I rarely chose to camp in such an exposed environment to begin with. Better to take a side trail or easy scramble down to a lower spot that is more sheltered. On the CDT in Colorado, I went down almost a mile on a steep ATV side trail to get out of the strong wind and it was a good thing given I had an overnight thunderstorm that started with a heavy downpour, went to hail, and then several inches of snow during the night.
