Shelter for rain in the dese

No, tent stakes are not very useful. You will, however, need to anchor things down ‘freestanding’ or not, as this is spring time and winds are the norm. Especially with a squally forecast.

½” is significant precip, especially as it is often delivered swiftly. Dry sandy washes can turn to torrents in minutes.

Really the type of shelter is a personal preference, as long as it is stable in strong gusts and goes to the ground all around. Desert wind /rain events comes from all directions forcefully. A carefully arranged tarp based on current conditions can easily become a wind tunnel full of driving rain.

Bring plenty of line to tie out to bushes and boulders, or to bury sand filled stuff sacks as anchors.

The Maze especially offer an abundance of protected rock shelters, either as a stand alone solution or to help a tent face the elements.

Currently forecasted 90% 1/4 inch Monday night 90% 1/2 inch Tuesday.

7 1/2 foot by 9 1/2 foot blue plastic tarp and 100′ cord?

I have a pyramid shelter but I don’t want to bring it because I don’t expect to achieve 4 solid anchors for the corners.

Steep and Cheap has the BA Seedhouse 1 on markdown at 57% off for $119.68. More of a semi-freestanding tent, but way better than a trekking pole tent or tarp.

Steep and Cheap has the BA Seedhouse 1 on markdown at 57% off for $119.68. More of a semi-freestanding tent, but way better than a trekking pole tent or tarp.

Not sure I agree. Unless they’ve changed the Seedhouse 1 since I bought mine back in ’08 or ’09, the thing requires eleven (yes!) stakes for a taut pitch. That’s gonna be a real pain if you’re tying off to rocks and stuff.

There’s always plenty of rocks in the West. Not all that hard to tie off to them.

Bring some cheap durable bags, fill then up with rocks then tie em off

if its yr main anchor points make sure u got 30-50 lbs of rocks at each point

;)

Gee, I must hike in the wrong deserts. I always find places where stakes can be used. Often I bring snow stakes or Easton stakes and sometimes have to use them as “dead man” stakes.

With a rain forecast of 90% and 1/4″ to 1/2″ of rain, I’d bring a mid, actually I’d bring a Trailstar. Desert weather changes quickly, and floods can occur from runoff far, far away. 1/2″ forecast can turn into a short 2″ deluge. It’s springtime and hellacious winds are often the norm, not the exception.

It’s all about site selection. Sheltered locations are your friend. Camp where the wind is lighter. Use big rocks to hold your stakes.

Leaving tonight. I put my old black diamond mega mid in the car just in case, but not planning on carrying it. Currently weighing in at 36 pounds including 7 days food and 1 1/2 gallons of water. So about 16 pound base. Included is a 5×8 blue plastic tarp and some cord. Counting on finding some natural shelter. I am carrying a bivvy sack.

Thanks for the help, see you on the other side.

(Driving 1700 miles to hike 70.)