Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 09:17:15 -0500
From: "Sisler, Clyde" 
Subject: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping

The only beach camping I've ever done is under a beach umbrella with a 6
pack so I hope someone can help me.

If you've got nothing but sand and nothing to tie your tent to, what's the
preferred way of securing your tent against high winds?

Campmor offers tent stakes called 'Sand Hogs', a 12" heavy steel stake.

I had been thinking about fashioning some sort of cloth buckets I could fill
with sand and bury.  Then I saw in Kabloona that Victoria Jason had attached
some sort of skirt around her tent that, I guess, she covered with sand to
keep it tied down and to prevent wind from getting underneath the tent.

Any thoughts?



Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 09:59:43 -0600
From: "R. Walker" 
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping

Personally, I use a bivy sack instead of a big tent.  But with a tent, 
you could use any long metal rod, probably would need to be at 
least 24" long, and personally, I'd just as soon carry a set of 36" 
long rods, probably aluminum or brass.  Buy at a hardware store, 
hammer a hook into one end, and be sure to bring a mallet for 
setting the stake.

Also, any weight inside the tent around the edges will help 
considerably.

Richard Walker
Houston, TX
http://www.neosoft.com/~rww/kayak_log.html



Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 09:01:45 -0600
From: Whiterabbit 
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping

IF there is ample driftwood where you are at, you can use that as an
anchor.  Attach about 6 - 8' lines on your tent's tie out locations.  Find
pieces of driftwood at least 2 inches in diameter and 2 feet long.  Tie the
lines around the driftwood and bury them.   Do at least two on the upwind
side and one on the downwind side.  If your tent doesn't have locations to
attach tie-outs, it is probably not suitable for camping in high winds.  

For true leave-no-trace, dig up the driftwood when you break camp and
remove your lines.

This approach is good for up to about 20 mile per hour winds.  Don't know
if they work in higher winds, because if the forecast is for that high, I
stay home.

In sandy location there is a trade off on campsites.  Being in a sheltered
location on the lee of the island gives you some protection from the wind,
but unless there is substantial vegetation, at the expense of sand in
everything.  Being on the windward side means less blowing sand, but the
full effect of the wind.

Mounding sand onto the bottom of your tent helps, but usually isn't necessary.




Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 08:46:43 -0800
From: Dave Kruger 
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping

Richard's idea is a cheap and practical one.  

If you have any metalworking skills, you might take a look at a "snow
fluke," a device climbers use to anchor in soft snow, and fabricate half a
dozen replicas with centrally-located holes to anchor tie-off ropes to. 
Note the fluke must maintain the correct "attitude" in the sand, or pulling
on it will extract it from the sand.  The commercial versions I have seen
(and owned, long ago) had a cable lashup which kept the correct angle.

- -- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR



Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 09:26:24 -0800
From: Bob Tellefson 
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping

The Sand Hogs are excellent but heavy.  I carry 6 of them for securing my
tent or lean-to/sunscreen on sandy beaches.  A few months back they were
well tested when I landed on a sandy beach, chased in by gale force winds.
I staked my tent in dry sand and slept through the noise of 50 knt gusts
only to be awakened by the silence of the wind dying early the next
morning.  It was well worth the extra weight.

Before the Sand Hogs, I would often use plastic handled shopping bags like
those used in grocery stores.  They are easy to carry, have amazing tensile
strength and are great for hauling out the trash or dirty laundry.  A half
dozen of these fit in the palm of your hand.  I often wonder how the world
got by without them.

Bob Tellefson
Santa Barbara Kayak Assocation
http://www.sbka.org
805-683-9717



Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 10:42:48 -0700
From: Philip Wylie 
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping

> Purchase  'Snow Pegs', I have  found them successful in sand and in very
> high winds. However, damming the foundation floor of your tent is still
> a wise idea:
> a.)   for the sake of keeping wind from lifting under the floor
> b.)   for water run off from the perimeter area of one's tent.
>
> One should still be wise in their selected choice of a camping area.
> Constructing a modest windbreak from drift wood is a nice thing to do
> especially if you are trying to cook in high winds.
>
> Snow pegs are made of 1/8" aluminum tapered and perforated with lightening
> holes and bent longitudinally in a half circle for added strength and 
> grip in the sand or snow. They are great for hiking because of the reduced 
> weight and should be available at Mountain Equipment Co- Op or Totem 
> Outfitters. There is a great stocking stuffer you missed this Xmas.

If you are interested in valuable camping & survival tips I encourage allto
check out the following URL which contains Dr. Andre-Francios Bourbeau
Primitive Skills-Group. The archieves are worth exploring.


http://pages.infinit.net/@@z7ia5RcAC0QQcivZ/afb/priskar1.htm

Best Regards & Happy New Year,

Philip Wylie




Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 09:44:43 -0800 (PST)
From: Barbara Kossy 
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping

More than once I've tied my tent to my kayak on windy sandy beaches.

Barbara

* -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * --*--*--*--
             Sea Kayak Italia - Elba, Italy
            http://www.seakayakitaly.com
      tel.  650-728-8720  fax 650-728-8753
* -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- * -- *--* --*--



Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 15:18:08 +0000
From: "BRADFORD R. CRAIN" 
Subject: [Paddlewise] beach camping

     Here are some techniques that have worked well in the past, but 
were never tested in a severe storm (which is probably why they 
worked): 
     Have a 4-season tent, with strong poles and aerodynamic design.
     Stake the tent down with large sticks; pound them into the sand
     with rocks. Don't use those little metal stakes that come with the 
     tent (ignore your friends who accuse you of over-kill).
     Try to tie your tent to logs or rocks for additional anchoring.
     This requires bringing lots of nylon line or small diameter rope.
     Stash your kayak in the woods if possible, and tie it down.
     Kayaks love to blow around. You might need it later.
     Sleep with your head toward the surf. That way your head
     gets wet before your entire sleeping bag does. You may also
     wake up from the sound of water lapping by your ears before
     your tent gets flooded.
     Try to camp behind a windblock if possible.  Let your friends
     camp between you and the surfline. 
     Brad  
**********************************************************************
Bradford R. Crain                             
Dept. of Mathematics                          Phone: (503) 725-3127
Portland State Univ.                          FAX:   (503) 725-3661  
P.O. Box 751
Portland, Or. 97207
**********************************************************************



Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 19:14:37 -0500
From: Gabriel L Romeu 
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping

A simple, light and easy to store solution are frisbees with small holes
in the center, fender washers and some extra line- these may be buried
and provid a reasonable anchor.  Of course have an extra one, preferably
a glow in the dark for evening play.
You can also bury ballast rocks... 

- -- 
gabriel l romeu
http://members.aol.com/romeug     studio furniture
http://members.aol.com/romeugp    paintings, photos, prints, etc.
http://members.xoom.com/gabrielR  a daily photo journal



Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 19:44:44 +0000
From: Michael Neverdosky 
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping

Remember to tie up your kayak.
How many stories have we heard of people waking up and finding
their kayak gone?

As Sinbad would say, "Trust in Allah, but tie your kayak." (sic)

If you are going to the ends of the Earth, you might also want to
take a pair of earplugs. After a day or two of listening to a screaming
wind a break can be very nice. :-))

michael



Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 21:00:51 EST
From: Barbdoerr
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Re: Beach Camping

Be sure to get far enough back from the high tide line.................



Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 22:43:42 -0500 (EST)
From: Paul Hollerbach 
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach camping

A few season's ago there was a "Trailside" episode with Bardy Jones where
he & the host were in folders sailing in the Bahamas. John showed a slice
cut from a polyethylene paint or spackling compound bucket which had teeth
on one edge and a hole drilled in for the line. He first used it as a
trowel to dig a small hole in the sand, then buried it with the teeth up
and at a diagonal. Seemed like a cleverly simple sand stake, cheap and
effective.

~PH



Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 22:42:54 EST
From: Tomckayak
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping

In a message dated 12/28/98 10:03:55 AM Pacific Standard Time,
bkossy@ writes:

<< More than once I've tied my tent to my kayak on windy sandy beaches.
 
 Barbara >>

This does not work well if kayak is empty. 

Sorry if I am stating the obvious.



Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 23:00:57 EST
From: WildConect
Subject: [Paddlewise] beach camping

Couple of things I learned from my coast of Georgia trip last spring--
1.  A tarp to spread out on the ground helps to control the sand (sand
management).  We would spread out a tarp and unload the gear from our kayaks
on to it at days end.  Great way to organize for camp.  We would also put our
gear on a tarp in the morning to sort and load into our boats.  Used the same
tarp to cook on too.  Really worked well to keep the sand where it belongs and
not in our food.
2.  A large mesh bag to load all those little dry sacks into was invaluable,
especially when arriving at low tide and having quite a haul beyond high tide
mark.
3.  Sand tent camping--all the previous suggestions are good.  I've also used
aluminium pie pans and buried them in snow--same with sand.  Drilled two holes
in center of pan, threaded a piece of 4 mm (3 mm will work too) cord
through--long enough so it is above ground--then tied my guy line to it.  In
snow and sand, I always go over kill on guying out my tent.  That is, if there
is a guy line attachment, I use it.

Have Fun!

John Browning
Milwaukee, Wisconsin



Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 22:46:54 EST
From: Johnlebl
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping

Tying up one's boat is so fundamental that we sometimes take it that all know
this.  A grounded boat is NOT tied!

This reminds me of a duck hunting trip one day.  When my two hunting buddies
and I returned to where our 16 foot flat bottomed boat was pulled up on the
salt grass AND anchored, another hunter was there waiting.

As we approached, he asked if I could take him to get his boat.  Thinking he
had walked quite a ways from it hunting (salt marsh grass makes easy walking
with teh lay, but tough against it) I said sure, where is it?  He pointed
across the lake about a mile across and said over there I think the wind blew
it away.

I inwardly laughed to myself and agreed to take him while my partners waited.
There was not enough room for all four of us in teh boat.  As I got ready to
relaunch my boat, I went to retreive the anchor about 30 feet into teh grass.
He asked me "what is that for?"    I told him "to keep MY boat from floating
away!"  Duhhhhhhhh!  Some people never learn.

Always TIE your boat.  If you ever canoe or raft teh lower canyons of the Rio
Grande between Texas adn Mexico, at night tie your boats with at least 60 feet
of rope adn tie it to a rock UP the canyon wall.  A thunderstorm hundreds of
miles away can dmp enough water to run down the side canyons from a hundred
miles away.  You will never know it, but during the night you will awaken with
just enough time to grab sleeping bag and haul ass up the rocks of the canyon
wall to save your own sleepy but now wide awake butt.  Never mind enough time
to retrieve canoes up there also.  They will survive at the end of their
tether.

Tie your boat and tie it well.  Good is not enough.

John LeBlanc



Date: Mon, 28 Dec 1998 21:41:25 -0700
From: Philip Wylie 
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Beach Camping

Moreover, be sure not to camp to close to the shoreline where possible.
How many tents have I seen washed away because they had to be abandoned
in an emergency. One, plus three near floodings or washaways from having
camped too close without consideration of the tide line and moon phase.
I saw one tent washed up into a surge channel still intact with all the
poles and remnants inside..which tent discovery was over a year old.
Somebody goofed. Howling winds off the pacific on Vancouver Island
is reason enough for the vast ship graveyard that lays off her shores.

I like Sinbad for his saying but to camp too close to the shore line
is to sin bad.

Cheers,

Philip



Date: Fri, 1 Jan 1999 21:26:17 -0600
From: "Larry and Janell Koenig" 
Subject: [Paddlewise] beach camping

When it is necessary to stake out  in the sand a line that will be under 
a lot of tension such as one holding up a fly, I usually use a deadman - 
a stake turned sideways and buried about 16" with the line running 
through a hole drilled in the middle of an aluminum stake that is itself 
"T" shaped in crossection.  I've tried wide sand hog type stakes and 
found them to be quite heavy and less secure against pulling out.  
Lighter "sand stakes" are made and work well for just staking out a 
tent.
Being able to keep sand out of the tent and cooking area has become 
pretty easy with the use of a designated tarp to unload gear onto just 
at the entrance to the tent.  That tarp with its corners weighted down 
then becomes a sand free area for cooking etc.  At the front of the tent 
( or side of the tarp) goes a collapsible fabric "washbasin" half full 
of water to dip feet into before entering the tent or treading on the 
sand free sanctum.  Folks I've paddled with have extended the sand free 
concept to include walkways between tents or to a boat.  It makes for an 
easy effective way to keep grit out of gear.  When cooking it is 
sometimes useful to have one person designated as "clean" and another as 
the sandy "gopher" to facilitate the fetching of things to the cooking 
area. 
I have been accused of being anal re. my avoidance of sand but:  It's 
good to keep your cockpit covered to keep out blown sand.(But be sure to 
leave no foodlike stuff in the cockpit lest small rodents eat through 
your cokpit cover to get at it.)  It is good to wipe out the inside of 
your cockpit with a damp sponge before paddling to get out any stray 
grains that might abrade your knees, thihgs, lower back ...  It is 
useful to have a freestanding tent that can be "shook out " when 
breaking camp to rid it of sand before packing up.  It is useful to get 
back in the dunes if possible to avoid auditory and tactile overload 
from the wind.  Let there be no hint of sand in the ferrule area of a 
break down paddle when it's assembled - a wash of the connecting 
surfaces in the water before assembly suffices.

Larry Koenig