ITTOG
Well-known member
Good job bringing it back to campsites.
campsite pics..lets see um
- Thread starter beerhiker
- Start date
welikecamping2
Member
So. There is a cautionary tale here. It was a weekend with my daughter in the woods. Forecast was around 60% chance rain.
Beautiful day exploring a lava tube and setting up camp
A nice flat spot down at the end of a spur road. We expected perhaps an afternoon shower or two..
Wasn't bad that afternoon. Later on in the evening, listening to NOAA we found there was a major cell pretty much right over us. Thunder and lightning started clapping all about us. Hits were so close I made everyone abandon the shelter and move into my truck for about an hour until the intensity died. That flat spot down the spur road? Well, that is right where all the water drained down that road and made an large pool right where the tents were. I was in the green tent and fortunately had a cot as I slept over two inches of water. Kids and wife were fine in the other tent. In the morning, we assessed the situation and I decided to move to the other side of the road, where there was better drainage, and set the camp for heavy weather properly...
Of course, it didn't rain that night and it was a beautiful starry sky. The moral of this story is when tent camping in the forest, pay attention to the terrain, weather and camp placement. Probably my worst camping experience with weather, but way better than ANY day at the office.
Beautiful day exploring a lava tube and setting up camp
A nice flat spot down at the end of a spur road. We expected perhaps an afternoon shower or two..
Wasn't bad that afternoon. Later on in the evening, listening to NOAA we found there was a major cell pretty much right over us. Thunder and lightning started clapping all about us. Hits were so close I made everyone abandon the shelter and move into my truck for about an hour until the intensity died. That flat spot down the spur road? Well, that is right where all the water drained down that road and made an large pool right where the tents were. I was in the green tent and fortunately had a cot as I slept over two inches of water. Kids and wife were fine in the other tent. In the morning, we assessed the situation and I decided to move to the other side of the road, where there was better drainage, and set the camp for heavy weather properly...
Of course, it didn't rain that night and it was a beautiful starry sky. The moral of this story is when tent camping in the forest, pay attention to the terrain, weather and camp placement. Probably my worst camping experience with weather, but way better than ANY day at the office.
deserteagle56
Adventurer
That's true not just for tent camping and in all terrain, not just forest.
I live in the desert and the silliest thing I see is people setting up camp in a dry wash because it is free of brush and fairly level. It can also become a river from rain falling many miles away. And if I'm camped way back in some sketchy terrain and the Weather Service forecasts a wet storm moving in I make sure I get out of there to where there is a solid road.
Camp near the Tri-corner area where Nevada, Idaho, and Utah come together. For those who like camping away from everybody and the Dark Sky experience, this is the area for you. Many miles to the nearest decent road...and many more miles to the nearest town.
welikecamping2
Member
I live in the desert as well and I totally agree, besides the best tree cover is on the bank, not in the wash. I have my own story about camping in a wash....to follow.
welikecamping2
Member
My first ATV Jamboree in 2011. This jamboree in Arizona is/was held every September in Eager, AZ. Participants were allowed to camp at the rodeo grounds on the edge of town. I checked in and found myself a very nice spot on the outside edge of the loop.
I was early that day and after setting up, I decided to ride the quadbike into town for some provisions...
See how nice and flat my spot was? I was new at RV camping and about to learn some life-lessons....
In July of 2011, the Wallow fire in the White Mountains was finally contained This fire burned over 538000 acres in the mountains just to the south of me. See those nice white puffy clouds....While getting provisions, a localized thunderstorm hit. It was just a quick, passing storm. When I got back to camp I find this:
Um, yep. Trashed the awning on the MIL's RV. Somebody's gonna have to pay for that....
So, I worked on "fixing the awning", which was more or less trying to get it retracted into the holder. Afterwards, I decided to take a nap.
The storm clouds were building to the south.. but a rainbow seemed auspicious.
Couple of hours later, I awoke to a roar seeing this looking out the side doors
Fortunately, there were plenty of people around to help drag me out of the flood. I was able to reset elsewhere
After that hell, I just wanted to close up shop and get drunk.
To add insult to injury, at the Jamboree open house that night, If I had chosen to attend, I would have won a new set of off-road tires from Discount. Locals that helped me out told me they lived there all their lives and hadn't ever seen that "wash" flooded. That was the last jamboree I attended there.
I was early that day and after setting up, I decided to ride the quadbike into town for some provisions...
See how nice and flat my spot was? I was new at RV camping and about to learn some life-lessons....
In July of 2011, the Wallow fire in the White Mountains was finally contained This fire burned over 538000 acres in the mountains just to the south of me. See those nice white puffy clouds....While getting provisions, a localized thunderstorm hit. It was just a quick, passing storm. When I got back to camp I find this:
Um, yep. Trashed the awning on the MIL's RV. Somebody's gonna have to pay for that....
So, I worked on "fixing the awning", which was more or less trying to get it retracted into the holder. Afterwards, I decided to take a nap.
The storm clouds were building to the south.. but a rainbow seemed auspicious.
Couple of hours later, I awoke to a roar seeing this looking out the side doors
Fortunately, there were plenty of people around to help drag me out of the flood. I was able to reset elsewhere
After that hell, I just wanted to close up shop and get drunk.
To add insult to injury, at the Jamboree open house that night, If I had chosen to attend, I would have won a new set of off-road tires from Discount. Locals that helped me out told me they lived there all their lives and hadn't ever seen that "wash" flooded. That was the last jamboree I attended there.
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FAW3
Adventurer
Cape Lookout National Seashore, NC.
Trip detail: https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/cape-lookout-national-seashore-obx-roamings-2023.238869/
Trip detail: https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/cape-lookout-national-seashore-obx-roamings-2023.238869/
welikecamping2
Member
Camping off the quadbike near the New Mexico Border
