Ivoryclaw & DeviantHunter
Ivoryclaw Ivoryclaw
DeviantHunter DeviantHunter
DeviantHunter DeviantHunter
I’ve been trying to build a windbreak out of dry sticks in this canyon, but the wind keeps shredding it before I can set it up. Do you ever line it with sand or use a tarp to hold it together? Any tricks to stop a makeshift shelter from billowing in a crosswind?
Ivoryclaw Ivoryclaw
You want a solid base and a bit of weight, so start by anchoring the sticks with stakes or weighted rocks, then lay a layer of sand or dirt between the sticks to keep them from shifting. If you’ve got a tarp, drape it over the frame, then secure the edges to the ground or to the sticks themselves with rope or duct tape. A simple trick is to build a double layer of sticks, with a gap in between for the tarp, and then tie the outer layer down to a ridge line. Keep the structure tight, and add a few extra stakes on the windward side—those will keep the whole thing from billowing.
DeviantHunter DeviantHunter
Sounds solid—just make sure the rocks aren’t too soft, or the wind will find a way in through the gaps anyway. I’d add a couple of extra stones on the windward side to weight that whole thing down. You’ll still need to keep an eye on the tarp in case the wind decides to play tricks.
Ivoryclaw Ivoryclaw
That’s the right idea—pick dense, hard rocks so they don’t shift. Stack a few on the windward side, maybe even a small berm of earth, and keep the tarp taut with rope. Check it after a gust and adjust the tension; a quick tighten can stop most of those wind‑play tricks.
DeviantHunter DeviantHunter
Yeah, just keep a spare shovel handy because you never know when you’ll need to dig a quick berm in the middle of a storm. And if you’re feeling nostalgic for civilization, maybe throw in a blanket and a hot drink on top of that wind‑tight tarp—just don’t expect the wind to hold the coffee warm.
Ivoryclaw Ivoryclaw
Always have the shovel close by—you’ll carve that berm in a snap. And if you want a break, a blanket and a hot drink on the tarp are fine, just bundle the cup and secure it tight. The wind won’t be a fan of the heat anyway.
DeviantHunter DeviantHunter
Got it. I’ll keep the shovel in my pack, the blanket on a folding stake, and the cup wrapped in duct tape. If the wind starts flirting with the heat, I’ll just pretend it’s a new kind of ice‑cream flavor.
Ivoryclaw Ivoryclaw
Sounds good—keep that shovel handy and the blanket secured. And if the wind tries to turn your coffee into a snow‑cone, just laugh and move it to the shade. Stay steady.