Has anyone tested their Icarus 500 in such conditions. I don't know whether to risk taking it next week or take the Oregan 5.
It's going to be very windy in Penzance forecast says wind gusts of 46km/h and 57km/h. This is on and off during the week. Sunday when we arrive it's about 17km/h , not great but hopefully ok. Tuesday looks horrendous with wind speeds of 45km/h and gusts of up to 61km/h
Ah well, just have to get on with it, was wondering if anyone had tested their Icarus against such strong winds and can tell me how it performed.
Oregan stood up well to gale force winds last year, but I am bothered about one of the poles. I would prefer to take the Icarus for us both, but I haven't tested it against such bad conditions. Don't want to be stranded down the SW with broken poles. My sister only gets one holiday a year bless her and I don't want it ruined for her. Any advice would be welcome.
Have you got room in the car to take both tents? If so, you'd have the peace of mind of knowing that if the worst came to the worst (and let's hope it doesn't) and one of your tents got wind damaged you could always fall back on the other immediately.
Hasn't the Icarus got the TBS system? I've never camped in a Vango but I understand that the TBS is really good in tunnel tents re helping maintain stability in windy conditions.
I'm due to go to Cornwall myself tomorrow and, exactly the same as you, am looking at the weather forecast and dithering about which tent to take
------------- Tackling life the Western District way
We have the Icarus 500 and have camped in what can be considered windy conditions, on an open hillsdide.
I did post a thread a couple of months ago as we experianced some problems. The basic outcome was, pitch side on to the wind. Rear on just does not work in this tent as it buckles under the wind. Link below 'should' take you to the thread. There is another thread posted by someone else who has experianced the same problem.
Thanks everyone for the replies. Knocker 30, the link to the thread was very informative and I'm really grateful for you posting it. Merry, for once, as OH packed, I think I could get both tents in, however, I will still have to decide which one I start with. I think I'll go for the Oregan, it's a much bigger pack size but stood up well. The Icarus is a smaller pack size and I think I will take it as insurance. I have a Kyham Sherpa 4, but it's not standing height and my days of crawling about tents are done. If it was up to me I would take the Elzas I bought a couple of months ago. I love it and OH has replaced all the rubbers and put in line Loks for me. However, my sister does not like it at all, as it's her one and only holiday a year I'm going to abide by her decision. We wouldn't be having this conversation if we could take the Elzas. The Vango Albany I have camped in has always stood up well. Thinking about it, I have always been pitched side on to winds and the TBS system has worked well. It's a shame such bad winds are forecast, I wouldn't worry half as much if it was just me, but this camping holiday each year means so much to my sister.
Cheers for all the good advice. What would we all do without this Forum for helping us camp safely and happily?
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Topic: Icarus 500 in very windy conditions
