It could have been me writing that first post! Exactly the same situation! New tent, first camping trip and worried about the damage the wind may cause. We'll be a bit further south in East Lothian.
We're supposed to be pitching tomorrow afternoon. The wind according to netweather is 25MPH with gusts at about 38MPH. By 7PM the wind is due to be down to 22MPH with gust at 34MPH.
We could enquire about delaying the 2 nights by a day. Wind speed would be about 18MPH with gusts of 28MPH on Saturday.
At the minute it looks like our trip is going to be at most Sat night only unless the wind drops early enough Fri evening.
I've been out in the park over the back of my house to experience the gusts we have now, around 25-30mph according to netweather, (which are meant to increase to 40-50mph tonight) to get some idea of what we'd be facing on Saturday.
The more reviews I've read of my tent, the more I think it would be OK if I pitched it correctly....however, my record of getting it right first time is, well, grim !
All the best sk77 whatever you decide.
It's not really your tents ability to function in wind that is the main problem...breakages and twisted poles often occur pitching or striking in the wind. This is when your tent is subjected to the most stress and torque. Once pitched it is far more stable.
January - Red Squirrel
February - Red Squirrel
March - Gimme Shelter
April - Elie
May - Noah's Ark
May - Riverside, Skipton
May - Blair Castle
June - Braithwaite Bridges
July - The Star
July - Witches Craig
July - Scone
August - Highburn House
September - Gimme Shelter
Quote: Originally posted by naepace on 14/9/2012
Elie, formerly known as Shell Bay.....pity it wasn't Sheltered Bay
Well it's much calmer here this morning so you may well get away. Ellie is on the coast. Why don't you give them a wee ring and see how it is there.
------------- 2015 Trips
January - Red Squirrel
February - Red Squirrel
March - Gimme Shelter
April - Elie
May - Noah's Ark
May - Riverside, Skipton
May - Blair Castle
June - Braithwaite Bridges
July - The Star
July - Witches Craig
July - Scone
August - Highburn House
September - Gimme Shelter
Here's what the Met Office for West Wales says: Saturday, mainly dry, with variable cloud and amounts and bright or sunny spells. There may be a few spots of light rain in the west where cloud thickens. Maximum temperature 18 °C
Here's the Met Office mountain forecast for Snowdonia on Saturday; a largely dry and bright day with sunny spells and lighter winds, maximum winds above 500m will be 20mph
Note, the wind may be rather less lower down.
Here is the Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) forecast for Snowdonia today (note this refers to the mountains) Westerly, dawn up to 45mph, slow decrease to 30mph by dusk.
In summary, it will quite breezy today in Wales, less so tomorrow, winds possibly picking up again into next week.
Shell Island is a notoriously windy spot.
Only you can decide. Personally, I'd not be deterred by winds of Force 4 (gusting Force 5 or 6) but I am used to camping in windy weather and my tents are small.
Cheers SC but I am a long way from Wales, it's Shell Bay in Elie, Fife It has calmed down a lot here in Perth, I'm gonna give the site a call later in the afternoon when the red & amber (netweather) winds are forecast to subside.
------------- Faskally Sept 2012
Tayview July 2013
Aberfeldy July 2013
Well we tried. Had to abort the trip in the end. We held off until around 7 o'clock hoping for the wind to drop but it wasn't going to happen. Watching another family damage their tent trying to pitch it confirmed we should cut our losses. Thought we might give it another go today but it is windier than ever along the coast a bit at mums. Kids are gutted, but we'll give it a go next weekend....weather permitting ! Elie looks like a great site too....what we seen of it !
------------- Faskally Sept 2012
Tayview July 2013
Aberfeldy July 2013
I'm surprised more campers in the U.K. haven't heard of the South African heavy duty canvas Bow Tents. They withstand winds of 100kph. Check out Campmor tents on Google.
------------- If there's no camping in heaven. I'm not going!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Wind - Should we or shouldn`t we ?
It has calmed down a lot here in Perth, I'm gonna give the site a call later in the afternoon when the red & amber (netweather) winds are forecast to subside.
