Please excuse my ignorance, but as I only started camping in July, and have only been a total of 4 times, can somebody please explain what the hell is a dry pack up?
Camped only three times this year, but 28 nights under canvas. One pack up in snow (thankfully it was thawing by the afternoon), one in fine sunny but windy weather and one in really hot weather.
First was the Jubilee week - weather got so bad we actually packed up a day early and went home. There were Amber Gale warnings for Brixham so to avoid a trashed tent we thought we would make a tactical retreat. 1st time EVER!
However the middle one was a whole week in far NW Scotland where we had wall to wall sunshine, dry weather and so hot we swam in the sea in August - in NW Scotland!!! Amazing - however, it poured down the morning we packed up. Grrrr.
Third was a one night camp in the Black Mountains. I knew it was going to be a wet morning so I was prepared. Only our small 2man tent for my son and I so not a big deal at all. It was actually not raining while we packed up the wet tent so a plus there - then it poured whilst having breakfast..
Still, who cares. We have the gear and after all it's only water.
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 23/9/2012...can somebody please explain what the hell is a dry pack up?
No ignorance at all, Mucker1884! I've never come across that turn of phrase either so it's not some mystical camping jargon term .
I presume that by "pack up" people mean striking camp (or packing their camping gear back into the car or rucksack). And presumably "dry" means doing that while it is not actually raining.
We had terrible weather jubilee week on the south coast - rained all day every day. But on the day of departure it was sunny. Couldnt believe it. Left it to the very last minute to take out Vermont xl down as its a bit of a beast and we didn't fancy putting it up in the garden. I used all the towels we had to dry the windows and take off as much dew as possible so the sun could do its work and it was bone dry. Toweled the bottom of the footprint as well, turned over and left in the sun for a bit. Was fab after being so soggy for a week.
August was the same. Pretty poor weather for 2 weeks but dry on pack up day. Didn't even need to towel the dew this time. Ground sheet / footprint were a bit muddy and I really do need to get that our and clean it but tent was bone dry.
I still have a Hi gear Porch and canopy erected in the back garden and have been there for at least a week as it just hasnt stopped raining, and even when it has it hasn't stopped long enough
Prior to this weekend, I have been camping 5 times, and have had to pitch or strike in the rain each time. In fact on two camps, I did both!!
But this weekend, we had both a dry pitch, and a dry strike!! Whoopee!
Actually, hold the "Whoopee", as it still wasn't ideal.....
Very high gusts when pitching.... slowed us down, and made for a rather nervy first pitch with a brand new shiny tent, but we got there in the end!
And, worse still, we have still brought a wet tent home... well, actually, half a wet tent!! One side and rear dried off in the glorious sunshine, but the shady (and stillvery cold) sides only just managed to drain off the ice and frost.... still wet though! :-)
Ah well, that's why we bought it..... it fits lovely in the garden,to dry it off!!!
Does anyone know where I can get a good deal on one of those new Turntable Footprints?
Dont forget to make sure the inside is completely dry as well especially around the bedrooms. With more and more tents pitching as one its easy to forget that rear/above/under the bedrooms may still be damp. We always take the bedrooms out when drying the flysheet and refit them prior to final packing away. Just got the Kampa Perran dry today before the rain came in, started just as the tent went back in the bag
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Despite heavy rain overnight, it was very windy during the day, however, it was sunny and warm.
I arranged for a late check up, with the aim to leave the camp site at 15:00h.
By the time I was ready to pack the tent, the canvas was dry! I could hardly believe my luck!!!
No need to take the canvas out to dry in the garage when I got home, which means the trailer is now packed and ready for the trip over the New Year.
DK
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Topic: how many dry pack ups this year?
Amazing - however, it poured down the morning we packed up. Grrrr.
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