How much rain does it take to ruin camping? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

alltherage · 06-10-2009, 10:10 AM

We've had a camping trip planned for a couple weeks, weather permitting, and now it looks like there is going to be some rain.

We are camping in tents, and can set up tarps etc, but we had a terrible experience last year in the rain and want to avoid it.

What are your suggestions?

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/caab0177

Friday - Isolated Showers, +21 high, 40%POP, close to 1mm of rain
Saturday - Isolated Showers, +23 high, 30%POP, close to 1mm of rain
Sunday - Isolated Showers, +19 high, 60%POP, close to 10mm of rain

We will be leaving Sunday Morning...

FlamesKickAss · 06-10-2009, 10:13 AM

The only day that looks crappy based on those forecasts is Sunday anyways.

Based on that I would still head out camping

habernac · 06-10-2009, 10:14 AM

you're leaving on the worst day, I'd go anyway.

Hack&Lube · 06-10-2009, 10:14 AM

You just have to pretend that you are all Les Straub and build your own rain shelters and start your own fires without matches or lighters and have no food with you but what you catch. It'll be an awesome adventure!

Peanut · 06-10-2009, 10:19 AM

Ughhhh... we're supposed to be going this weekend too. I'm crossing my fingers that the forecast will get better. Rain + tenting = no fun.

troutman · 06-10-2009, 10:22 AM

When a weather forecast says there is a 40% chance of rain, does that mean it will rain 40% of the time that day, or that there is a 40% chance that it will rain at all?

FlamesKickAss · 06-10-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

When a weather forecast says there is a 40% chance of rain, does that mean it will rain 40% of the time that day, or that there is a 40% chance that it will rain at all?

to the best of my knowledge thats the answer

I am hoping you meant to have green text though

burn_baby_burn · 06-10-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

When a weather forecast says there is a 40% chance of rain, does that mean it will rain 40% of the time that day, or that there is a 40% chance that it will rain at all?

40% chance that it will rain. I don't get excited until I see 80% plus.

GGG · 06-10-2009, 10:27 AM

I don't mind camping in the rain as long as it doesn't pour all day but if it is cloudy and spitting all day I am fine.

Couple of key things is bring dry clothes and blankets that you keep in the car incase your tent leaks and soaks everything. Have a good free standing tarp set up so you can keep your picnic table dry. Bring proper waterproof footwhere and rain gear. And bring or buy dry firewood and keep it dry.

So I say go if you get one nice day out of the deal I think it is worth it.

alltherage · 06-10-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

When a weather forecast says there is a 40% chance of rain, does that mean it will rain 40% of the time that day, or that there is a 40% chance that it will rain at all?

Quote:

P.O.P. stands for "Probability of Precipitation." It does not predict when, where or how much precipitation will occur. When a weather service issues a forecast calling for rain, it is usually followed by a probability.

For example: "P.O.P. 60%." This expression means there is a 60% chance
that any random place in the forecast area, such as your home, will receive measurable rainfall. Measurable rainfall means at least 0.2 mm of rain or the water equivalent of snow.

- Weather.ca

DESS · 06-10-2009, 10:34 AM

That's not a bad forecast for camping. You'll be glad you went versus doing your typical weekend thing which probably isn't all that memorable.

alltherage · 06-10-2009, 10:41 AM

Yeah... like I said, we had a terrible experience last year.

We knew it was going to rain a bit, worse than this forecast suggests, but we still went.

Friday evening it was partly cloudy and warm. It was nice the whole drive out, but sure as spit the first drop hit the windsheild as we came around the bend to our campsite. We set up everything in the pouring rain, which was a terrible experience. The tarps were really hard to set up with the rain and wind and everything, but we still tried. When we were done setting up, we were totally soaked, and the tarps weren't draining properly. We went out to find a support post, and found a sludgey, heavy, drenched log from a swamp to use. We stuck it up, and it actually did the job OK.

The next day was rainy all day, and we just got hammered. When night came, a storm actually came around, and tore our campsite apart. The sludgey, heavy log was blown out from under the tarp, and smoked my forearm. It was pain like no other, i was hammered, drenched, angry, and it just overall sucked.

We want to avoid a similar experience like the plague.

burn_baby_burn · 06-10-2009, 10:45 AM

Thirty or forty percent chance of isolated showers is pretty low probability of rain. That being said, the weather can change in the blink of an eye. That forecast could be completely different tomorrow. Either that rain on Sunday could show up early or not at all. There is always a risk when you go camping. Things for the most part have been pretty dry so far this year. I would assume that trend will continue.

FlamesAddiction · 06-10-2009, 10:45 AM

It only take a little rain to ruin camping for me. I hate camping unless the conditions are perfect. I tree planted for a couple of summers and after that, camping was just never the same.

Locke · 06-10-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alltherage

Yeah... like I said, we had a terrible experience last year.

We knew it was going to rain a bit, worse than this forecast suggests, but we still went.

Friday evening it was partly cloudy and warm. It was nice the whole drive out, but sure as spit the first drop hit the windsheild as we came around the bend to our campsite. We set up everything in the pouring rain, which was a terrible experience. The tarps were really hard to set up with the rain and wind and everything, but we still tried. When we were done setting up, we were totally soaked, and the tarps weren't draining properly. We went out to find a support post, and found a sludgey, heavy, drenched log from a swamp to use. We stuck it up, and it actually did the job OK.

The next day was rainy all day, and we just got hammered. When night came, a storm actually came around, and tore our campsite apart. The sludgey, heavy log was blown out from under the tarp, and smoked my forearm. It was pain like no other, i was hammered, drenched, angry, and it just overall sucked.

We want to avoid a similar experience like the plague.

Heres your problem: Stop camping in Swamps!

DESS · 06-10-2009, 11:02 AM

How far away from Calgary are you camping? Just go home if it sucks. There's no rule that says you have to stay if you're not having fun.

alltherage · 06-10-2009, 11:03 AM

Locke: It was all that was available!!

HOOT · 06-10-2009, 11:04 AM

There is no such thing!

$30 for a tarp, $10 for rope, $0 for trees to string it up.

troutman · 06-10-2009, 11:12 AM

Luxury.

4X4 slept on a tiny island in the snow, with no tent or sleeping bag!

Locke · 06-10-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Luxury.

4X4 slept on a tiny island in the snow, with no tent or sleeping bag!

Facedown in the creek too!

All FKA needed was a small dirt pile to lay his head on!