Structures and Rain

Ideas, advice, tips, and tricks regarding shelter, shade, tents, and camping. Yes, this includes RV's too.
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naga brain
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Structures and Rain

Post by naga brain » Wed Feb 11, 2004 9:20 am

04 will be my second year and so far, I have organized most, if not all of the structures we had and will have for my camp (Highlab/Perpetual Dome Builders). I have heard from a number of sources, that the Playaseers have been having dreams about torrential downpours. I want to really be prepared for this. Any suggestions?

Oh... this last year we had PVC Quonset Hut style shades that were 12 feet wide and 20 feet long, a 15 foot EMT dome (which will actually work this year...and there ain't any reason why it shouldn't have this year damnt... ;) and finally we had another pitched roof EMT strucure. All were covered with gray tarp and secured with combinations of rebar, bungie cords, balls and zip ties. We also had carpets throughout.
It's about beer O'clock guys....where's my riot?

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Bob
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Post by Bob » Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:38 am

Plastic sheeting or similar groundcloth under the carpet, coolers, etc., and enough to make a path between your shelter and the car.

I sleep on a cot, btw, having (barely) survived the post-'98 storm.
Amazing desert structures & stuff: http://sites.google.com/site/potatotrap/

"Let us say I suggest you may be human." -- Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam

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naga brain
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Post by naga brain » Thu Feb 12, 2004 10:44 am

What about small burms of some sort just inside the perimeter of the tarps? Would that work or would I be running afoul of the Earth Guardians and prohibitions against digging?

Yeah I bought one of those air mattress and cot combos. So I am off the ground too.
It's about beer O'clock guys....where's my riot?

robotland
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Post by robotland » Thu Feb 12, 2004 10:51 am

You could make fake berms by rolling the tarp under, or stuffing tubes of pipe insulation in there, or thick rope.....bear in mind that a berm or ridge would keep water in as well as out.
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Bob
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Post by Bob » Fri Feb 13, 2004 9:54 pm

The playa isn't absolutely level, so I suppose if there were a strong forecast of rain, you might look for a high spot to pitch your tent. I'd also suppose that, during the week, the shaded spot under a structure would tend to swell slightly due to respiration, spilt beer, etc., and mound up ever so slightly higher in relation to the surrounding desiccated ground -- of course, the effect would reverse in an intense drenching rainfall, and that's why some of my friends bring pallets, plywood, or trailers. Something to think about... maybe...

In any case, most summer rainfall is very light, such that a tarp extending a few inches out from a tent should keep the interior dry.
Amazing desert structures & stuff: http://sites.google.com/site/potatotrap/

"Let us say I suggest you may be human." -- Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam

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Post by gravy » Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:04 am

naga brain wrote:Yeah I bought one of those air mattress and cot combos. So I am off the ground too.
hey naga...

where did you get the airmattress/cot combo? how much is it? does the cot breakdown for easy packing? full size? queen size?

thx,
gravy
freaky deaky con queso en la villa de la frijoles

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naga brain
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cot/matress combo

Post by naga brain » Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:34 am

Grav--

Sent you a PM on it because well... I don't know why. I think it's because of the advertising issue.

Anyone else can PM me too.
It's about beer O'clock guys....where's my riot?

gravy
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Post by gravy » Wed Feb 18, 2004 12:01 pm

its in your inbox...naga
freaky deaky con queso en la villa de la frijoles

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Re: cot/matress combo

Post by gravy » Wed Feb 18, 2004 12:03 pm

naga brain wrote:Grav--

Sent you a PM on it because well... I don't know why. I think it's because of the advertising issue.

Anyone else can PM me too.
think it went to my addy..sorry.

thx for the info...

was it actually a cot/mattress combo or did you buy it seperately? and
was it a coleman? sorry for all the questions...its a great idea. I
used to have an air mattress for car camping and it was the shit.

gravy
freaky deaky con queso en la villa de la frijoles

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