There are, without a doubt, certain skills that will save a life when peril comes in the backcountry. Knowing CPR is awesome. Using a tourniquet is smart. Knowing how to brace a broken limb is wise. But these are all extreme examples of a good trip gone bad. It’s not to suggest that everyone shouldn’t learn these valuable skills, but before signing up for all the courses, consider this guide to learning rope angles and securing a tent in high winds.
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For those who are true novices, a guyline is a versatile and strong cord used for camping, in the military, and is a useful item to have around the house. The word actually originates from the Dutch word “gei”, which is a nautical term for a rope or cable used by sailors to secure and steady the mast on large ships. When it comes to ropes, there might not be a better group suited to teach us the ins and outs. For these purposes, when the gale winds start whipping through the canyons, putting tents and other semi-permanent structures in harm’s way, knowing our way around the guyline to stabilize a tent is paramount.
Rudimentary Physics: Why Angles Matter
There are some basic principles at play when tying down a tent. The truth is, some tents are specifically designed for extreme conditions. It also happens to be the case that when you see these tents in the environments they are designed for, they are tied down with guylines. Scan for some photos of base camps on Mt. Everest. In some of the most brutal conditions, using some of the most high-tech gear, their tents are guyed down.
A practical 4-season tent, something that can adjust between the seasons, hold up to rugged conditions, and have enough room for the whole crew or family, is a good canvas tent. It’s also necessary to tie them down in any condition. For our purposes, a canvas tent is good to consider because its simple geometric shapes are easy to describe and properly address the principles of physics we need to understand when tying a tent down.
Consider force, tension, and resistance. A basic understanding of these laws will help immensely. Imagine a game of tug-of-war, or a poorly trained dog on a leash. The leash or the rope is taught and bears no slack. This is because of the tension in the line. Tension is a force created through pulling. The resistance is the other side, either pulling against the tension or remaining unmoved as a line is pulled away. It sounds complicated, but the easiest way to understand this is to 1) Keep the line tight. And for securing a tent, 2) Anticipate slippage. Let’s take a look at how we do that.
Where to Begin: The Rule of 45
We’ve done a little homework above in our Sophomore Physics class; now let’s cover some basic geometry. Everyone should know that the strongest shape in nature is the triangle (at least in 2D frameworks). The idea for a good guyline is to find two securing points and create one side of the triangle. The other two sides of the triangle will be the tent wall and the ground, in most cases. Consider the canvas tent: It has a roof like a house and flat walls on four sides, at least for a Wall Tent, which we’re using as an example here. Following the imaginary line of the angled roof directly to the ground should be about 45 degrees. This is a good angle to secure a guyline. It directly pulls in line with the angle of the roof, and when the guyline is staked to the ground, a 45-degree angle is the most secure.
Two 4-degree angles make up a 90-degree angle. If the guyline is pulled down from the tent at 45 degrees, and the stake is hammered into the ground at 45 degrees, a 90-degree angle is formed between the stake in the ground and the guyline tracing back to the eave of the tent. It becomes the strongest angle to secure a stake in the ground. The idea is simple to remember, and 45-degree angles are easy to eyeball. They don’t require a protractor to get it right. We’ll discuss what to do if stakes aren’t possible, but for all of those examples, we’re really trying as much as possible to get to the security of that double 45-degree angle.
If Not 45, Then a Different Angle
Nature is not always perfect, and setting up a canvas tent in the wild is not the same as in your backyard. Because of that, we need to be trained and prepared to set a good, tight guyline in any condition. If a branch is too close to tie down a 45-degree angle, then something else must be done. Let’s look at some other options that will allow for the most secure tent in any climate or location. The below angles are best suited for the following circumstances:
30-degree angle:
To create maximum resistance against horizontal wind forces, a 30-degree angle reduces the upward pull on stakes that would otherwise lift from the ground. These are the best instances to use a guyline at 30 degrees.
- Soft or Sandy Soil: A lower angle will create more of a horizontal pull. This helps the stake “dig in”, as it were, instead of pulling straight up out of loose sand.
- Snow Camping: Stakes in the snow should be much longer than dirt stakes, but they also benefit from increased surface friction at a shallower angle.
- Dead-man Anchors/Beach Camping: Secure the guyline to an object and bury it as an anchor. 30 degrees maximizes the holding power of the soil.
45-degree angle:
As noted above, this is the perfect balance between horizontal and vertical forces. It distributes force evenly and equally along the stake shaft and is the optimal mechanical advantage for most tent weights and wind conditions.
- Normal/Firm Soil: This is most of the conditions that campers come across. Campsites, heavily-used BLM land, and local spots all make securing a tent pretty easy.
- Mixed Conditions: When in doubt, go with the 45 rule.
- General Canvas Tent Setup: If you have the space and nothing is inhibiting your setup, do this.
- Forest Camping: Wind can come from all directions in the forest. Having unpredictable scenarios makes it wise to use the most versatile angle.
60-degree angle:
This is getting to a steep angle, but it is good to increase the vertical component of resistance. This means that at this angle, shorter stakes will work better. This will also help prevent the downward collapse of the tent structure. But this angle should be counter-balanced on the opposing side. It will be less effective against purely horizontal winds, so tying 2:1 guylines to secure a canvas tent is a good idea. Here are some scenarios you might find yourself in, using a 60-degree angle.
- Rocky/Hard Ground: If stakes can’t be driven deep, a steeper angle will help.
- Shallow Stake Depth: If you’ve only got a few inches, the steeper angle is a stronger choice.
- Downslope Setup: When your tent is on a slope, guylines run downhill.
- Heavy Downward Snow Load: If a roof collapse is at all possible with a heavy incoming snowstorm, a steeper roof can help keep the snow from piling up.
90-degree angle:
Honestly, don’t do this. It offers no structural support and will protect against nothing. You might as well not have a guyline. There is one factor that some people will use a 90-degree angle:
- Aesthetics: When pulling fabric taut for decorative purposes.
Really, stick to the guide above for securing the guyline, and you really can’t go wrong. As always, practice makes perfect, but a lot of what’s going on here is pretty logical. There are a few things to keep in mind, though, and a few signs to look for when guying your tent down.
Common Mistakes When Tying Down
It’s true that there can be too much of a good thing, and that’s definitely the case when securing a canvas tent. When practicing setting up your tent in a controlled environment, get a good feel for how taut the tent should be. When pulling on the canvas, it should be noticeably smooth, but don’t wrench it so hard that the seams spread. We’re looking for a controlled and secure tension from the guyline through the tent material to the point of tension or the tent frame. Problems can arise if the guyline is too loose or if it’s too tight.
The tent shouldn’t be flapping in the wind. It should feel secure, and the wind should brace against the side. The material should not ripple, but it will wave with a stern resistance. Adversely, the material should not be so tight that the stitching in the seams begins to pull. Stop immediately if this begins to happen. The tension is the most important and the most basic idea to ensure your tent is secure in the wind. But follow some tips below to ensure the tension will never be an issue.
- Make Consistent Angles: The structure of the tent is extended by the guyline. That means that as the tent is pulled in one angle on one side, there should be resistance to the tension on the other side. To best do this, make sure you are using relatively the same angle around your tent. This may not always be possible, but be sure to adjust as you go. Which brings me to my next point.
- Adjust After Setup: When weather and ground conditions change, overnight, rising and falling temperatures will all cause the guyline to shift, settle, and move. A tent is a bit like a living structure, so be sure to secure the guyline every few hours in poor weather, and at least once a day in good conditions.
- Don’t Ignore Secondary Lines: If a section of the tent appears to be sagging, pulling off kilter, or doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Secure some extra or secondary lines because waking up to a sagging tent at 2:00 am in the rain is miserable.
- Know the Wind: This is a common beginner’s mistake, but know the difference between wind in an open meadow and wind at the mouth of a canyon. Know the barometric pressure and follow the weather patterns. Plan ahead, and always look up.
Know the Ropes
This has been a good focus on the best angles to use for securing a canvas tent. But it is not an exploration of the best knots. That falls on you. Many people will just overhand their knots for years and be fine, but it is worth investing some time in getting to know knots and their specific uses. When securing a tent in the wild, there will be many options out there to make sure nothing blows away: rocks, trees, a tailgate or truck bumper. Really, whatever is out there is good to use. But keeping your angles consistent and adjusting your guyline after setup will ensure that your tent stays taut throughout the whole weekend. Stay safe. And keep it tied down.
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