A little disappointed in my pop-up--any ideas??

[ThunderLund78]

This is the first year I've owned my own portable. It's an Arctic Shield 6x8, comparable to the Clam Base Camp--in fact from what I can tell the structural mechanism is the same. On a calm day it's great, and I knew it would be difficult for a one-man set-up and take down in the wind when I bought it--I mean there's no way around it, its a giant sail. I made sure I was well-practiced with set-up and take down in my basement before hitting the ice alone. But what disappoints me is it's structural integrity in even a medium wind.

Today was probably 15MPH winds and the sides repeatedly buckled when a bigger gust would blow. This happened the first time out I had it out and I was able to prevent it by positioning the house at an angle to the wind. But today, no matter how I seemed to place the house, it would buckle on whatever side was closest-facing to the wind. Does anyone else experience these or know a better method that I'm not using? It's actually pretty violent when it happens and if you were sitting next to the hub when it caved it could give you a black eye. I suppose I could run guylines off the loops on the sides and anchor them in the ice? Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[1johntimm]

I suppose I could run guylines off the loops on the sides and anchor them in the ice?

You just answered your own question. Anchor the wind side of the house...problem solved.

[Mike Stark]

Anchor the side facing the wind. Eskimo makes great ice anchors if you plan on buying a couple more.

[sunniewally]

yup! guy lines off the side into the wind will prevent it from blowing in.

[traveler]

Didn't it mention that in the directions for anchoring? It works great, you'll have no more troubles.

[ThunderLund78]

I was not impressed with the instructions that came with the unit. It came with anchors but no mention of usage beyond basic set-up. It was literally a one-pager. Great shack on a calm day, but I'll have to get it out a few more times and hone my routine for the wind. Thanks for all the help, guys!

[KrabbyPatties]

Little blue pill?

Someone had to do it....

[whos_on_first]

I have a clam base camp and had the same surprise my first time out. What I've found works on windy days is putting an outside anchor in the ice on the windy side even before setting up the shelter. Then attach the anchor to an outside wall with a bungee and begin setting it up. The bungee keeps it from taking off and allows you to stretch/adjust the shelter once up. Then I anchor 2 of the inside straps, and done. As long as the outside bungy is facing the wind, the other sides are fine. Then do the reverse on take down, leaving the outside bungee in until everything is down. It has saved me from chasing it all over the ice when I'm by myself!

[chris63]

Manufactures know we don't bother reading the directions so they save money by only printing and including a "one pager"with pictures(stick men)usually.Good luck and don't fall in!c63

[Jarrod32]

I have a clam base camp and had the same surprise my first time out. What I've found works on windy days is putting an outside anchor in the ice on the windy side even before setting up the shelter. Then attach the anchor to an outside wall with a bungee and begin setting it up. The bungee keeps it from taking off and allows you to stretch/adjust the shelter once up. Then I anchor 2 of the inside straps, and done. As long as the outside bungy is facing the wind, the other sides are fine. Then do the reverse on take down, leaving the outside bungee in until everything is down. It has saved me from chasing it all over the ice when I'm by myself!

That is the way to do it. It might be a little hard to see detail in the photo below, but it will give you the general idea. This was earlier today, and it was quite windy out this afternoon (20+ mph wind) and the shack held up nicely.

[Jarrod32]

One thing to watch...the door will get tight and hard to open/close on any side that you have anchored down this way. Make sure the door is on the side away from the wind and tie downs...

[Archerysniper]

I have a clam base camp and had the same surprise my first time out. What I've found works on windy days is putting an outside anchor in the ice on the windy side even before setting up the shelter. Then attach the anchor to an outside wall with a bungee and begin setting it up. The bungee keeps it from taking off and allows you to stretch/adjust the shelter once up. Then I anchor 2 of the inside straps, and done. As long as the outside bungy is facing the wind, the other sides are fine. Then do the reverse on take down, leaving the outside bungee in until everything is down. It has saved me from chasing it all over the ice when I'm by myself!

Great tip guys and I will remember this for next winter when I get a hub style house.