Look for the wind's blind spots

Look for natural windbreaks like ridges, rocks, or trees, and avoid the highest ground.

High ridge lines look good for views but they’re terrible in wind. The wind accelerates over the crest. You want the leeward side—the side away from the prevailing wind—and close to a feature that blocks it. A boulder, a clump of trees, a small hill. Even a two-foot rise in the ground can make a difference.

Saddles (the low point between two peaks) are wind tunnels. The air funnels through them. Avoid those. And watch for katabatic winds—cold air that flows downhill at night. If you’re in a valley with a slope, camp where the air will drain around you, not right through you.

Orient your tent so the narrow end faces the wind. That lowers the profile. And don’t pitch right at the base of a cliff—wind can bounce off and create turbulence. A few feet back is often better.

Your tent won’t fix a bad site choice.