Hi-Gear Horizon Windbreak with Clear Window Panels, 4 Panelled Structured Windbreak from the Hi-Gear Horizon Tent Collection, 6 Metre Windbreak for Camping, Camping Equipment

Product Information

As you might have already guessed, I would encounter a moment when my Garmin inReach Mini would ultimately save my life. If I was going to head out on a bunch of solo backcountry hikes on lightly trafficked trails, I wanted a little peace of mind. but very mixed reviews online as to whether it's actually any good as a windbreak (which is more important, lol).

When the helicopter was 10 minutes out from my location, I had my gear packed up and I was sitting on a rock with my tent wrapped around me in an futile attempt to block the wind. Steady 20 mph winds blew the snow into my tent and the wind continued to change direction and swirl around me. But, I’m here to stomp on the illusion that you’re safe just because you’ve hiked thousands and thousands of miles. I could even make out the outline of the mountains across the lake instead of just a wall of white of snow blowing in front of me.It was a never-ending battle to try to brush the snow out of my tent so I could keep my down sleeping bag dry. And I was protected enough to pull my icy gloves off and let my hands thaw while I waited for new instructions. I was still financially responsible for: (1) the ambulance ride to the hospital after the evacuation from the backcountry; and (2) all my medical bills from my treatment in the ER. I’d broken down my unstable tent to meet the helicopter, and now there was no way I could possibility get my it set back up again in this wind.

I don’t take undue risks or throw caution to the wind just because I have the safety net of a SOS button.

Despite these depressing thoughts, I know in my heart that being tough only gets you so far when your life is actually in danger. Then you have to activate it with Garmin’s subscription service so that that device goes “live” with the satellite system. I’d checked the weather forecast once again on the way back down, and it now showed a 30-60% chance of rain/snow overnight. An automatic message appeared on my inReach’s screen, which read, “I have an emergency, and I need you to send help.

And with Covid-19 wrecking havoc on all my prior 2020 hiking plans, I was beginning to shift toward some smaller, more remote adventures for the summer. But I would never have taken the extreme measure of pressing the SOS button unless I was ready to cross over the threshold of summoning a real-world rescue. Air windbreaks are a perfect match for your air tent or air awning - in fact many air tent brands also produce windbreaks to exactly match their tent or awning. This blizzard and high altitude was just as big of an obstacle for my rescuers trying to make their way into the backcountry as it was for me in getting out.

Inflatable air windbreaks are particularly popular choices for campers as they are lightweight and easy to set up; simply inflate them with a high-volume pump!

I’d planned for the cold weather to descend on me, but I hadn’t anticipated a true blizzard in early September!

Then he slowly lowered the helicopter onto a flat area at the far end of the lake and landed about 300 meters from me. This wind break stood up to 61kph gusts and probably saved our tent when we got caught out in a yellow weather warning for wind. And the entire time, the SAR Coordinator from the local sheriff’s office was incredibly responsive and clearly invested in getting me to safety. Before I knew it, I was lying in a ER bed and being treated for hypothermia and the cold injuries to my hands and feet.