Homemade Backpacking Gear

  As with any aluminum flashing windscreen, holes can be added along the base using a 1/4" paper punch; however, I prefer a Whitney-style punch which makes cleaner holes than a paper punch or drill.  Notice that I don't put holes all the way around the perimeter of the screen.  In extremely windy conditions, this allows me to turn the screen so that the solid side is windward while the vented side is leeward.  6-10 1/4" holes opposite each other is plenty for proper ventilation.  Most windscreen designs have too many holes.  To me, this is like punching holes in your tent fly to increase ventilation!

Since it seems to defeat the purpose to put holes in something that is designed to block wind, I now make my windscreens without any holes.  Instead, I use my trowel, knife, or a stick to dig small "trenches" under the windscreen where I want ventilation (here, a trench is being made with a Mont Bell trowel).  This method has some advantages.  It allows me to customize the venting according to conditions.  When it's really windy, I can place trenches only on the leeward side of the screen leaving the solid side to the wind.  If the wind is shifting, I can place several very small trenches around the entire perimeter.  To close a particular vent you've made, all you have to do is push the dirt back over it.  All in all, this makes for a completely adjustable system as the situation dictates.  One disadvantage though comes when using the screen on hard rock surfaces...