Modified Poncho Tarp

[BakerMan]

First Post on White Blaze, and hopefully more to come.

I just finished seam sealing a modified Poncho/Tarp. It started life as a Campmor Ultralight Extension Poncho Tarp (http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=9996340&memberId=12500226&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1).

I sewed a strip of sil nylon down one side, and added a beak to both ends. The resulting width is 86 inches (120 inches long), hopefully big enough to sleep under without a bivy and still avoid getting wet in the rain. I have used a ponch/tarp before and was unhappy with the amount of coverage it provided. The weight increased from 10 oz (my poncho tarp was an older version made from heavier weight sil nylon) to 15oz.



I have not used it on a trip yet, but I am pleased with the increased coverage.

Links to photos are below
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/1/3/4/2/MYOGPonchTarpConversion017.jpg

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/1/3/4/2/MYOGPonchTarpConversion019.jpg

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/1/3/4/2/MYOGPonchTarpConversion015.jpg

The new side pannel (green silnylon) has a patch of blue at the end because I ran out of fabric.

[mike!]

nice baker! looks like a palace to me! (especially compared to my poncho tarp :D) my question is though how does it work when in poncho mode?
mike!

[Two Speed]

First, :welcome

Looks like it ought to work. I'd say the best thing to do is take it out for a couple of overnighters and see how things go. The next best thing would be to let us know how it works out.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Welcome to WB! This appears to be an excellent design. You may need to make a way to secure the extra length of the poncho out of your way in the front to keep it from interfering with climbing. Since it appears you have a tie-out loop on the beak, a place to attach that inside the poncho should work well for this.

Great job, Bakerman. :)

[Skidsteer]

Very nice work!

[TurkeyBacon]

I've wanted to try something like that. I'm also curious what it looks like when you have it on.
I like the fact that you set it up right on the grass of your mass occupancy living situation while everyone living inside looked out their windows and asked themselves "what's that freak doing?". Its a small hurdle that must be crossed by anyone who makes their own gear.
Nice work,
TB

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

The neighbors that don't know me are afraid of me....

[stuco]

That looks great, could you show a photo of what it looks like as a poncho?

[BakerMan]

When the tarp is converted into a poncho, the extra piece of fabric on the sides folds under. One of the beaks folds under and attaches with velcro, and the other one must me tied around my waist with one of the guy lines. (I plan on adding a button to solve this problem).

I used another guy line around my waist as a belt to keep everything in place. It is a bit bulky, but not any more than a poncho by itself.

Pictures below in poncho mode:
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/1/3/4/2/MYOGPonchTarpinponchomode002.jpg

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/1/3/4/2/MYOGPonchTarpinponchomode006.jpg

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/1/3/4/2/MYOGPonchTarpinponchomode005.jpg

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/1/3/4/2/MYOGPonchTarpinponchomode004.jpg

[Dingus Khan]

Nice looking stuff baker!
I too am trying to figure out the best way to use the poncho that i purchased (ps interesting link -since i bought mine directly from equinox - http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00167.html except the equinox site claims that the extender poncho is ure.coated nylon not sil... :( )
You could have saved yourself some work and picked up the extender one, but as im learning, diy is much more fun than punching in you credit card number online!
besides, the beaks make it what it is! :)
I am trying to figure out what/how is the best way to wrap the rear of the poncho under my bag or around me so that i don't have the 2foot wide gap from the back of my legs and the hanging poncho.
it is long enough to tie off with shock cord (much like the silnylon version from integral designs: http://www.integraldesigns.com/product_detail.cfm?id=728&CFID=7861168&CFTOKEN=3603&mainproducttypeid=1)

so far not much has worked... i guess my biggest problem is the horizontally lashed 20"x58" CCF pad hanging off the bottom (or top) of my pack.
when i went, or should I say tried to go, ultra light i removed some of my useless straps that are now prooving not so useless :rolleyes:

hehe, and so continues the diy drama...

[RSWillis]

Great work! I may try to make one myself.