I'm looking at making a Tarp Tent for general use. I'll be doing section hikes and long weekend hikes in the southeast mostly. I'm slowly putting together enough sections to say I'm actually making progress on my hike of the AT, but I really don't want to stay in the shelters most nights.

Has anyone made one of the Bilgy Tarp Tents from Quest Outfitters? I'm considering making one of these, and wanted to see if anyone had any experience with this particular design. I may take the basic design and slightly modify it, but will wait until I get the kit and see the patterns before making a final decision.

I've helped work on one of Ray Jardine's Tarp Tents, and the RayWay is the comparison point I'm using. If I don't make the Bilgy, I may end up with a variation of the RayWay.

Thanks for your help!

i made two ray-ways, and am happy with them.

I've seen one in use and talked with the owner (who was thru hiking in 2002). It just didn't look roomy enough to me for thru-hiking (which I was planning at the time). It is certainly worthy of consideration for sectioning and long weekends. You might also want to look at the Jones tent (http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/jones-tent/index.html), the Jones II tent (http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/jones-tent2/jonestent2.pdf), the original Shires' tarptent (http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/tarptent/index.html), a modification of the original Shires tarptent (http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/tarptent2/index.html), and Ben's tarptent (http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/tarptent3/index.html) to get an idea of what can be done and what materials are available.

I was thinking of Bilgy, can you give me web sits for the (Jones 1 or11 & Ben's) and anothers out thire.

I'm increasingly interested in the concept of making my own shelter. Is it the cost or weight or the enjoyment of doing it yourself?
Just wondering
As for now I like my Eureka but I'm curious about the preference folks have about making their own.

My son and I made a RayWay, and it's a nice tarp. I bought his net tent, but we haven't sewn it yet. We made the RayWay for his through hike in '09, and he has been using it and experimenting with setups.

I'm thinking about making the Bilgy just for me. That way I can have a shelter of my own while he's doing his through, and in case my wife wants to go with me. Right now, she's more into the comfort mode, so backpacking isn't high on her list, but that can change. Our honeymoon was a backpacking trip, so she isn't totally adverse. ;)

I want something that is very versatile, and adaptable to whatever situation I find myself in. I am considering making the Bilgy with some modifications, and will make the 2 person of whatever I decide on.

I've seen one in use and talked with the owner (who was thru hiking in 2002). It just didn't look roomy enough to me for thru-hiking (which I was planning at the time). It is certainly worthy of consideration for sectioning and long weekends. You might also want to look at the Jones tent (http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/jones-tent/index.html), the Jones II tent (http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/jones-tent2/jonestent2.pdf), the original Shires' tarptent (http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/tarptent/index.html), a modification of the original Shires tarptent (http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/tarptent2/index.html), and Ben's tarptent (http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/tarptent3/index.html) to get an idea of what can be done and what materials are available.I was thinking of Bilgy, can you give me web sites for the (Jones 1 or II & Ben's) and anothers out there.The original post above has clickable links to the plans for these tents.

My son and I made a RayWay, and it's a nice tarp. I bought his net tent, but we haven't sewn it yet. We made the RayWay for his through hike in '09, and he has been using it and experimenting with setups.

I'm thinking about making the Bilgy just for me. That way I can have a shelter of my own while he's doing his through, and in case my wife wants to go with me. Right now, she's more into the comfort mode, so backpacking isn't high on her list, but that can change. Our honeymoon was a backpacking trip, so she isn't totally adverse. ;)

I want something that is very versatile, and adaptable to whatever situation I find myself in. I am considering making the Bilgy with some modifications, and will make the 2 person of whatever I decide on.

Those poor squirrelies:eek:

They were probably scarred for life.:banana