Tarps and another random question

[taildragger]

So I've got a few general questions about my tarp before I take it out on its first excursion.

1) I just have regular seem sealer (stuff that they sold at EMS) will this work for the tarp?

2) For possible light snow, what configuration should be used? I figured I'd probably be setting up as a flying diamond or this (http://youtube.com/watch?v=MkBeZqXU4zk)

3) When in either of the two above noted configurations, will I have to worry about water running down the edge of the tarp, and if so, how do I stop that from occuring

For those of you lining your packs with compactor bags. Do you just put the bag in the pack, hole up, then stuff into that and use something like a twisty tie (or just an overhand knot). If so, how effective is it for keeping water out? I'd like to leave my pack's "lid" at home, but that would leave a nice hole for water to get in, unless I improvised a top.

Any and all help appreciated

[Marty_Mcfly]

If you have a regular Ripstop nylon tarp you can use regular seam sealer. If your tarp is made out of Sil-nylon then you need to use a sil-nylon seam sealer like Sil-net. You can also get (GE?) Silicone Seam Sealer at advanced auto parts. If you use the sil-nylon seam sealers you make a slurry out of the seam sealer and mineral spirits. You want it about the consistency of nail polish. A little goes a long way. I barely used any to seal the ridgeline on my sil-nylon tarp and its six feet wide. A-frame is the way to go for snow, pitch the walls really high and steep so you get minimal accumulation, unfortunately this usually means minimal width.

[taildragger]

A-frame is the way to go for snow, pitch the walls really high and steep so you get minimal accumulation, unfortunately this usually means minimal width.

Okay, where I'm going (4 peaks wilderness) is going to be windier with snow. Doesn't look like I'd experience much accumulation, but I'm not sure about doing an A frame in higher wind, I can just imagine seeing the tarp kite effect as I lose my shelter...


BTW, anyone know where I can get a good weather forecast for this place, all I can find only has a 7 day forecast

[shelterbuilder]

Okay, where I'm going (4 peaks wilderness) is going to be windier with snow. Doesn't look like I'd experience much accumulation, but I'm not sure about doing an A frame in higher wind, I can just imagine seeing the tarp kite effect as I lose my shelter...


BTW, anyone know where I can get a good weather forecast for this place, all I can find only has a 7 day forecast

I'm not familiar with the 4 peaks area (I don't get out much!) - if it's reasonably wooded, I wouldn't worry too much about the kite effect...but if it's windy with not too much snow, drop the ridgeline to flatten the "A", and the wind will tend to flow over the top more.

How big is your tarp? Where are the grommets? If it's big enough, modify the flying diamond by staking the first grommets back from the corners (instead of staking the corners themselves), and you'll have instant flaps for the front opening!!!

[taildragger]

I'm not familiar with the 4 peaks area (I don't get out much!) - if it's reasonably wooded, I wouldn't worry too much about the kite effect...but if it's windy with not too much snow, drop the ridgeline to flatten the "A", and the wind will tend to flow over the top more.

How big is your tarp? Where are the grommets? If it's big enough, modify the flying diamond by staking the first grommets back from the corners (instead of staking the corners themselves), and you'll have instant flaps for the front opening!!!

8'X10' for the tarp size, equinox, had never really thought about flaps for the front opening, hrmmm, might try that one out tomorrow night

4 peaks is a desert region north of Pheonix. It's part of the Tonto NF

[shelterbuilder]

8'X10' for the tarp size, equinox, had never really thought about flaps for the front opening, hrmmm, might try that one out tomorrow night

4 peaks is a desert region north of Pheonix. It's part of the Tonto NF

If the grommets aren't in the right places, you can always add some extras yourself. Just remember that if you close the front opening completely, you will have some condensation inside. But the flaps will help keep a lot of blowing snow and dust/dirt out. I usually weight my flaps down with a rock or two, or sometimes my boots.

Phoenix - cool...haven't gotten that far west yet.