Tarp overhang for bivy?

[David@whiteblaze]

I recently purchased a NF Backpacking Bivy (and yes, it does have plenty of room for me, also, as an added bonus, it feels like someone took a 1 foot by 4 in. stuffsack, filled it with air and called it a bivy. :D) I need an overhang for it for crawling in and out during weather that forces me to camp... lightning, night-hiking in a storm w/ 5 miles to next shelter etc... and possibly a bit of cooking. here are some pics of tent:
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:260a-q_Z3CmzpM:http://mirror.altrec.com/images/shop/detail/swatches/TNF/3149.47848_e.jpg (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://mirror.altrec.com/images/shop/detail/swatches/TNF/3149.47848_e.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.altrec.com/the-north-face/backpacking-bivy&usg=__sKM2ywhimsNv_9wLKCEpVwWvQK0=&h=960&w=960&sz=42&hl=en&start=5&um=1&tbnid=260a-q_Z3CmzpM:&tbnh=148&tbnw=148&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbackpacking%2Bbivy%26hl%3Den%26rls%3D com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address%26rlz%3D1I7ADSA_en%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1)http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:Jq3FBtuQCgYzPM:http://iris.backcountry.com/userimage/view_resized/6243/250/250 (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://iris.backcountry.com/userimage/view_resized/6243/250/250&imgrefurl=http://www.backcountry.com/store/profile/1557038/Angus-Bohanon.html&usg=__a3tlmioMTnl1iewhAA00mjyginE=&h=250&w=229&sz=18&hl=en&start=15&um=1&tbnid=Jq3FBtuQCgYzPM:&tbnh=111&tbnw=102&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbackpacking%2Bbivy%26hl%3Den%26rls%3D com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address%26rlz%3D1I7ADSA_en%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1) And heres some of my design thoughts:(follow link or whatever)
Any thoughts on how to improve, or move forward? (HP= hiking pole.) THanks in advance for your responses.

[David@whiteblaze]

heres some of my design thoughts:(follow link or whatever)

I didnt put in that:( so, dont b confused.

[srestrepo]

wouldnt it be a good idea if you could anchor one of those hammock hanging tarps to the end of trekking poles if you had them, so that it creates an awning around the entrance with the high or set the bivy up offcenter between two trees and hang the tar between the two trees to create the awning and a dry place to cook enter the bivy, etc. enjoy your purchase, i've been eyeing that thing for a while but i dont think i fit in it...

[David@whiteblaze]

If I had a hammock I wouldn't need an overhang 4 my bivy when I get the other equip ill
Buy a hammock and stash the bivy 4 the whites

[DAKS]

if you are using a poncho as yer' rain gear you could rig that up pretty easily. good luck!

[Foyt20]

2nd on the Poncho.

[bigcranky]

A 5x8 foot sil nylon tarp would be plenty large enough, easy to rig with trekking poles or a couple of nearby trees, and weigh about 12-14 ounces with stakes a guy lines. A spinnaker fabric tarp would be even lighter.

A poncho tarp would provide a multi-use solution.

[David@whiteblaze]

bigcranky- can you pos a drawing of what you are talking about? i cant quite visualize what you mean and i am a big visual learner

[dreamsoftrails]

just get an 8 x 10 silnylon tarp and you will have the best of both worlds. that bivy will keep you warm and the wind off you, the tarp will give you real room to play around in, actually stretch your legs out while you cook.

[Tinker]

Here's one idea of how to set up a small tarp (imagine your bivy inside) http://www.alpinlitegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=5
could also be done with a poncho of similar size.

[David@whiteblaze]

well... that would have to be a pretty big poncho, but i think that you have shown me where i can find a tarp. what are guylines and where can i getthem (or similar product)

[buz]

Guy lines are what u use to set up the tarp, to make it tight with stakes. Braided masons line, (not twisted, braided) available at home depot or Lowes, is an easy, light, inexpensive type of guy line. Get your tarp, or make one, then figure out guy line lengths that work for fitting over the entrance of your bivy.

[David@whiteblaze]

does it come in exact lengths or a package of x# of ft.

[buz]

Package of x feet, one pack good enough. You will do this last, after you figure out tarp configuration that fits best. Then cut these lines to fit your configuration and staking needs. Figure out how to tie tautline hitch on both ends. Leave the lines on the tarp.

[David@whiteblaze]

ok, would kite twine work for pre-assembly?(backyard, not backcountry.) i have several hundred feet of the stuff and it worked for my monster tarm in tenn. and backyard.

[Deadeye]

With a good-size tarp, what do you need the bivy for at all?

[David@whiteblaze]

lol... how 'bout them whites?

[bigcranky]

With a good-size tarp, what do you need the bivy for at all?


You don't. But if all you have is a bivy (a waterproof model made for resisting the weather), then it's kinda hard to get in and out when it's raining. A small tarp helps.

But a nice big tarp makes a great shelter all by itself.

[buz]

Sure twine is fine for practice/learning the set up/making modifications/knot practice.

[David@whiteblaze]

thanks, its not likely to get winds over 3-4 mph around here at any given moment, so the twine should work til' i get some cash flow.