View Full Version : tarp for cooking under
One Half
10-07-2016, 20:02
Anyone carry a tarp just for cooking under? My husband and I are getting back into backpacking together. I've been going solo for a while. It would be nice, since we are able to buy lighter gear and split the load, to have a tarp just for cooking under during inclement weather.
If you do, which brand and what size?
nsherry61
10-07-2016, 22:36
Yes. Not often except when expecting extensive rain. Having some extra dry outside space is awesome! Pick your size. And 8x10 is great and palatial. A 6x8 is probably a good minimum for two people to shelter under while cooking.
Have fun.
Hikingjim
10-07-2016, 23:21
When I hike with my girlfriend I carry a couple other random items that i don't when solo. And one is a tarp when there's a decent amount of rain
8x10 integral design silitarp2 is what we use. it's good and haven't had any issues. weights a bit less than 1 lb and packs very small
Any sil tarps that are around 400g or less should be ok. there are some lighter options (ie cuben fibre), but price goes way up
we use it for cooking and generally just hanging out as well. I like the 8x10 because, if it's raining, we'll also just stick our mats out there and relax until we're ready for the tent.
Yeah, if I'm expecting rain I carry an extra tarp. In Glacier NP the backcountry campsites have a food area well separated from the campsites. Not fun to sit in the pouring rain to cook and eat, or even to have a snack.
10'x12', from my Speer hammock.
The Cleaner
10-08-2016, 10:53
I have always carried a reusable "Space Blanket" which is about 6' long and 4.5' wide.You can turn the reflective side up on a hot & sunny day for a shady spot.I use it folded for a sit pad in cold or snowy weather.Many other uses too.The one I use has small metal grommets in each corner and sells for 12-15$ at many retailers.36489Oh one last thing it weighs a little under a pound and some hikers may not be able to handle the added weight.:eek:
MtDoraDave
10-08-2016, 11:10
The 5' x 7' outdoor products Backpacker Tarp from Wally world is reportedly 8.75 ounces, $10, and about twice the size of a wallet when folded in it's stuff sack.
I have used mine as a ground cover and as a shelter to sit under when I arrived at camp when it was raining. I later pitched my tent with the entrance to the tent protected by that tarp.
Sandy of PA
10-08-2016, 11:31
I cook under my umbrella.
MtDoraDave
10-08-2016, 11:45
...and for one slightly larger, slightly lighter, and $40 more:
5.5' x 9' silnylon 7.5 oz $49.99
http://borahgear.com/tarps.html
If it's actually raining, I have cooked in my shelter's vestibule, or just outside my shelter while sitting inside it, carefully.
A cooking tarp is extra weight I prefer not to carry, unless with a group of 3-4 people who can share the load.
MuddyWaters
10-10-2016, 12:11
That's what shelters are for
Tipi Walter
10-10-2016, 12:17
The only time I carry a tarp is when I am backpacking with a group. Otherwise a tarp is just dead weight since I already have a tent.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2016-Trips-171/24-Days-in-the-Pisgah-Holyland/i-CKmLnz5/0/XL/TRIP%20174%20Pt2%20020-XL.jpg
I did a recent 24 day backpacking trip into Pisgah NF and near the end of my solo trip several of my backpacking friends showed up and so I retrieved my cached tarp and set it up in camp in preparation for the gathering.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2016-Trips-171/24-Days-in-the-Pisgah-Holyland/i-JqBRNfs/0/XL/TRIP%20174%20Pt2%20030-XL.jpg
One excellent thing about a tarp is it draws in the women.
nsherry61
10-10-2016, 12:49
The only time I carry a tarp is when I am backpacking with a group. . .
The only time I don't carry a tarp is when I'm backpacking with other people that insist on using a tent. . . that's not really true, because I almost always carry my poncho as my preferred rain-gear and it doubles as a tarp.
Tipi Walter
10-10-2016, 13:07
Who needs a tarp when I have this beloved behemoth---cuts down on spindrift too.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2016-Trips-171/17-Days-in-the-Snow/i-xfRBxwP/0/XL/TRIP%20172%20338-XL.jpg
Traveling as a couple may b nice to have 2 shelters if u get separated or something . A small tarp 5x9 or so would b light not to expensive and insurance.
thom
Tipi Walter
10-10-2016, 13:36
Traveling as a couple may b nice to have 2 shelters if u get separated or something . A small tarp 5x9 or so would b light not to expensive and insurance.
thom
I learned long ago that backpacking with a spouse is 100% better if each of you have your own shelter. Why? Snoring, tossing and turning, want to get up at 3am to read or write or eat, etc. Personal space greatly reduces conflict and gives each person his own . . . uh . . . space.
The only time a single shelter might be useful (short of a Mt Everest storm) would be during the throes of sexual addiction whereby two need to become one. Once life's storms of lust pass the double shelter rule works well.
bigcranky
10-10-2016, 14:18
I learned long ago that backpacking with a spouse is 100% better if each of you have your own shelter. Why? Snoring, tossing and turning, want to get up at 3am to read or write or eat, etc. Personal space greatly reduces conflict and gives each person his own . . . uh . . . space.
The only time a single shelter might be useful (short of a Mt Everest storm) would be during the throes of sexual addiction whereby two need to become one. Once life's storms of lust pass the double shelter rule works well.
Having done a lot of long distance hiking with my partner and spouse of more than thirty years, I have to respectfully yet totally disagree. We share a tent, even a sleeping pad (the Exped double UL pad), and soon we'll have some quilts to share. It's much better this way, nothing to do with the "throes" of anything.
(Sexual addiction? Really? Did you come of age in the Victorian era?)
Tipi Walter
10-10-2016, 14:24
Try separate shelters and see what happens. Of course Little Mitten and I are loners at heart and so the dual shelters work well. We've gone the single tent route and found a better way. YM Will Vary.
Sexual addiction might have been too strong a sentiment. How about The Drugged Out State of Sexual Heat???:) Victorian Era? No, just 44 years of yoga brainwashing.
I only offered my advice of taking two shelters for couples who never considered it. Many backpacking couples think staying together is the only option. It ain't.
When hiking with my wife, she is carrying a tarp-poncho as raingear, and I always thought that this piece would make a perfect tarp-like fly over the tent entrance.
But at the end in real rain we always found it too cold to sit outside under the open tarp, exposed to the wind, and always ended up cooking in the tent vestibule.
Actually we do no real cooking, just heating up water to re-hydrate freeze dired meals and for tea/coffee.
Just love the smell of burning Esbit... <G>
My husband and I sleep separate too. I tent and he hammocks. I love it. I do need my personal space. My tent is my "room". I have been recently considering giving a hammock a shot too, for those crazy rocky campsites when a hammock is the answer to not wrecking your UL tent. We bought a Clark's double hammock for him to carry. I carry a TT Double Moment, which he has visited when he couldn't get warm enough in his hammock once. So we have the best of both worlds.... in theory. We haven't had a chance to try the new double hammock out yet, as he just has back surgery. Hoping to give it a go in November around Thanksgiving.
AfterParty
10-10-2016, 17:30
I do now that I went to a hammock.
Tipi Walter
10-10-2016, 17:34
One thing many couples and group backpackers don't realize is the need for personal space, more so than at home. Out in the woods a lot of processing is going on and it's important for some to keep their inner voice going with themselves and their surroundings. They need a place to reflect in solitude without disturbance. Ergo dual shelters.
One Half
10-10-2016, 18:50
I learned long ago that backpacking with a spouse is 100% better if each of you have your own shelter. Why? Snoring, tossing and turning, want to get up at 3am to read or write or eat, etc. Personal space greatly reduces conflict and gives each person his own . . . uh . . . space.
The only time a single shelter might be useful (short of a Mt Everest storm) would be during the throes of sexual addiction whereby two need to become one. Once life's storms of lust pass the double shelter rule works well.
LOL. This seriously cracked me up. We have backpacked together in the past and there is no way I would sleep separately. We have been together more than 25 years. I'm used to his snoring and perhaps we are according to your standard, sexual addicts. But hey, it works for us!
Having done a lot of long distance hiking with my partner and spouse of more than thirty years, I have to respectfully yet totally disagree. We share a tent, even a sleeping pad (the Exped double UL pad), and soon we'll have some quilts to share. It's much better this way, nothing to do with the "throes" of anything.
(Sexual addiction? Really? Did you come of age in the Victorian era?)
Cool. I need to check out that sleeping pad. Trying to find a good quilt(s) to share as well. Not sure if our height difference would make that a problem? We obviously sleep in the same bed at home but the home comes with central heat and A/C!
One thing many couples and group backpackers don't realize is the need for personal space, more so than at home. Out in the woods a lot of processing is going on and it's important for some to keep their inner voice going with themselves and their surroundings. They need a place to reflect in solitude without disturbance. Ergo dual shelters.
I figure most of the day we will be hiking solo, unable to talk. That's when I like to do my reflecting. At home I love when he gets home from work and we can share our day. We've been at this a while. He understands when I need my space and I understand he needs me to help him recharge. Besides, a lot of the reason I'm not doing this hike next year (or done it already) is because I seriously cannot fathom having all these wonderful moments without him.
One thing many couples and group backpackers don't realize is the need for personal space, more so than at home. Out in the woods a lot of processing is going on and it's important for some to keep their inner voice going with themselves and their surroundings. They need a place to reflect in solitude without disturbance. Ergo dual shelters.
i think the horse is dead quit beating on it ;0)
thom
The beatings will continue until full compliance and acceptance of the weirding way.
rocketsocks
10-10-2016, 19:48
Traveling as a couple may b nice to have 2 shelters if u get separated or something . A small tarp 5x9 or so would b light not to expensive and insurance.
thomthats just about what me poncho measures...and yup, ive cooked and eatin' under it before.
One Half
10-10-2016, 20:29
Traveling as a couple may b nice to have 2 shelters if u get separated or something . A small tarp 5x9 or so would b light not to expensive and insurance.
thom
was thinking of one of them fancy cuben fiber ones. weight about 5 oz. Could be great as a second sleep shelter if needed, cooking under if raining, or maybe even used as a "shower stall" for a sponge bath
AfterParty
10-10-2016, 20:38
Dutchware gear stocks a hammock gear tarp and the tadpole much cheaper and still pretty light..I have cf one. Kinda expensive but super nice and light. But if you were rained in you could also pitch it out flat and have a nice area to hang out not being tent bound, depending on wind anyways. If you got the funds cf would be sweet.
One Half
10-10-2016, 20:45
Dutchware gear stocks a hammock gear tarp and the tadpole much cheaper and still pretty light..I have cf one. Kinda expensive but super nice and light. But if you were rained in you could also pitch it out flat and have a nice area to hang out not being tent bound, depending on wind anyways. If you got the funds cf would be sweet.
We do have the funds for cf. Our first backpacking trip my pack was 60 lbs. I was 105. No idea what my (boyfriend then) husband's weighed as he was carrying the "heavy stuff." My "handle" on here and other forums refers to how we have had to live for many years while we built our careers but doesn't reflect current day financial situation thankfully. We will likely only get one chance to do a thru. We plan on being comfortable somewhat, especially with how much weight we will be carrying so cf will likely be our go to material. I think we earned it after keeping pretty much all our original gear for 20 years. We still own the first stove we ever bought, along with the fuel bottles! Finally bought a new pack about 5? years ago. Yeah. we are spending the money on cf. We'll use it from now until we thru hike, on the thru and hopefully be able to use it after if we take care with it.
AfterParty
10-10-2016, 20:56
Well I'd check out dutch it wouldn't be huge but it would give you both a place to sit and its light for sure. And with dutch its like jimmy johns freaky fast.
One Half
10-10-2016, 20:58
Well I'd check out dutch it wouldn't be huge but it would give you both a place to sit and its light for sure. And with dutch its like jimmy johns freaky fast.
Thanks. I will check them out.