HH Tarp question

[Lyn]

Going to BC on Friday for 2+ weeks. Weather/wind is unpredictable but it's probably too early for anything more than gale force winds at worst. The plan is to bring the HH hexfly as our main tarp in this very wet area. I'll be using a tent mainly but am bringing the hammock just in case I find the perfect spot (if I can fit it in the kayak).

I think the HH tarp is up to the task but would like more than one opinion. My paddling partner is concerned there aren't grommets and asked whether we could add them (:eek:). I have 4 JRB self tensioning lines and the other 2 come with the tarp.

I'm also hoping to collect rainwater with those little plastic things that screw into Platypus bags (after thoroughly cleaning the tarp, which seems somehow better than treating water but it's my first attempt).

Any comments on the plan or suggestions?

Thanks so much...Lyn

[Lyn]

We're bringing a Miox purifier and a backup filter if the rain water plan doesn't work.

Lyn

[Just Jeff]

Rock went through a hurricane in the stock HH tarp. Yours should work fine. You could add grommets, but if you don't reinforce them with extra layers of fabric, they'll just rip out. Lots of people use that tarp just the way it came and never needed grommets...sounds like extra weight to me. YMMV.

Watch out for bird poop, pollen, dust, etc on the tarp if you're using the funnels.

[Lyn]

will be cleaned and the water filtered (at least) before consumption, thanks for the warning.

And thanks for making me a bit more secure about the tarp. I felt confident enough not to worry until I realized I was being confident for 2, so I just thought I'd check with more experienced folk.

Much obliged for all the help here.

Lyn

[neo]

Going to BC on Friday for 2+ weeks. Weather/wind is unpredictable but it's probably too early for anything more than gale force winds at worst. The plan is to bring the HH hexfly as our main tarp in this very wet area. I'll be using a tent mainly but am bringing the hammock just in case I find the perfect spot (if I can fit it in the kayak).

I think the HH tarp is up to the task but would like more than one opinion. My paddling partner is concerned there aren't grommets and asked whether we could add them (:eek:). I have 4 JRB self tensioning lines and the other 2 come with the tarp.

I'm also hoping to collect rainwater with those little plastic things that screw into Platypus bags (after thoroughly cleaning the tarp, which seems somehow better than treating water but it's my first attempt).

Any comments on the plan or suggestions?

Thanks so much...Lyn

:) i hope you have a great trip,kayaking and hammocking are a great combo:cool: neo

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/3/4/6/2/2006_0719triplplk0052.JPG (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=12097&original=1&c=577)



http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/3/4/6/2/2006_0719kpi0036.JPG (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=11902&original=1&c=member&imageuser=3462)


http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/3/4/6/2/2006_0719kpi0027.JPG (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=11901&original=1&c=member&imageuser=3462)

[River Runner]

My Silnylon Hex Tarp survived 30 mph winds fine, but one of the wimpy Ti stakes I was using pulled out twice. If you think you are going to have heavy wind, I'd recommend using a little better stake. The grommets aren't necessary IMHO.

[peter_pan]

As in any set up, the key to a secure camp is to chose a protected location...Eliminated the potential for high wind by proper site selection....

That said. get some good stakes...after all you don't have to carry them on your back....the 7 inch 7065 a/c grade alum that are "Y" shape have great holding power, do not bend, and still only weigh 0.5 oz.

Pan

[Lyn]

I've never had a problem, but I still put a big rock on top of them just in case unless I'm in a completely sheltered area.

Thanks for the wellwishes...I'm outa here early Friday :banana

There is no hope at concentrating on work.

Lyn

[smirkinman]

I slept in my stock HH Expedition with stock fly through a south Florida summer squall. I have no idea how hard it blew, but it blew water up under the fly of my camping partner. I'm guessin 30 at least, maybe gusts to 50.

The stitching held up just fine. I used aluminum snow anchors 4 x 4 slightly shaped hard aluminum plates buried in the sand because the sand here is so light and loose that I don't trust any stake that's not three feet long.

Oh, but I did rip a few feet of the edging off my tarp - I tied one side up high to a fence to get more air, and went into the house for a while. It rained like it can only rain in the tropics and in less than 30 minutes I had the whole side of the tarp holding up what looked like five gallons of water. It was really scary looking and I paniced and tried to make a low spot on one edge to let the water out. Bad idea. That additional pressure popped the material - not the threads or the loops on the corners. Ripped a quarter inch of the fabric right off with the edge binding.

I ripped the seam out and re-sewed the edge binding. I had to add a small piece of binding to the clip end because I messed up the binding so bad while I was trying to get the stitching out where the two sides crossed.

You'll have no trouble with the loops.

Don't forget about using a "deadman" if you are expecting a blow. Nothing sucks worse than having the stakes poke holes in your tarp blowing in the wind. I think the end away from the tarp is the more iffy one.