Tarp Shelters

[Cai]

This is going to make me sound like an absolute novice.

I think for my hike (SOBO '09) I'm going with tarp shelter over tent. (I'm a small guy, so I'm seriously trying to restrict the weight I carry)

But - I need to know how to rig a tarp. Does anybody have any resources (books, websites, videos) that diagram how to do that? I know I need to get one and practice, but I can't practice until I at least have a basic idea of how to set it up.

[Tinker]

Here's an interesting design:
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=48
You get better coverage with less weight with a tarptent than with a tarp, generally speaking. A tarp excels when you need protection from a light drizzle with no wind and want less restricted views around you.

[Tinker]

Here's a good link to start you off should you decide that a tarp is for you:

http://members.tripod.com/halbertri/tarps.htm

Btw: I usually use a hammock unless there's snow in the forecast (sometimes even then). Old bones need a cushy bed.

[Cai]

I did see that tarptent in this year's Gear Guide. The bug netting is a serious positive...:-?

Thanks for the link, that's exactly what I was looking for.

[Tinker]

One more link before I hit the sack.
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/index.php?cPath=35&osCsid=f43718237d06cab5a4a2140439335a92

I bought a poncho and bivy here, which I use on overnighters in the White Mountains when the weather isn't expected to be bad. There aren't as many places to rig a hammock near treeline.

[envirodiver]

I like to hike with tarps, a lot, but I must say that if I were looking at being on the trail for as long as a thru takes and the extreme weather that you are likely to experience, I would go with more coverage. Especially if you are not experienced with a tarp. However, after 20 days or so you'll get pretty good with different pitches for different conditions. You have to be a lot more observant of your site and the weather, direction of wind, etc.

The tarptents that people will mention and some of the very light tents, like the hubba, REI T1, Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 might be things you would like to review. Six Moon Designs seem to have some interesting offerings. I've not used them, but many on here have.

[Skidsteer]

http://www.equipped.org/tarp-shelters.htm

[jaiden]

Most of the links you get from this search are good ones:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tarp

[hopefulhiker]

You might look at a small tarp tent, like the Henry Shires Contrail. It will keep out bugs too.. Look at the Gate wood Cape too, you might be able to fit in there.. A tarp tent provides protection against bugs for not much more weight..

But most people use their hiking poles and trip tease to guy out the tarp in various configurations.. Carry about eight stakes with you... But i am no expert I used a tarp tent..

[Marty_Mcfly]

http://www.bushcraftnorthwest.com/articles/articles.htm
This guy's video is pretty good and he has lots of diagrams to show you how to do what you need to do to rig a tarp. I think he overcomplicates things a bit. I am new to tarping, but I am thru hiking this year and decided that I wanted to use a tarp so I decided to teach myself all the knots and what not in order to do it. The other website that explains pitching a tarp very well is www.outdooridiots.com
I would go with either a tarp or a tarp tent. A full tent isn't necessary especially unless your in EXTREME weather, and on a trail like the A.T. if the weather gets that bad you can just sleep in a shelter.

[Strategic]

Lest we forget, our own Sgt. Rock has a good page on pitching tarps with a nice set of picks and good instruction.

Sgt Rock's Tarp page (http://hikinghq.net/gear/tarp.html)

[maxNcathy]

Gossamer Gear has a new one out called The One with a video to show you how to pitch it, I think.

[jesse]

I have made 2 Rat-way tarps, and like them. Ray Jardine sells the kits, and a book that has all you need to know about tarp camping

http://www.ray-way.com/Tarp-Book/index.htm

[Johnny Swank]

Tarps and tarp tents both have advantages and disadvantages. I used an 8x10 silnylon tarp for most of my SOBO hike (along with a net inner tent in Maine) and loved it for the most part. I like futzing around with the 100's of ways to set tarps up though, so YMMV.

Tarptents keep on improving and dropping in price every year it seems. You can't go wrong with most of them, they're easier to set up (for the most part), and usually have bug protection built.

I probably set up my tarp as an "A Frame" or some varient 95% of the time. That thing is a palace for one, and quite usable for 2. I wouldn't go any smaller until you have some experience with whole tarp thing though.

[hobojoe]

. Ray Jardine

http://www.ray-way.com/Tarp-Book/index.htm
This is an awesome simple tarp setup book. I built the kit and use it all the time now. Definately a good resource.

[shelterbuilder]

This is going to make me sound like an absolute novice.

I think for my hike (SOBO '09) I'm going with tarp shelter over tent. (I'm a small guy, so I'm seriously trying to restrict the weight I carry)

But - I need to know how to rig a tarp. Does anybody have any resources (books, websites, videos) that diagram how to do that? I know I need to get one and practice, but I can't practice until I at least have a basic idea of how to set it up.

Cai,

Living in A-town, the trail is right in your backyard. Get yourself a tarp before the end of Spring, and get out there and start pitching! (Even if it's NOT the tarp that you'll be taking with you - get something!) You don't have to spend the night at first - take the tarp for a dayhike and when you find a nice spot to stop for a few hours, get it out and pitch it. The A-frame and the flying diamond are probably the two configurations that you'll use the most, but play with your tarp, and by this time next year, you'll be able to pitch it blindfolded!

[clured]

Since we're on the subject, I need remedial tarp-pitching help. Last summer I carried an Oware Cat Tarp 1.1; 95% of the time I would just use two well-placed trees as the supports for the ridge, but this is obviously somewhat constraining.

How the devil do you do a pitch like this:

http://www.owareusa.com/Cattarps.html

...without a second person to hold the poles in place while you scamper around tying out the guylines? Notice that the handles are on the ground, not the tips, so you can't just dig in the tips (which, as I know from experience, is a bad idea because it tends to bend/degrade them).

[Skidsteer]

Since we're on the subject, I need remedial tarp-pitching help. Last summer I carried an Oware Cat Tarp 1.1; 95% of the time I would just use two well-placed trees as the supports for the ridge, but this is obviously somewhat constraining.

How the devil do you do a pitch like this:

http://www.owareusa.com/Cattarps.html

...without a second person to hold the poles in place while you scamper around tying out the guylines? Notice that the handles are on the ground, not the tips, so you can't just dig in the tips (which, as I know from experience, is a bad idea because it tends to bend/degrade them).

It's not too hard.

Stake out all four corner lines. Just take a wild guess where they should be. It's really no biggie.

Then, prop up one end with a pole and stake the line taut while keeping the pole more or less plumb(you can always kick the bottom of the pole in or out later).Since the guyouts are staked on the end away from you, the pole will stay up pretty easy since you're pulling out from the front in tension against the two rear corners.

Repeat with the other pole. You're just looking to get a nice, tight ridgeline.

Now, adjust your corners where you want them.

That's the bare bones and obviously there are other tweaks you will come to use after you get a few pitches under your belt.

When you get your first 'perfect' pitch, measure the distance between your guyout stakes using a trekking pole so you can get pretty close the next time.

[Feral Bill]

With a flat tarp, tie three corners down and one up. Add another tie near the middle pulling up to a high point, maybe an extra stick as needed and you're all set. An 8x10 is palatial for one, works for two. No bug protection, though.

[quasarr]

I have made 2 Rat-way tarps, and like them. Ray Jardine sells the kits, and a book that has all you need to know about tarp camping

http://www.ray-way.com/Tarp-Book/index.htm

Agreed, I made Ray's 2-person tarp and it's what my boyfriend and I currently use. The book goes over lots of stuff like knots and how to select a camp site.

Since you're nervous about using a tarp properly, why not try a 2-person size? You'll have plenty of coverage and fudge factor until you get more comfortable and can switch to a smaller size. A 2-person tarp is usually about 4-8 ounces heavier than a solo version, so the weight penalty is not much. My Ray-Way tarp weighs 16.5 oz including guy lines!

[TrippinBTM]

With a flat tarp, tie three corners down and one up. Add another tie near the middle pulling up to a high point, maybe an extra stick as needed and you're all set. An 8x10 is palatial for one, works for two. No bug protection, though.

how do you pull the middle out, if there's no grommet there?

[Feral Bill]

how do you pull the middle out, if there's no grommet there?

Wrap a pebble or small cone in a bit of the tarp, then tie a line around the base of that. Works like a charm.

[Bear Cables]

look at this site and scroll down to the bottom where you see the You Tube clip.

http://www.backpacker.com/cgi-bin/forums/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=832107219;t=9991115944