View Full Version : Tarp stuff......
My tarp arrived last Friday afternoon. I immediately took it outside and tried a few pitches. Brian sent 10 strands of an orange 6' rope (string) and I attached these to the tarp using a bowline knot. I am planning on tracking down some shock cord and making the shock cord tensioners to use on the tarp. My yard is tiny in the back (I live in apartments) and it is on a downhill slope so I didn't have much to work with. The only level place is at the bottom of the hill and there was a small amount of water standing in the grass, so I stayed away from it.
This thing is huge, and I like it. I wish I would've known where to ask him where to place some extra tie outs so that I could have had him add some more. I have 10 tie outs on it. 1 at each corner, 1 on each end of the ridge line, and 2 more evenly placed on each of the long sides. I wish I had 1 dead center on at least one of the long sides to make pitching the half pyramid easier. As it is I don't have a tie out in the middle. I used a smooth rock and made a tie out in the center but after I took it out I noticed that doing this kinda stressed the silnylon a little, so I don't plan on doing this anymore. In one of the pictures below I used the handle end of the trekking pole right up under the edge of the middle of the tarp to hold it up in the half pyramid pitch. I also wish that there were some on the actual tarp so that I could use a guy line to raise the tarp instead of using a trekking pole inside it. Oh well, these are things I am learning.
Below I pitched the tarp in an A Frame using my trekking poles (1st 2 pics) and this was huge (I could imagine if I tied off between 2 trees and made it a little higher - sweet!) Both my wife and I fit beneath it with plenty of room for more. The next 2 pics are of where I simply lowered the A Frame to the ground and staked it out. I could see how this would be a good pitch for easy rains (as long as I wasn't on a hill so that the water could run back on me). The last pic is actually one of the first time I pitched it. The half pyramid I was talking about above.
Anyway, just a few things....I like the tarp so far.
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu88/STICK13/AFramepichedhighsideview.jpg
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu88/STICK13/AFramepitchedhigh.jpg
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu88/STICK13/AFramepitchedlow.jpg
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu88/STICK13/AFramepitchedlowsideview.jpg
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu88/STICK13/HalfPyramidmodified.jpg
HiKen2011
03-22-2010, 18:51
Are you plannng a thruhike? I'm using a tarp for my thru hike as well. It is an 8x10. I was going to use a hammock as well but I think I have decided against it. You will need a bug net. Looks great and congradulations!:sun
Detour
I think you have enough tie-put points and the tensioners will be a big help in keeping a taut pitch. If you re-set the corner stakes you should be able to get rid of the slight fold from the peak to the middle tie-out, but not too important.
I think you will be glad to get the low end closed off, pointed into wind or rain.
To save a little weight you could cut down the size of your ground cover to be only slightly bigger than you sleeping bag. If you need a bug net check out simblissity.net or Mountain Laurel Designs, or from whomever you bought the tarp.
I noticed your front pole is not straight up and down. That's good. Experiment with the pole angle. From Gossamergear, I learned that poles can be angled out, ie. the base of the pole moved out away from the center of the tarp. This will still keep the tarp taut and give you a bit more space underneath.
Nice photos.
http://www.simblissity.net/
A very nice looking tarp, STICK. At this rate, it won't take you long to master its use.
Haha....I want to thru so bad....and I will one day. Not today though. I am afraid I may have to have back surgery before I take on a task such as that, it would be devastating for me to have to leave the hike for surgery, that I could have prevented.
Anyway, I am looking at getting a TT Moment to. I really am pleased with the tarp though. It weighs in at 17.4 oz. Not to shabby considering I can easily fit 2-3 people in that thing (depending on pitch). I will probably look into getting some sort of netting that I can hang from the front and weigh down with some rocks or something. I don't want to invest a lot of money into a bug net since I am looking at the TT too (and a WM bag, and a Nimbus Ozone.....) I have a sheet of Tyvek that I have not cut down yet because I want to play around a little more with the tarp and different pitches to figure out what size I want to make it. The piece that I have now is probably about 5 x 7 or 8 and weighs 9.7 oz. So I have to make it right the first time.
Anyway, I haven't been able to play with it since last Friday since I've been in the bed the last 3 days with my back. Maybe by the end of this week I'll be getting around a little better and be able to go out and play with it some more.
Ill try to get some more pics soon so that everyone can critique me. I want to try and get this stuff right, you know....
Thanks everyone.
Wise Old Owl
03-22-2010, 21:36
nice pick Stick! great pitches.
I am very impressed with the tarp. It is very nicely sewn and while I am afraid of the tension I put on the tie outs when I'm torquing on it something tells me that it is stronger than I give it credit for.
I never thought I would be so happy about a simple tarp!
Well, I hobbled outside today and played with the tarp a little more. I must say that I ended the day discouraged. I need to have some more tie outs on it. It seems that whenever I pitch it it is so low to the ground in the back there isn't a lot of room. If I had some tie outs on the top of the tarp I could use them to raise the tarp.
Here is a pic of another A Frame that is pitched low:
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu88/STICK13/Lowpitch.jpg
There is not much room at all underneath there, but it would be good for a rain. I do not have a pole on the back side but instead I staked the guy line out kinda far away on a stake which allowed the back of the tarp to keep a small pitch, which would be good for ventilation. The front may still be a little high, depending on the rain. Of course if it wasn't raining I would pitch it higher.
I really want to do a half pyramid, but since I don't have the tie out in the middle on the long side, I am really discouraged. I guess I will have to pitch the half pyramid using the short side across the front. I don't know.
Here is another pitch I tried. It actually is quite spacious on the inside and provides decent cover, but I don't know how it would do in a wind storm.
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu88/STICK13/MyPitch.jpg
In this one I just stood m 2 poles up in the middle and staked the tarp down around them. Kind of like a circus tent. It works out great, but there is a flap at the front unless I guy the front middle tie out up and out. If I tr to pull it down towards the ground I get a lot of flap.
I am not getting the flying pyramid. this is the one that I definitely get a very low hang towards the back and it seems that it renders mush of the space beneath the tarp wasted.
Anyway, I think I am going to go back out for a minute, and then call it a night. Just wanted to rant for a minute.
Can be frustrating can't it? It looks so much easier when you're looking at pictures of other people's tarps. I'm dealing with a similar situation with my hammock and tarp setup myself.
Gotta start somewhere though and from the looks of it you'll be a tarp master giving other people tips before long.
Thanks 10-K. I just set it up inside, sorta......it was interesting.
It does look kinda easy looking at other peoples, but I gotta admit, sometimes there are so many ropes going everywhere and sticks and hiking poles sticking up, I can't say that is to easy.....but it makes a great booby trap!
It is though. I have the TT Moment on the back of my mind, but I am really hoping that this falls into place and it pushes the other back. Actually just about 2 hours ago I was looking at the BA Fly Creek tents.....Im so bad....
I am having a hard time with knots. I ordered some shock cord today to make some line tensioners , wondering how that will turn out.....
From a few years back: Sgt. Rock sometimes contributes to White Blaze.
http://hikinghq.net/gear/tarp.html
I believe your tarp is designed to have one end higher than the other and probably wider at the "front". For a storm set, lower both ends relatively, but do not lower the back end all the way to the ground. You can be well protected from the rain with both ends open. Your "storm set", photos 3 and 4, look perfect!
An issue with tarps...wind. A tarp can become a wind tunnel. Solution...try to have the low end into the wind. Block it as bet you can with your empty pack and other gear. Sleep with your feet to the wind. Another solution is to have one side to the wind. If the wind is strong it could push the side down on top of you in gusts, but the stakes should stay in place. Noise is an issue..flapping and snapping material.
Add rain to the mix and you could get both spray from the open end or the side of a wet tarp pushing down against you in your bag.
This is why many use waterproof/breathable bivys.
Good news: 99% of tarp sites along the AT are in the woods, offering good protection from wind and rain. I have not used a bivy in the summer on the AT.
Another solution to the wind/rain issue..."beaks":
http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/570850898upjTCe
Other beaks do not go all the way to the ground.
http://www.prolitegear.com/site/image.html?sku=pl_golite_cave_1
Alligator
03-24-2010, 08:43
There's a method to pull up on the low end of the tarp where you put the trekking pole at a little distance from edge of the tarp. Then the line goes up to the top of the pole and then down. The line forms an angle with the trekking pole as part of the vertex.
http://cache.backpackinglight.com/backpackinglight/user_uploads/1251163295_15581.jpg
I don't fuss much when I set mine up but I've been meaning to start doing this. I usually manage a line pulling up in the back off a bush or branch.
There's a method to pull up on the low end of the tarp where you put the trekking pole at a little distance from edge of the tarp. Then the line goes up to the top of the pole and then down. The line forms an angle with the trekking pole as part of the vertex.
http://cache.backpackinglight.com/backpackinglight/user_uploads/1251163295_15581.jpg
I don't fuss much when I set mine up but I've been meaning to start doing this. I usually manage a line pulling up in the back off a bush or branch.
This is a low pitch that I did the other day. I kinda did this, I think.
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu88/STICK13/Reallylowpitch.jpg
Well I added some shock cords to my tarp today like shown here: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3731
It helped me to learn the clove hitch knot a little. As simple as it looks, trying to hold onto the ends of the shock cord, pull the lines to tighten the knot and keeping the shock cord in place was a little difficult at first. I got a roll going by about the 4th or so, but I stopped at 8. I will have to practice it some more around a trekking pole.
I will give the taut line hitch a go when I stake it down. So, is it easier to use a shepard or "J" hook rather than a straight stake? Thinking about it it would seem so since it would give me a little hook to help me hold the line in place while my inexperienced hands fumbles around with the knot......Also, on stakes, I have some MSR Groundhogs that I was going to use, but just playing in my yard I have been using some aluminum "J" hook stakes that came with my Kelty tent. The tarp in some small winds have bent the far out of some of those stakes. The ground is soft enough for me to push them in with my hand, but the top of the round is soft enough to let the stake arch backwards in the ground, bending the stakes in the middle. So what kind of stakes do you use?
So I am going to try to take my tarp out in a little while and hobble around it setting it up. I am wanting to try out these shock cords.
Also, since I got this sewing machine.....while I am not about to start sewing stuff to the top of this thing, I may can add a single loop in the middle of the long side on the edge so that I could have an easier time pitching the tarp in the half diamond. To do this, could I just get a small piece of grosgrain, make a loop out of it, stick it on top of the seam and just run a stitch across it? should I go about it another way? I am not going to do it unless I am really sure (not 100% sure, cause I can't be that sure til I'm done.....so like 99%) that what I am going to do will not mess the tarp up.
Snowleopard
03-27-2010, 21:48
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Also, since I got this sewing machine.....while I am not about to start sewing stuff to the top of this thing, I may can add a single loop in the middle of the long side on the edge so that I could have an easier time pitching the tarp in the half diamond. To do this, could I just get a small piece of grosgrain, make a loop out of it, stick it on top of the seam and just run a stitch across it? should I go about it another way?
The best way is to look carefully at how the other guy loops are attached and try to duplicate. Sometimes it is best to sew some fabric reinforcement on to spread the stress out then sew the loop on.
You're inspiring me, it's getting to be time to fire up the sewing machine.
Here is a video I did last night of my tarp, It's bad (the acting and the picture http://www.backpacker.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif) I used my BB Pearl to do it so I have a reason for the bad video, Im just sorry for the acting part though.....anyway. In the video I planned on leaving it out all night. Closer to dark it started raining and they had t'stroms forecast in the middle of the night so I lowered it to the ground. About 2 this morning I heard the wind and all so I went out to check on it (don't want it to blow away!) When I went out there it was raining so I jumped under it for a minute. The wind was blowing really hard (even some lightening and rain) and soon after the back end fell down. The stake holding the ridgeline came loose from the ground. So I decided right then and there I was going to rip it up and bring it in so I could sleep without wondering if it has blown off, or gotten damaged in the wind. I carried it in and draped it across some bar stools and went to bed.
The stakes I was using are some aluminum "J" hook stakes that came with a Kelty tent. I think next time I will have to use the MSR Groundhogs cause these just are not holding in the ground worth a darn! The ground is pretty soft from all the rain over the last few weeks and especially at the top so maybe the groundhogs will work better.
Anyway, here is the link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYpTsxqrpnQ
I may send my tarp back and let Brian from OES attach some more tie outs for me, but since I've been out of work with my back I may have to put that on hold. Either that or sew them on myself.....(I have been contemplating it, among other projects.....)
I have been to the Ray Way site but I haven't spent a lot of time there so I'll check it out some more. I will have to get some more line for my tie-outs anyway when I add some more tie-outs. However, for now the tie-outs on the ridge line are only 6', in fact they all are. And, I am not sure what "brand" of line this is that Brian sent with the tarp, but it is really nice. Does not seem to stretch, seems very strong, pretty tangle free and bright orange. I was reading about some speer no-tangle line and just came across this http://www.countycomm.com/teather.html (3/32" tether cord) that looks like it might be pretty good too (also the tether cord is $9/300' and the speer cord is $26/100'). Or I could just get some of the Kelty triptease and cut it in half for the ridge lines.
I found out that the line I am using is this:
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=101
It is some nice line and I may just go with that again.The price aint to shabby either!
I would like to put a 10' line on each of my ridge lines and 6 for the rest. If I get the four extra tie-outs on the top of the tarp I would also like to have 10' line attached to those as well, or at least have it available in my pack. Here is a pic of the line guyed out to a MSR Groundhog stake and tightened down using an adjustable knot:
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu88/STICK13/OES%20Tarp%20Pics/trekkingpoleguyout.jpg
The string that I ran on the inside of my tarp (along the ridgeline) was not tight so it didn't hinder me from tightening my tarp, as far as I could tell. But I really liked the ability to just slide my light back and forth to wherever I needed it.
Alrighty then, after the other night I have decided that I will use my MSR Groundhog stakes with my tarp from now on. I also decided that I needed to get my knot tying skills a little sharper. I searched on the web and found this video for knots that are really cool:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WV_SjE83hE
The knot that really caught my eye was the "adjustable knot." It is awesome! And it's essentially the same knot that I had been using except in his before he ties the knot he loops it in between and around the cord twice, then ties it off (with a half hitch?). (Is there another name for this knot?) Doing this makes the knot easily adjustable when slack is put on the line, and holds nice and tight when the slack is let up and tension is back. Here is a pic of the knot in my line when I set up my tarp again today using this knot:
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu88/STICK13/OES%20Tarp%20Pics/adjustableknot.jpg
What made this even nicer for me is the way the I can use it with the Groundhog stakes. I can just slip the guy-out line through the loop that is attached to the groundhog, very easy. The groundhog stakes are much firmer in the ground than the round smooth aluminum stakes I was using. I am sure this is due to the design. But these won't bend (near as easy) where as the other ones did. Also they do seem to grab on and hold onto the ground better, period.
Backtracking a little. I did put the shock cord on my lines, and I think that this is cool. However, I don't know what happened when I first put them on using the clove hitch knot. With very little tension on the lines they started popping off. So I took the tarp down (didn't even have it all the way up actually) and carried it back in. I pulled off all the shock cords by hand, except one.
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu88/STICK13/OES%20Tarp%20Pics/clovehitchknot.jpg
This one held one. I couldn't get it off, and rather than cutting it off, I figured it was obviously doing it's job, so I left it alone. It is holding up right now (the tarp is set up outside.) The rest of them I tied them off with a double fishermans knot.
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu88/STICK13/OES%20Tarp%20Pics/doublefishermansknot.jpg
Boy did I struggle with the short ends of tiny shock cord trying to do this. I was already frustrated. I figured out I could pull all the slack, tie them and then adjust them when I got them tied. So, do you think it would be ok to trim these up a little?
So, yes my tarp is setting up right now (in just about the only pitch I can do fairly well so far, which is the A-Frame.)
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu88/STICK13/OES%20Tarp%20Pics/New.jpg
I have been trying to get a routine down for this pitch. This is what I have so far. (How does it compare to yours, or do you have a better method, I'm game...):
1. I stake out the two ends on the long side. I use the adjustable knot and leave a good bit of slack.
2. Next I insert 1 trekking pole into the ridge line D loop.
3. I stake down the corner not staked out on the side with the trekking pole.
4. I insert trekking pole in D loop on other side of ridge line.
5. I stake out the last corner.
6. I stake out the ridge lines.
7. I stake out the tie-outs in the middle on the long side.
8. I re-adjust the position of the corner stakes.
9. I use the adjustable knots to snug up the tarp.
Also, this time I used one Groundhog stake in the middle of each side and ran the line from both the middle tie-outs to it. I can use 2 fewer stakes this way, but I am not sure if there are cons to this method. Here is what I am talking about:
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu88/STICK13/OES%20Tarp%20Pics/middletiedtogether.jpg
http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu88/STICK13/OES%20Tarp%20Pics/middletiedtogethercloser.jpg
So, I am hoping that I have just about gotten the A-Frame a little figured out. Now I have to get another pitch started on......
I must admit though, that with the new way of tying out the knots and the Groundhogs I feel much better about the tarp right now........
brooklynkayak
03-31-2010, 12:23
Thanks for all the pictures and the tips that you've learned.
I have to agree that skinny shepherds hook stakes don't often cut it. I've had to put big rocks on top to keep them in the ground. Now I mix a few different stakes so if the ground is loose I can use the longer thicker stakes in the most important areas and the lighter ones where it doesn't matter so much.
I personally don't like to use bungie/shock cord. It gives to much in strong winds and causes the walls to come in too far and flap more.
What I do instead, is pitch my tarp first thing and then after dinner, go back and tighten everything. A taught-line hitch is good for this, unless you have slippery line, then truckers hitch is better.
On the subject of additional tie points, backpackinglight.com has a good article on adding points:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/myog-laminating-silicone-impregnated-fabrics.html
And as you have observerd, the tie around a rock concept doesn't work so well with light silnylon. Grip clips work better, but they slip with silnylon unless you also use thin rubber to hold them in place, ballons work to add grip. Seam seal may work as well.