My wife and I currently have a nice Tarptent Stratospire 2, but I love the idea of getting really skilled with an ultralight tarp, and I’m looking forward to putting some time into learning. I am considering a 10’x10’ square flat tarp since it offers the most flexibility in terms of pitching, and should hopefully be big enough for me and my wife should we use it on our 2017 PCT thru-hike. However, I’ve heard that the learning curve is intense.
So, a few questions:
- How long did it take you to get comfortable with using a tarp? Any general tips for a beginner, other than learning all the useful knots?
- I’m guessing you only use a few pitches regularly: other than the basic A-frame, what are your favorite setups?
- If I’m solo hiking, would a 10x10 tarp be too big to be practical?
- How would you set up your tarp in worst-case weather (heavy rain, volatile wind directions)?
Thanks for your help!