Group Tarp Shelter

IA Woodsman · Mar 29, 2011

I have been messing around with 2 BCUSA tarps and came up with this group shelter. Even if it is used as a 1 person shelter the weight is less than 3 lbs. This design has several advantages
Store fire wood
Cook with a stove
Stow all of you gear with you
Fire prep area
You can work on projects in a dry area
Has plenty of room for pets
Can hold several people
Pots can hang from the ridge pole

If you lower the ridge pole you will have even more room.

This is the finished product

And a how to vid

[YOUTUBE]pH_zpBISQZQ[/YOUTUBE]

j williams · Mar 30, 2011

Great video Terry!!!! Thanks for taking the time to post it.

Im lookin forward to your video on the skeeter net/tarp....

wildmanh · Mar 30, 2011

Nice work! I have used large tarps before on scout trips to make Tarp shelters. They helped keep the sun and rain off on on many a trip.

We ran a rop between two trees for the ridge line, used one large tarp for 2 walls and the roof. Then we would use smaller tarps for the other two walls if need be. If each person brings a tarp, you can put them together to make some nice shelters.

I've slept under a tarp more often on backpacking trips then under a tent. :thumbup:

Rockywolf · Mar 30, 2011

I always appreciate your videos, Terry. They are just another great way for you to teach me skills. Will you post up some of the knots you used to hang the poles and secure things? Thanks, Steve

jcl-MD · Mar 30, 2011

Great Stuff IA !!

Woods Walker · Mar 31, 2011

I like these videos. The flying A-frame pitch supported by a ridgeline is often a win.

abo4ster · Mar 31, 2011

Pretty slick. Really like that setup. Thanks for sharing! :thumbup:

IA Woodsman · Mar 31, 2011

Rockywolf said:
I always appreciate your videos, Terry. They are just another great way for you to teach me skills. Will you post up some of the knots you used to hang the poles and secure things? Thanks, Steve

Here I a good start. Bushclass USA Free Lessons Lesson 4 deals with basic knots. There will be more lessons about lashings later.

wildmanh said:
Nice work! I have used large tarps before on scout trips to make Tarp shelters. They helped keep the sun and rain off on on many a trip.

We ran a rop between two trees for the ridge line, used one large tarp for 2 walls and the roof. Then we would use smaller tarps for the other two walls if need be. If each person brings a tarp, you can put them together to make some nice shelters.

I've slept under a tarp more often on backpacking trips then under a tent. :thumbup:

I am glad to see someone else besides me teaching Scouts classic skills.

Woods Walker said:
I like these videos. The flying A-frame pitch supported by a ridgeline is often a win.

abo4ster said:
Pretty slick. Really like that setup. Thanks for sharing! :thumbup:

jcl-MD said:
Great Stuff IA !!

Glad you guys like it.

j williams said:
Great video Terry!!!! Thanks for taking the time to post it.

Im lookin forward to your video on the skeeter net/tarp....

It is next on my list

dipbait · Mar 31, 2011

I have a couple of 8x8s. Might make one later on.

tonym · Mar 31, 2011

Great video Terry, but with the group I associate with there is no way I am sleeping in the same shelter with them...

IA Woodsman · Mar 31, 2011

tonym said:
Great video Terry, but with the group I associate with there is no way I am sleeping in the same shelter with them...

If you did just think of the pics you could post! Yikes!!!

1066vik · Mar 31, 2011

buddy of mine used my 10x12 ground tarp as a tent on a recent campout when the mil-surp squad tent we had for him to use came with the wrong poles.
Used the 3-piece mil surp poles at the ends and staked it directly to the ground.
he had enough room to spread out all his gear and even slept crossways in it.

Group Tarp Shelter

Part time Leather Bender/Sheath maker