Messing with poncho-tarp and tarps

[peripatew]

I'm relatively new to tarp camping, but so far I'm enjoying it, especially as my "survival shelter" option. I recently got a GoLite Poncho Tarp, and this has been filling my shelter and rain gear needs, though I haven't needed to for protection from the rain yet (odd as it has been raining a lot lately).

Anywho, I thought I'd post up some pictures of me and my son testing them out.

I habitually pitch the tarps way to high for bad weather protection, so I'm working on pitching low tarps for bad weather right now.

I'm really impressed with the poncho/tarp. It's crazy light, and seems quite durable so far. The coverage is more than adequate underneath. and I prefer this over my 10x10 Cabelas XPG tarp.

I'm not sure how great just a tarp is going to be for my environment around the Pacific Crest Trail with mosquitoes, but we'll see!

L

 

[WolfTracker]

Just scored one of these for the daily monsoons, down here in So FL. How small can you get that to roll-up? I'm thinking about securing it to my 5x12 Maxpedition bottle carrier kit.

 

[siguy]

I'm a big fan of tarps...

I currently have a USGI style poncho that's about 5x8 (slightly longer than 8) that has been working well for me. It's not quite as light as the golite or integral designs or the others, but it works well for me and is pretty light...about 14 oz

I'd like to get a 10x10 for bad weather, but that will come later...

You mention that you are worried about the mosquitos...there are some good looking lightweight netting things that go under a tarp and seem like they would work well.

By the time you start adding things like extra netting, the weight begins to get up to small single person tents...but the reason that I don't mind is that the tarp setup allows alot of flexibility. You can string the tarp high to let the breeze blow around you, or low in bad rain, or just use the bugnet if its a really nice night...whereas a tent can only be set up one way...despite the same weight.

 

[Brian Andrews]

Bushcraft Northwest has a 4.5oz net that covers just the head. Been itching for one for a long time, just haven't pulled the trigger on it yet.

Hey Simon, after much playing, 10x10 was the dimension I came up with for my next tarp as well I was planning on ordering one from Cooke Custom Sewing tomorrow.

B

 

[peripatew]

Thanks for posting that bug net! I've been thinking about how to make something like that, as my bivy has an open head hole.

I've been drooling over some custom tarps from Cooke for a while now too! You ordered from them before Brian?