Tarp Shelters

You guys have some pretty nice setups. I never did understand why one would want to use a tarp vs. a tent for shelter. Besides packing weight. What are the advantages of using a tarp? Also, if it were to rain or something, wouldnt you and your sleeping bag get completely drenched? Could someone please enlighten me? Thanks
 
As for me, if I intend to camp out overnight, I will usually bring a tent. I want a lightweight tarp to have with me for those instances when my overnight stay is unplanned.

It could be a day hike gone bad, or a impromptu decision to bivy while hunting so as to be closer to the elk come daybreak,

Sili tarps are light, versitile and don't take up much space. (They even help you lose some weight from your wallet!)

-- FLIX
 
I made my own sil-nylon tarp using Ray Jardine's book:

http://www.amazon.com/Ray-Way-Tarp-...ef=sr_1_1/105-2396238-3437212?ie=UTF8&s=books

Don't have any pictures of it and with 6 inches of snow on the ground, I can't take any now. :)

It's 8x10 ft with "beaks" on either end to help keep out the weather. It's a little cooler sleeping that in a tent and I wouldn't recommend it during high bug season (unless you have some sort of bug net).

Reason I decided to go with a tarp was almost entirely due to weight. Bad back has relegated me to lightweight backpacking.
 
skammer said:
I carry a 10x12 sili nylon tarp. Stuffs down to nothing and is the bomb. I seal it to the ground low for cold weather and hook up a candle lantern to the roof and it warms up nicely.

Skam
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Did it come seam-sealed? If not, what did you use?
 
Tarps are great unless you have to deal with serious bugs, as in Canada's north during the (brief) summers. They can literally eat you alive.
 
Heck, the 'skeeters can be so bad they keep you awake thudding into the walls of a tent (screaming in bloodlust! :eek: )
 
Bladestunner,

My reasons are... You can get right next to the fire.

You can see the great outdoors better.

There is no condensation build up like in small tents.

A piece of bug net can be easily draped over open areas.

Low weight, can be used as a carrier/litter.

They fit in my tight Kayak.

My tarp is more like a Wheelen tent with sides closed off and a slight roof overhang to shed the real heavy rain.
 
bladestunner said:
You guys have some pretty nice setups. I never did understand why one would want to use a tarp vs. a tent for shelter. Besides packing weight. What are the advantages of using a tarp? Also, if it were to rain or something, wouldnt you and your sleeping bag get completely drenched? Could someone please enlighten me? Thanks
Click to expand...

Tarp tents are a core piece of equipment for ultralight hiking. There are some pretty sophisticated tarps-- single wall tents really. There are several that have bug liners that can be added per season or geography or you can use some gizmos that cover your top half, etc. My combo rain gear and 35 square foot tent weighs 11oz.
 
Thomas Linton said:
Did it come seam-sealed? If not, what did you use?
Click to expand...

Thomas,

The silicon impregnated nylon does not come sealed and doesn't need to be as the silicon itself roles water off like rubber. Its very much like a ripstop parachute material and has a slippery silk like texture to it. Tested it in the nastiest of conditions I would want to be out in and passed with honors.

My 10x12 stuffs down to the size of 2 soda cans or less if you work at it and weighs about a lb and a bit.

Truly a marvel of modern textile science.

In summer I hang a cube style bug screen designed for a queen sized bed under it. I can raise the tarp to about 4 feet above the ground and have a nice open breeze and no bugs. Total weight 2 lbs.

It is very durable and quiet as I put rocks on the edges in fall /winter and no damage yet. That said I dont believe it will outlast those cheap blue tarps but its a tradeoff for weight space.

The one drawback is the price. I think you can pick one 10x12 up for $75.:o

I am a gear slut what can I say. Most people love it when they see it and want one till they hear the price. On SAR missions pack space and weight are crucial as you know and saving a lb or 2 is good, more room for medical gear.;)

Skam
 
Dont forget space. My 10x12 is palacial next to a 3 person tent and I can cook and sprawl out under it instead of being cramped and smelling your guests farts haha.

Skam
 
The reason I asked is 'cause my 10 x 12, purchased from Campmor, leaks at the seams -- not horrible, but steady in a heavy rain. Guess I need to do a Google.
 
I'd rather sleep in a tent most of the time. I am still trying to perfect a good survival shelter. It has to be small and light enough to carry all the time in my Camelbak. I had been working on using the Coghlan's Emergency Bag. The problem is that I have to get up during the night to add wood to the fire or pee. A lean-to shelter allows you to get up while still being half asleep without destroying your shelter.

At the moment I think something like a 9'x9' tarp or HD Space Blanket or poncho, a HeatSheet and a Thermo-Lite 2.0 Bivy might be a good combo. The Heatsheets® Emergency Bivvy is super small and light!
 
I have a couple of different Black Diamond tarp shelters. I really like the older ones better than the newer ones, the newer ones are too much like tents, but the originals are really usefull.
 
Thomas,
Even with silnylon, most manufacturers recommend seam sealing. Look at the McNett products that most outdoor/sports retailers stock. For a standard nylon tarp use "SeamGrip" (awesome stuff, like duct tape in a tube) and for silnylon use their "SilNet" stuff. Should solve the leaking problem right away.
 
Thanks for all your prompt replies. Indeed I have learned a whole lot more. I haven't gone camping since I was about 15 yrs old. Watching shows like Man vs. Wild on Discovery Channel have made me think about survival and the outdoors. I'm glad I found this site. So much more to learn. But anyway I'm getting off topic here.

Thanks again.
 
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