Tarps and Setup

B

brians

Joined
Apr 22, 2006
Messages
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Guys,

Never used a tarp, but seeing Naked's thread and others, am thinking I may buy one and enjoy learning over the holidays. I'm thinking best bang for the buck type of perspective.

If not too much to ask, I would very much appreciate your insight into the types of quality tarps you would suggest, and the types of specific characteristics that facilitated use of the tarp. Note that I will likely be using the tarp in a 0 degree environment, so would like input on the necessity and effectiveness of flame-retardant material.

Finally, if you could point out a few of the best setups and knots used, it would be greatly appreciated in order to shorten the learning curve.

Thanks and kind regards,

Brian
 
To be honest, I would just go buy the super cheap "blue tarp" at a local store. Not for taking out in your pack, but to play with setting up.

It will give you a better idea of what size you want, for doing different types of setups. I would be pretty ticked off to spend some good coin of a nice sil-nylon to only found out I wish I had bought a bigger one :D

Some of the dimension can be deceiving. You think "that sounds big enough" but when you string it up, it is a different story.

Visit Bushcraft Northwest for some cool videos on tarps, setup and knots!

B
 
I have a few 8 x 8 tarps . Wal mart has these plastic tarp fasteners that worked real well. Hold up in windy conditions. Ratchet straps are the best things Ive used to keep tarps taut. Bungee cords are handy fasteners also.
 
Hey HornyToad,

Those are some darn nice tarps! Thanks for the links.

While I am all for things that can make setup fast and easy, I would still highly recommending learning some knots! They weigh nothing, do not break, and you are only load limited by the line you have (in other words, the same knots apply to small rope and big ropes).

I can tie the knots I need to very fast, and they are all quick release, making tear down fast. Granted, I don't know a ton of knots. I just have a handful of really useful ones that I use all the time.

B
 
I've always had good luck with the campmor tarps, but I've not ever checked into their ability to withstand fire.

As for setting it up, cheap nylon rope and paracord along with a tautline hitch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jkN3K5G8eE) (hey, I was a boyscout, can't help it :D ) to attach to trees, etc. works for me. Depending on what you have to work with tree wise is what determined how I hung it. A-Frame, 4 corner, etc. Probably didn't set it up the same way twice, never have gotten wet. Another tarp for a groundcloth and you are set.

Have fun and good luck!
 
Any tarp, expensive or not, will work, I fond a no-name tarp, green on one side and silver on the other, who cost next to nothing. Sice matter a lot when the rain start to pour:eek:.
(Personaly I have never considered it neseccary with flame-retardant tarp material, since I tend to be between the fire and the tarp, and if it burn, I would have burned already.)
In time of need, a lightweight ponco with the head opening and hood tied shut, ore some survival blanket, just has to do the job.
Always carry a lot of rope, it is difficult to bring too much.
I usually make a simple lean-to, and if the trees has not placed themselves right, I make some seriously improvised contraption of (dry) sticks and rope to make it work. Of course, I love knotting, and enjoy making such things.

Shore08`s tautline hitch is a good one, and with perhaps a bowline for joining the rope to the hole in the tarp, and sometimes a clowe hitch around trees, the only thing left is to practice in controlled circumstances, the point is to minimice sagging:)
timann
 
timann said:
...Shore08`s tautline hitch is a good one, and with perhaps a bowline for joining the rope to the hole in the tarp...
timann
Click to expand...

I always just used a tautline hitch on the tarp as well... that way I could tighten without having to get out of my bag if for some reason the tarp needed it :D
 
OK, Shore08, now when you mention it, I realice it is a good idea, but I have obviously never tought about that posibility before. Great. Now i can consider this a day when I learned something new:)
timann
 
dipbait said:
I have a few 8 x 8 tarps . Wal mart has these plastic tarp fasteners that worked real well. Hold up in windy conditions. Ratchet straps are the best things Ive used to keep tarps taut. Bungee cords are handy fasteners also.
Click to expand...


If you need extra "eyelets" in your tarp, simply gather up some of the tarp material and place a small round stone or pebble inside, then loop your cord around that on the opposite side and you have a secure way of fastening line to a tarp that has no eyelet. We use sil tarps a lot in the jungle. Only way to go in my opinion for quick setup and tear-down.
 
Somewhere around here is a past thread (I can't search) with numerious photos I posted of about six or seven different basic tarp shelter designs including some I've used in sub zero weather on a regular basis.

I use a 10' x 10' non Sil tarp because I often have a reflective warming fire to keep me roasty toasty. It is a hard core tarp with 4 loops double sewn in on each of the four sides rather than gromments (which rip, tear and come out) and it was designed by a guy who has lived in a tarp shelter more than he has slept under a conventional roof. There are loops sewn in the middle so you can suspend the roof from a branch or hang a lantern on the inside. I've lived in it under 45 MPH winds during a sub zero blizzard and enjoyed the week in relative comfort. No matter how ugly the conditions or inept I am...I haven't lost or tore a loop yet. If you want one yell at me and I'll forward you a link to where you can get one if you're interested.

FWIW if you're going to have a fire anywhere near your shelter I'd highly discourage you from using any nylon rope as it has a lower flash point than the poly. Don't ask me how I know.

There is a bit of a very small learning curve to know how to properly set up a shelter relative to the conditions and also build a fire and where to build it relative to your shelter to keep from being too hot/cold, catching everything on fire and filling your shelter full of smoke.

If you can't find the eight or so photos I guess I can repost them...
 
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I use the MEC Scout Tarp from Mountain Equipment Co-op, at $35 it's a great deal.

Here it is set up on a hike I did in Newfoundland last month. It rained for 12h straight and I didn't get wet.

P1000666-3000.jpg


P1000674-3000.jpg


This was cotton rope that I found at the office, it works well, but absorbs water, normally I would use paracord. I like to use what's available for mooring, I never carry pegs, but will make them with what I can find on site, or use rocks (I've tied one corner to an exposed root as you can see in this photo above). I have elevated one down wind corner to make it easier to get in and out.

P1000669-3000.jpg


I normally use the fisherman on-a-bight for anchoring, which is a great high strength slip-knot that never comes undone.

From the photo you can see that the support rope runs from tree to tree, I've then tied a separate line back to the grommet on each side to keep it from sliding along the support rope. It's important that the material is taught so that water runs off and doesn't collect in one spot.

The most important thing is choosing a spot which will allow water to drain and not pool underneath you, especially the rain water coming off the tarp.

Finally the reason for the hike: hitting the ocean after a five hour compass bush-crash in the rain and fog, a view like this makes it all worthwhile:

P1000677_lowres.jpg
 
Brians,

I've tried four times to respond to your email. But it comes back:

"---- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors ----- <your email address here.com>
(reason: 554 delivery error: dd Sorry your message to your email address here.com cannot be delivered. This account has been disabled or discontinued [#102]"
 
I have a Kelty Noahs Tarp and I'm very happy with it. It has reinforced edges and a bunch of eyelets and it came with a bunch of stakes and guylines.
 
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