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A Lesson From the Trail

Tarp Basics

"For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy."

Ps 61:3

One of the greatest back country debates it seams is the old Tarp vs. Tents debate.  I have seen some on-line debates get down right nasty.  Even stooping to childish name calling.

"Yup, that sounds like something you'd do Darrel."

"Shut up!  I would not...dumbass!"

"See I told ya so!"

What type of tarp should you use?  That's the greatest thing about tarps, there are so many options.  You can use a $3 piece of Visqueen or a $80 top of the line sil-tarp.  Izz all good!  I find the standard 10' X 10' tarp is the best and most versitile.  The best tarp you can use the one you make yourself.  

Here are some basic set ups I use when tarping:

The flying diamond- Tie one corner to a tree and stake down the other three corners. This will shed wind like no bodies business. Not huge headroom but it’s a good way to go. If you have a hiking staff you can prop it up near the middle of the tarp for more headroom. With this set up it only takes three stakes and if the wind shifts on you, you can easily pull up the stakes and just swing it around a bit to point the low end towards the wind.

A frame-This is the standard set up I use and like it the best. Either use a couple trees and a line strung between them or just tie the ridgeline lines around each tree. I keep a lawn and leaf bag and some document clips in order to close off one end of the tarp for privacy or wind/rain protection. I don’t use trees most of the time because I carry trekking poles and use them. I can adjust the height at either end very easily. If the poop really hits the fan the best thing to do is to stake all lines low and use the staff/poles in the center of the tarp for headroom. If you pick the right spot to pitch (well draining) you should stay dry as a bone.

Lean to-This is a nice set up if it is mild and there is no rain on the way. Just string a line between two trees and stake the backside down and pitch the front with sticks or staff/poles level. This is a cool way to reflect the fire’s heat into your sleeping area. If the weather turns bad just drop the center line down and lose the poles/staff/sticks and then it’s in an A frame.

NEW! Poncho Tarp Configuration- A buddy showed me a way to set up a poncho as a tarp in a way I've never seen.  Basically you tie one end of a line to a tree about 2 1/2-3' from the ground and then stake the other end out about 8' from the tree.  Then you put the poncho over this line long ways with the ends of the poncho at each end of the line.  Then you stake out the poncho at it's grommets or with lines attached to the grommets.  It makes a small shelter that you will have to crawl into but it is a great little shelter.

NEW! Severe Weather Pitching- In stormy conditions and if it’s raining horizontally the best way to pitch it is to stand with your back towards the wind with the tarp out and holding one corner (BTW- don’t let go right now! LOL!). Stake this corner down. Throw your pack and trekking poles (if you use them) under the tarp. Then move your way around the whole edge staking as you go. Make sure the first corner is pointed into the wind. You want to make sure that the coverage area is smaller than the size of the tarp so this will give you ample head room inside (make a 10X10 tarp cover 7’X7’). When you have all but one corner staked out climb under it. Use your trekking poles as a frame inside. A good skill to know is how to make an “A” by tying your poles together with a clove hitch at the top. Once you have the A made then adjust your poles so they are tight against the tarp and self supporting. The best way to place the “A” is so the upwind and down wind corners have the poles stuck in them. If you use a single pole instead of two trekking poles just simply prop the center of the tarp up with the single pole off to the side.  It’s going to be tight under there depending upon how high you pitched the tarp and laying from corner to corner will give you plenty of room. If the excrement is really hitting the fan and the wind is too heavy don’t erect the frame inside and just leave the tarp collapsed.  A word of warning here though folks; avoid any of the following if you expect these conditions: refried beans, green beans, soy beans…OK, any beans, chili, cheap beer…ya get the picture?

Netting- In the summer you may want some bug protection like one of those nets that Campmor sells that hang from a single point of something like that. Making a net insert is fairly easy too and you can add/subtract features as you see fit.  You can avoid almost all the mozzies by camping up on the ridge tops away from water. A lot of people don’t even consider tarps because they feel that they aren’t as protective as tents. What is the difference? All that a tarp is, is a tent without netting except you can only pitch the tent one way and they are rarely as well ventilated as a tarp.

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