Anyone camp under a tarp?

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seww

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I've spent a ton of nights (and multiple fly-out hunts), using only an UL, solo, floorless shelter. I don't know how that would be much different than under a tarp.
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What shelter is that?
Mandatory with a hiking pole?
 
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Warbonnet Ground tarp, big enough for two guys plus gear, held up in some pretty strong winds and 8ish hours of steady rain. I got a slingfin split wing mesh body this year for turkey hunting to keep out the snakes and spiders, never ended up using it but it’s an option.
 

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Phaseolus

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I’ve used a Seek Outside DST for years In Colorado’s High Country. I switched to a Seek Outside Eolus last year, it offers better storm coverage for the same weight and the option of adding a nest when in a buggy situaton.64898CB9-05F2-416E-A132-F6DD75DF72AB.jpeg69AC27C3-525D-4D07-950C-27F93B3FF146.jpeg
 
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seww

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Warbonnet Ground tarp, big enough for two guys plus gear, held up in some pretty strong winds and 8ish hours of steady rain. I got a slingfin split wing mesh body this year for turkey hunting to keep out the snakes and spiders, never ended up using it but it’s an option.
Very cool.
Think I might have to get over myself and try it out this year!
 
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seww

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I’ve used a Seek Outside DST for years In Colorado’s High Country. I switchhed t a Seek Outside Eolus last year, it offers better storm coverage for the same weight and the option of adding a nest when in a buggy situaton.
Nice!
And CO isn't that much different from ID.
My DD tarp isn't UL by any means but still lighter with that and some rope over a tent.
 
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seww

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If I had to categorize all the nights I've spent out west hunting, this is how I would break it down:

40% cowboy camping
40% in a tipi or free standing tent
20% under a tarp
What qualifies as cowboy camping? No cover at all?
 
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What qualifies as cowboy camping? No cover at all?

Yup. Put down the ground sheet, pad, and then quilt or bag. I love to look up at the stars. I've done this down into single digit temps before. It started as an efficiency thing: why erect a shelter if there was a low probability of precip? Makes more sense backpack hunting or if you're on the move a lot.
 
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seww

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Yup. Put down the ground sheet, pad, and then quilt or bag. I love to look up at the stars. I've done this down into single digit temps before. It started as an efficiency thing: why erect a shelter if there was a low probability of precip? Makes more sense backpack hunting or if you're on the move a lot.
Absolutely true.

I've done it once on a fishing trip. But it was more like we fell asleep by the fire, not really a planned camp :)
 

Fireman5569

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I have used a Seek outside DST tarp for 3 years with no issue is pitched in a good area and proper adjustment to keep the weather out also never once had a snake be an issue in the Colorado high country, Bugs can suck but i use permethrin on my clothes and percardin lotion on skin to keep mosquitos and ticks at bay. I also love to cowboy camp when chances of rain are low to zero.
 

Patton

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SO DST tarp pictured. A tarp is a great lightweight shelter and can be pitched a number of different ways
 

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Maverick1

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Yup. Put down the ground sheet, pad, and then quilt or bag. I love to look up at the stars. I've done this down into single digit temps before. It started as an efficiency thing: why erect a shelter if there was a low probability of precip? Makes more sense backpack hunting or if you're on the move a lot.
Yup. This. Cowboy camped a lot in NM and AZ. At the end of a long day hiking and hunting, it’s so much easier to just unroll the sleeping pad and plop the sleeping bag on top, and go to sleep. Waking up and going in the morning is much easier too.

Little to no chance of rain, it works great. (Had it go sideways once when an unexpected rainstorm came through the middle of the night once in CO. That was….memorable!)
 
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high country camp.jpg

The kids
and the dog and I slept under our 12x12 REI tarp ( ~2 lbs) during archery season at 10,000 feet and 6 miles off trail in the Weminuche last September. We each bring a bivy sack (1lb each) as insurance against wind-driven rain and snow. This tarp saved our butts during 2nd rifle in 2020 when we got 18" of heavy snow dumped on us that collapsed our tent at 1 in the morning. With a spruce ridge pole, the tarp took all the wind and snow without complaining.
 
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