Flat tarp in high winds

[TradLife406]

Anyone have any insight for the best way to set up a flat tarp in high wind? 30+?

Obviously not ideal but hypothetically if you had to set up a tarp what's the best pitch configuration?

I love having a tarp in my pack. But wondering if it's worth packing for SOL situations when it can easily turn into a sail.

I'm guessing something really low to the ground.

Would be nice to use it this weekend while glassing to block the wind.

 

[Tim in Wa.]

In windy conditions I set mine up similar to a Kifaru Super tarp with the low end into the wind

 

[DB29]

I got caught with a buddy last week 6 miles from the truck in a bad wind/rain storm. In the heat of the moment it was just staking out 4 corners crawling under and putting 2 trekking poles in the middle. Find dry hard ground and pitch low. We had a couple stakes pull after the ground wet out. Having guy outs with prusiks ready let us find dry ground to restake.

I have practiced this one and seems like it would be good but never used it in high winds.

 

[bigunit]

I would try a diamond pitch with 3 corners staked and a trekking pole on the 4th corner.

 

[Dave0317]

I think maybe even a slight improvement to the Diamond pitch above is the second pitch in this article:

4 Ways to Pitch a Flat Cut Tarp for Backcountry Hunting | argalioutdoors.com

By Brad Brooks There aren't many must have pieces of gear I feel strongly about that every hunter should have in their quiver of gear, but a flat cut tarp is one of them. The versatility and utility of a flat cut tarp is so broad there will undoubtedly be a situation whether you will either be...

argalioutdoors.com

One of the flat side mid points is tied off to a tree or trekking pole and then all 4 corners get staked. So a bit more coverage and enclosure vs the 3 corner Diamond technique. Ends up looking like an A frame but with the foot end closed/flat to the ground. I’ve also heard it referred to as “storm mode”. Holden tent is similar. That’s part of the problem with tarp pitch names, they aren’t standardized very well. But this concept has worked well for me in rain and 20mph gusts. I can’t say I’ve used it in extremely high wind, but of the pitches I’ve used it would be my go to for bad weather. Using a larger tree to tie off to helps enclose the opening a bit. And being in a clump of trees always helps with cutting wind.

 

[GunsAreFun]

I will once again plug the Warbonnet Ground Tarp. This is where it excels. You cannot replicate the combination of weight, space, and weather protection that this tarp offers with a flat tarp.

G

Thread 'Review: Warbonnet Ground Tarp (SPOILER: It’s awesome)'

Mar 25, 2024

There isn’t much info out about these tarps, even less on hunting forums. I recommend it constantly in posts but usually seem to get lost in the main hunting brands. I’m here to tell you this is THE best lightweight tarp out there.

It is more or less a flat tarp with doors. …doesn’t sound interesting?…. Well what that means is that you can do most of the pitches you would want to do with a flat tarp, while also having the ability to close off the sides to keep wind and rain out. Yes, you can pitch flat tarps in ways that accomplish this, but you sacrifice a ton of space. For 17oz, you...

• GunsAreFun
• Replies: 24
• Forum: Sleep Systems

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[TradLife406]

Thanks guys

 

[River Reaper]

This is the pitch I go with for my 10x10 tarp if I’m expecting bad weather. It held up well over two nights with strong winds a week ago.

 

[River Reaper]

If weather is nicer, this pitch is much more roomy:

 

[TradLife406]

I had to do a ruched pitch the other day. While glassing. I went 20 yards down from where I was glassing. Wind and rain/pellets for a little while. A very sloppy attempt at a modified A.
Definitely not the best location but I made it work. Crawled inside my sleeping bag and a SOL bivy and took a nap

If I'm on a backpack hunt I don't think I'll ever leave the sleeping bag at camp. Let alone the flat tarp. That sleeping bag is a game changer for glassing especially if the wind is cranking. Sometimes puffy pants just aren't enough.

 

[DB29]

I had to do a ruched pitch the other day. While glassing. I went 20 yards down from where I was glassing. Wind and rain/pellets for a little while. A very sloppy attempt at a modified A.
Definitely not the best location but I made it work. Crawled inside my sleeping bag and a SOL bivy and took a nap

If I'm on a backpack hunt I don't think I'll ever leave the sleeping bag at camp. Let alone the flat tarp. That sleeping bag is a game changer for glassing especially if the wind is cranking. Sometimes puffy pants just aren't enough.

Looks good! This is about what I ended up in too. It’s fast, easy to get set up and doesn’t require thought when the weather gets bad fast.

 

[rclouse79]

The last time I tried the wind won. After making the walk of shame down the mountain in the dark I sold my flat tarp and got a Durston x mid. It was a blessing in disguise.

 

[mad_angler]

I have my tarps prerigged for a center ridgeline setup. I have weathered many big blows with this configuration.

I tied the ends of the ridgeline to trees. I also try to tie the 4 corners to trees. That way, I do not have to rely on tent stakes.

Here is a picture of my setup in Wyoming this fall.

 

[mad_angler]

Pictures

 

[Blurry1]

I have my tarps prerigged for a center ridgeline setup. I have weathered many big blows with this configuration.

I tied the ends of the ridgeline to trees. I also try to tie the 4 corners to trees. That way, I do not have to rely on tent stakes.

Here is a picture of my setup in Wyoming this fall.

Have to agree a well setup A frame center ridge line will endure much. This season I got caught in the tail of the storm that crushed the first season elk hunt in SW Colorado. A hex tarp hung low and a hammock kept me plenty dry with 40 mph gusts and heavy rain for 4 hrs. Some fancier setups will probably do better but the old standard is perfectly acceptable too.