Staying Dry Under a Flat Tarp

[PathFinder]

Right now I'm using a SO BT2. I bought it to replace my ~6lb Badlands tent. At 27 oz (before stakes and pole extender) it saved a ton of weight and room in my pack. I've been using it all spring and aside from bad condensation, I love it. Since I'm planning on getting a bivy to run inside the BT2 when it's wet (Borah eVent side zip) I figure I may as well grab a sheep tarp to use when the weather is nice and drop almost a pound vs taking the BT2. It will be used on early season scouting trips, utah's early archery season, and into September and October in Utah and Idaho when the weather is mild. I've never used a flat tarp much, the only time was when I used a cheap tarp from Walmart strung up between two trees with a piece of paracord. First, what is the best way to pitch them? I'm only 5'6" so room won't be a big problem when it comes to pitch. The areas I hunt are very steep for the most part, one advantage I see to the tarp is being able to pitch in a deer bed on a steep slope. I picture pitching it mostly flat, staked down on the uphill side, and supported up off the ground with poles on the down hill side. Second question, related to the first, how on earth do you stay dry under these things?! Some of the storms I've been in have been unreal. Maybe I'm just foolish, but I could care less about forecasts; when I want to hunt, I hunt. I use a down quilt, and I need to keep it bone dry. I understand a little spray here and there being handled by the bivy, but can a tarp really keep me dry in an ugly storm?

 

[Kevin_t]

There are a few flat tarp pitches and it depends on the size of the tarp. With regards to the BT2 you can do a few more tarp like pitches as well if space permits ( use one side as an awning , pitxh with one door open etx so it is pretty flexible in steep country . Unzipping the bottom of a door a bit and opening the top help a lot with venting, as does using the inside stake outs and defeating the sod skirt. If it is windy venting is likely not needed

 

[SHTF]

Pathfinder I have a custom 10x10 flat tarp I use. tonight I may drag it out and show you a few configurations that work for me. Keep in mind I am 6' and the 10x10 has shown the best versatility for me and my setup. You have more options being smaller framed guy and using smaller tarps. This will be weather dependent if I can break it out tonight. Another option is if you use trekking poles it adds a lot of versatility to your options or you can get
Some custom poles made as I did to setup my flat tarp.

 

[DaveC]

90+ % of the time you'll be much drier with the BT2 and no bivy than with a bivy and tarp (or bivy and BT2). Aside from during a good storm the bivy will just create internal condensation problems.

A flat tarp can keep you dry-ish during a storm, but you need to pitch it low and tight. Some sort of modified a-frame is usually the way to go. The two middle guy loops on the sheep tarp will come in handy, but 60" is pretty darn narrow and will leave a very small margin for error.

 

[ndbwhunter]

Not trying to hijack, but I'm kinda in the same boat. I have been thinking about building something similar to the sheep tarp, but at 6'4 I'm not sure how well I would fit under that small of a tarp. My trekking poles aren't adjustable, so would have to rely on using branches to get a low enough angle on the tarp. There are pictures posted on the kifaru site that show some different configurations, but I'm not sure how I'll pitch it without trekking poles. Any thoughts, or should I just make a bigger tarp to use when the mountainsmith lt or pyramid tent won't work?

 

[Mad Mountain Mike]

Pathfinder have a look at these Appy Trails shelters. They're inexpensive ( around $125 ) and relatively light.( under 2 lbs ). If you're below tree line you can drop the centre pole and loose more weight. I've had this set up on a mountain top in some pretty high sustained winds and it held up well. I added the side guy out loops which made it a lot roomer inside. This is what they call the five person but if you are going to squeeze five in here I suggest that 4 of them be women, but there is room for 2 with gear.

 

[PathFinder]

The bivy in the BT2 will just be for storms, I'm getting the side zip in hopes that keeping it unzipped will keep condensation down enough. The BT2 will still be my primary shelter but I plan to utilize the tarp when the weather is good and as an on the go shelter when I don't go back to camp. I just wonder how it will hold up if I do go through an unexpected storm in it. It will be nice to save weight and space when I'm hauling treestands and cameras on summer scouting trips too. SHTF that would be great if you get a chance!

 

[SHTF]

The bivy in the BT2 will just be for storms, I'm getting the side zip in hopes that keeping it unzipped will keep condensation down enough. The BT2 will still be my primary shelter but I plan to utilize the tarp when the weather is good and as an on the go shelter when I don't go back to camp. I just wonder how it will hold up if I do go through an unexpected storm in it. It will be nice to save weight and space when I'm hauling treestands and cameras on summer scouting trips too. SHTF that would be great if you get a chance!

Np happy to setup but will be a back yard review but should give you some options.

I highly recommend either an 8x10 or 10x10 depending on your height for good coverage for the 8x10 the 10 foot side would be your side walls. Will See what I can do tonight after work.

 

[SHTF]

Here is my tarp setup as a sunshade off my kodiak canvas awning it gives you a good idea of its size

Only 25 ounces with the guy out lines attached

 

[larryschwartz]

Pathfinder,

It sounds like you are worried about wind and rain coming in from the sides with a flat pitched tarp. If that is your concern then I would suggest that you get a 10x10 foot square tarp like SHTF uses but use it as a diamond shaped tarp and not a square shaped tarp. The diamond orientation will give you flaps on the sides that you can use as walls to block the elements. An example of this is an Adirondack Wind Shed. Check out these two links for some examples of diamond pitched tarps.

http://sectionhiker.com/square-tarp-pitches/ shows some diamond pitched examples.

http://equipped.com/tarp-shelters.htm gives you a ton of ways to pitch a square/diamond tarp.

Larry

 

[Take-a-knee]

If you want the lightest shelter you can get that'll still take a blow, its hard to top Kifaru's paratarp. Not a great all-around shelter, no bug net, it is low to the ground and you pretty much crawl in and out of it, but that is why it excels as a worst case shelter that you'll always have with you. If you set that prow shaped low end into the wind when you set it up, I can't imagine a storm it wouldn't withstand if properly staked. I sold the one I had to AK Lanche and sort of regret it.

 

[luke moffat]

I sold the one I had to AK Lanche and sort of regret it.

I passed that regret right along to myself as I sold it shortly after using it a bit. Just too small for my needs as I am generally needing a shelter for 2 and its just a bit too tight. That said it is a super little shelter for 1 person. So you aren't alone in the regret.

 

[SHTF]

I passed that regret right along to myself as I sold it shortly after using it a bit. Just too small for my needs as I am generally needing a shelter for 2 and its just a bit too tight. That said it is a super little shelter for 1 person. So you aren't alone in the regret.

Yep same Luke just to small for a large guy like myself super tarp is great though and a good size for emergency weather.

Larry thanks for the second link I was looking for that. Diamond or half size tipi was one I am planning to show him. If you look at the appy trail posted above that's a solid storm setup I had driving rain 2 years ago and set my tarp up that way and it worked great for keeping me and gear dry. But with a lower peak.

 

[darcytribe]

Pathfinder,

It sounds like you are worried about wind and rain coming in from the sides with a flat pitched tarp. If that is your concern then I would suggest that you get a 10x10 foot square tarp like SHTF uses but use it as a diamond shaped tarp and not a square shaped tarp. The diamond orientation will give you flaps on the sides that you can use as walls to block the elements. An example of this is an Adirondack Wind Shed. Check out these two links for some examples of diamond pitched tarps.

http://sectionhiker.com/square-tarp-pitches/ shows some diamond pitched examples.

http://equipped.com/tarp-shelters.htm gives you a ton of ways to pitch a square/diamond tarp.

Larry

Great pages Larry, Thanks

 

[HawkCreek]

I dont know some of the shelters mentioned but a simple 10x10 flat tarp can do a lot.


Not my tarp or my pictures. But this guy used a trekking pole to rig up his 10x10. Looks a tad short so a 10x12 might be better for us tall folks but it shows potential.

 

[jb79]

Good thread, I got a 6x9 jimmy tarp this year for "a always with me tarp " and so far it will work. It's a little small and hard to get some of the pitches but for a sun shade or if I decide to stay out away from my megatarp for a night I'll have some protection.

 

[gmajor]

Sorry to dredge up an older thread, but I was hoping the folks that use square tarps could share some more photos! I use a megatarp primarily, and it's a phenomenal shelter (in all ways except the price), but for summers and big day jaunts away from a basecamp, I bought a 10x10. Many resources out there but its always fun to see what other roksliders are doing - those of you that run a flat tarp.

 

[SHTF]

Sorry to dredge up an older thread, but I was hoping the folks that use square tarps could share some more photos! I use a megatarp primarily, and it's a phenomenal shelter (in all ways except the price), but for summers and big day jaunts away from a basecamp, I bought a 10x10. Many resources out there but its always fun to see what other roksliders are doing - those of you that run a flat tarp.

Thanks for dredging it up. After you did I start doing some research found this video. My next tarp setup is going to a tipi style Check out this video and how to set it up. Ive got plenty of shelters but this is intriguing. Cant wait to work this pitch out. Looks super easy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_TTAAzvybA

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I prefer a tarp with doors. Have used the Mega Ogee for hammock camping for years and it has performed flawlessly in all kinds of serious weather. It's a bit bigger but a small weight penalty and quite versatile.

[video=youtube;lG_S4adI22o]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG_S4adI22o[/video]

 

[camelcluch]

Bear Paw Wilderness Designs has a few 10x10's in their clearance items. $95