Tarps

[STAINLESS90]

I use a sheep tarp, add some tie outs and poles and there are a lot of options to pitch it. You can go from just an inclined overhang all the way to a mini three side teepee.

 

[Mosby]

I have a Sheep tarp and just bought a DST a few weeks ago. I carry the Sheep tarp with me just about all the time when hunting. Great for sun shade or rain or keeping my gear dry overnight. Pretty compact. I got the DST for when my son or nephew is with me and I want a bigger tarp. I think tarps are an important piece of gear out west. A lot of uses.

 

[Mike Islander]

Got to use my Zpacks pocket tarp with doors this past elk season. All I can say is WOW! This thing is crazy light (only 5.2 oz!), and with the added doors it offered me full 360 degree protection (if you don't want the doors it weighs a whopping 4 oz). I originally wanted a flat tarp, but the thought of the wind making the rain "blow sideways" made me hesitate. The pocket tarp serves great for everything I need. It's super lightweight, gives me full protection from the elements, it's easy to set up with 1 trekking pole, and it also has a surprising amount of room for me, plus a lot of gear. This probably wouldn't serve you as well if glassing is your primary use. But as an emergency shelter (or in my case, my primary bivy shelter), this is another great option.

Was really not liking the weight on what amounts to an emergency tarp, so based on your post I ordered one of these! I justified it by telling myself I'll use it out West as my primary shelter, because here in the Lowcountry there aren't many nights you can get away without a mesh. I do like to camp locally in what passes for winter down here (four trips since Christmas already), so hopefully we'll get cold enough days to eliminate the skeeters.