Camping with a tarp in the open.

[Peter_gent]

I’ve already done a week long survival class many years ago and they recommended a tarp instead of a tent because it’s more compact and it weighs less.

Having said that I’m really crap at using tarps without two trees to create a watershed - having two trees for a hammock as well is alright. Does anyone have any suggestions for shaping tarps when you’re in open ground? I guess I could use a walking stick or two but who wants to carry around d wooden sticks or otherwise to shelter under a tarp in the open.

Thx

PLG.

 

[Chris]

Telescopic basha poles, bungees and tent pegs is the way to go in my opinion.

Basha Pole

Bivi / Basha Pole Extending 2 section aluminium poles Sold individually (1 Pole included) Pack length: 24in Fully extended length: 42in Weight Approx: 270g

goarmy.co.uk

 

[Limaed]

Well quite a few hikers use their walking poles to prop up a tarp - there’s no extra weight here as they are carrying them anyway so it’s a good system. Tarps aren’t always that light and you might need a bivi bag too. When you add the weight together it might be more than a lightweight tent. My preference would be a tent for the open and a tarp for the woods. If you’re still keen on tarp setups look on DD tarps homepage as they have a page with lots of ideas.

 

[C_Claycomb]

I’ve already done a week long survival class many years ago and they recommended a tarp instead of a tent because it’s more compact and it weighs less.

Having said that I’m really crap at using tarps without two trees to create a watershed - having two trees for a hammock as well is alright. Does anyone have any suggestions for shaping tarps when you’re in open ground? I guess I could use a walking stick or two but who wants to carry around d wooden sticks or otherwise to shelter under a tarp in the open.

Thx

PLG.

Having been a devotee of tarps, and tarps with hammocks, for many years, I would suggest you look at trekking poles tents, and things like floorless tents and tipis.
For example, One Tigris.

Tarps can be lighter and compact, but those Aussie military stretcher hootchies weighted a lot for their size. Tents have got lighter, and some tents have become more like shaped tarps.

For tarp ideas….
Jed Yarnold’s True North tarps had good pitching configurations

Tarpology

We’re seeing more and more members enjoying tarps and camping – so its time to add a little tarpology information courtesy of Jed. Below we have : Tarp Designs, Top Tips for Tarps, and …

canoeoxford.org.uk

https://canoeoxford.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/dsc_2425.jpg

This was my first canoe trip, June 2005

 

[Falstaff]

I carry some lightweight short section tent poles, but one option without. is to use the rucksack upright at one end under tension to form a mini A frame. A very low shelter, bit like a hooped bivvy bag, and the ruck keeps out a lot of the weather.

Most of the DD's are too big and heavy for my liking, I prefer the OEX one 2x2.4m, little bit bigger than a single tarp. In the absence of a bivvy bag (rare) a small groundsheet or construction breathable membrane (Tyvek, Onduline) is light and works.

 

[Nice65]

Whatever way you look at it you'll either need trees or poles, I don't see how anyone can erect a tarp on open ground without. Telescopic or folding walking poles are lightweight and also highly useful things to have with you on difficult ground or simple river and stream crossings.

Lost track how many times I've posted this vid, it's a good one.

 

[bearbait]

Some guidelines and plans for tarp shelters also available here:

Tarp Shelters - An Introduction by David B. Macpherson - EQUIPPED TO SURVIVE (tm)

Tarp Shelters - An Introduction by David B. Macpherson - Equipped to Survive (tm) offers comprehensive information on survival equipment and skills

www.equipped.org

 

[Broch]

To be honest, there are lots of ways to use a tarp without trees or poles. If you're cycling you can use your bike as a high point; if you're canoeing you can either put your canoe on its side and have the tarp draped over (cosy), or use your paddle(s). I've usually got a walking stick with me, but I have just tied into a hedge or draped over a drystone wall. With a bit of thinking there's usually a way to tie into a rock face or use large boulders. Then there are dry ditches, fences, posts, telegraph poles - the world is full of things to tie one end of a tarp to

 

[Billy-o]

I have used used cut branches/saplings in the past a few times - not much of a one for hiking poles. Also, expandable poles, while they are guaranteed to work, can be a bit heavy unless you shell out a little

 

[Aristotle]

I have used fence posts and signposts

 

[stonepark]

Wonder how big helium balloons would need to be to work......

 

[C_Claycomb]

Wonder how big helium balloons would need to be to work......

How big is the tarp?
Would you envision carrying a small cylinder for on-site inflation, or arriving like a beach balloon salesman with a bunch tied to one’s pack?

Definitely not suitable if trying to stealth camp.

 

[stonepark]

How big is the tarp?
Would you envision carrying a small cylinder for on-site inflation, or arriving like a beach balloon salesman with a bunch tied to one’s pack?

Definitely not suitable if trying to stealth camp.

Just looked it up, to provide positive lift of a wet tarp would need circa 5kg of lift which is provided by 5m3 of helium which would fit in a 7ft diameter balloon to replace 1 pole.

Downside noted above, but on the upside "carrying" two inflated balloons as replacements for two poles would lighten your rucksack by 10kg in the walk in\out.

 

[Pattree]

Not my world but, does anyone just roll up in a tarp to kip bivi style?

 

[mrmike]

Wonder how big helium balloons would need to be to work......

Also hope that the wind direction doesn't change

 

[C_Claycomb]

Definitely tongue in cheek reply. It’s obvious that any balloon big enough to give enough lift is going to suffer from huge wind drag. Also, that any change in wind direction will have a negative effect on pitch with extra load on individual tie outs, and probable shelter collapse. Not to mention that getting helium from a balloon back into a cylinder isn’t gonna happen, so multiple pitches wouldn’t work.

A couple of carbon trekking poles is much more practical and still has that “shiny” appeal.

 

[bobnewboy]

Does nobody make an inflatable frame for a tarp? Light weight, collapsible, simple to operate. Not the toughest or stiffest, but quite possible…..?

 

[C_Claycomb]

Don't know.
Compared to pole tents, inflatable tents tend to be heavier. Their selling point is ease of set up of large structures with complex pole frames...and there being no poles to break in strong wind.

 

[mrmike]

Take a couple of inflatable trees then - sorted!

Seriously though, I think that with enough cordage and imagination it should be possible to rig at least a shallow plow point in most cases ( unless you find yourself in a flat desolate wasteland). All you need some sort of elevated tie off point, even if it is just a single 4 foot stick or a shrub or a bank...

 

[Ozmundo]

I have seen a video of a lad using a pool noodle to make an arch for his bivi.

Ultralight weight may be to suspend the tarp from a helium balloon…..