This sis an easy way to set up a simpleand cheap shelter (£3-4) and are perfect for people that are new to bushcraft or for those who just wnat to keep things simple. A picture says more then a 1000 words so here is 2000 
Simple shelter
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That looks really great to do some sleeping in Johan
If I see it correctly, you've pitched down all 4 corners of the rectangular tarp and lifted a long side of the tarp - very easy peasy - thanks for sharing!
Only thing I must ask you : what are the dimensions of the tarp, what it is made of and where can you get it?
If I see it correctly, you've pitched down all 4 corners of the rectangular tarp and lifted a long side of the tarp - very easy peasy
- thanks for sharing!Only thing I must ask you
: what are the dimensions of the tarp, what it is made of and where can you get it? 
Ahjno said:That looks really great to do some sleeping in Johan
If I see it correctly, you've pitched down all 4 corners of the rectangular tarp and lifted a long side of the tarp - very easy peasy
Only thing I must ask you
I think it is 3,5*5 m but are not sure they come in many diffrent sizes. They are made of some plastic. You get them almost anywhere here, even find them on gas stations sometimes. They are really good and since they don´t weigh much thay are easy to bring, I have a smaller one that I can fit in my hand but it can still be made into a one man shelter. The one in the picture could 2-4 people including gear sleep in.
Here are some more ideas what you can do with a simple tarp http://www.equipped.org/tarp-shelters.htm
Very nice. i plan to get me some of that tarp myself. It's really dirt cheap and very strong + waterproof. Cost about 100 SEK or roughly £7.5 and as Viking said, can be found pretty much everywhere and can get up to 10x6 meters if you want to.
Ah the good old K.I.S.S. philosophy (Keep It Simple Stupid) nice one!!
I had a tarp similar to that (1.99 @ hypervalue)before I bought my basha
Did you find it noisy when it flaps in the wind? The reason I ask is that mine drove me crazy at night and kept distracting me from other sounds around me
I had a tarp similar to that (1.99 @ hypervalue)before I bought my basha
Did you find it noisy when it flaps in the wind? The reason I ask is that mine drove me crazy at night and kept distracting me from other sounds around me
The wind was never a problem, but the rain (rained a lot that night) was pretty noisy but that´s the same thing with all tents and tarps.
With something simple like that there is less to go wrong or forget. and it looks like there is just one line holding it up which means there is less risk of getting lines tangled as you're putting it up in a bit of a breeze, another useful feature for either beginners or more experiences bushcraftes. Weighting down the edges with logs, rocks or soil will help stop it flapping around in the wind if that bothers anyone.
thats a really good simple shelter, does anyone know anywhere where i can buy cheap tarps or tarp material?
cheers
cheers
That's a great shelter! I think that's what we call a poly tarp over here. I'm a great believer in them! 8 ft x 10 ft makes a great solo tarp. Much more resistant to sparks than a nylon tarp and if you do burn a few holes in it, they are cheaply replaced. Tough tarps.
For unplanned overnighters though, I rely on an All Weather Space blanket which I stash in my day pack.
My favorite tarp though for a planned overnighter, is a ventile tarp.
For unplanned overnighters though, I rely on an All Weather Space blanket which I stash in my day pack.
My favorite tarp though for a planned overnighter, is a ventile tarp.
odin13 said:
Thet sell cheap Tarps on Ebay, but they are noisy when the wind gets up, but if you are not bothered by that they will be fine.
I have several which are used to cover various things and they seem to do the job well with no problems.
That is great. Nice and simple...
The greatest part is that with only one open side, you stay clear from wind and rain being pushed in... Great shelter.
Three thoughts, though...
1) the fire place is a bit close to the tarp, no ? --
2) With such setups, you better sleep out of any hole in the ground. Find higher ground, otherwise you soon end up swimming around...
3) On very windy/stormy nights, you better put a few large rocks or logs on the grounded ends of your tarp. When the wind comes from the back it's usually not a problem, but when it comes the other way (wind sometimes turns around and changes direction, especially during heavy storms), the tarp entrance offers a huge surface to catch wind... The best thing still is to loosely tie at least 3-4 grommets to surrounding vegetation (using cord or whatever). I say loosely, because it allows the air to escape if it lifts the tarp, thus diminishing the traction force... The tarp will move around a bit, but it will stay there and you won't need to run around in pitch dark, high winds and rain to put it back into place... Just my two pennies
4) (I know I said 3, but nevermind) -- For true storms, a good system is to simply wrap a round rock in the middle of the tarp, and tie it from the other side with cord. That creates a grommetless (and hole-free) anchor point that allows you to hang the whole thing with all sides closed. Then you crawl into your "pyramid" and you stay dry even in the worst of thunderstorms. Just make sure you don't hang your shelter from the highest tree in the sector... !
Cheers,
David
The greatest part is that with only one open side, you stay clear from wind and rain being pushed in... Great shelter.
Three thoughts, though...
1) the fire place is a bit close to the tarp, no ?
-- 2) With such setups, you better sleep out of any hole in the ground. Find higher ground, otherwise you soon end up swimming around...
3) On very windy/stormy nights, you better put a few large rocks or logs on the grounded ends of your tarp. When the wind comes from the back it's usually not a problem, but when it comes the other way (wind sometimes turns around and changes direction, especially during heavy storms), the tarp entrance offers a huge surface to catch wind... The best thing still is to loosely tie at least 3-4 grommets to surrounding vegetation (using cord or whatever). I say loosely, because it allows the air to escape if it lifts the tarp, thus diminishing the traction force... The tarp will move around a bit, but it will stay there and you won't need to run around in pitch dark, high winds and rain to put it back into place... Just my two pennies
4) (I know I said 3, but nevermind
) -- For true storms, a good system is to simply wrap a round rock in the middle of the tarp, and tie it from the other side with cord. That creates a grommetless (and hole-free) anchor point that allows you to hang the whole thing with all sides closed. Then you crawl into your "pyramid" and you stay dry even in the worst of thunderstorms. Just make sure you don't hang your shelter from the highest tree in the sector... !Cheers,
David
And for the "hootchie/basha" variant with tarp + hammock:
Yes, it's windy if you put it up where the wind blows without anything stopping it Was nice though during the day when it was 27C with a slight breeze.. was a different thing at 3 am when the temperature was 5C
/HuBBa
Ps. this was just after setting it all up. All the equipment that was on the floor on that pic was then clipped beneath the tarp so not to damage the undergrowth & keep it dry. Ds.
Yes, it's windy if you put it up where the wind blows without anything stopping it
Was nice though during the day when it was 27C with a slight breeze.. was a different thing at 3 am when the temperature was 5C /HuBBa
Ps. this was just after setting it all up. All the equipment that was on the floor on that pic was then clipped beneath the tarp so not to damage the undergrowth & keep it dry. Ds.
steven andrews said:
Good eyes Steven. That is the Ritter RSK. That camp was done for an article I wrote in Tactical Knives reviewing the RSK and the mini kit Doug created.
Very nice tip Johan and photos are always welcome.
how does having a small rock in the centre hold the tarp up in a pyramid shape? Please help my feeble mind understand
and photos are always welcome.David it sounds cool but I can't work it out in my small head how that worksMoine said:
how does having a small rock in the centre hold the tarp up in a pyramid shape? Please help my feeble mind understand 
What you do is get a little stone, and bunch the tarp around it. This makes a kind of button in the tarp, and you tie the string around the bottom. Hold on, I'll put some pictures up.
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