I've been asked a few times at meets about the wind shelter I use when I'm sleeping on the floor so I thought I ought to post something up about it.
It's a very simple set up using a square tarp but it is slightly counter intuitive because it rigs from the sides rather than the corners.
Start by attaching the middle of two adjacent edges to a ridge line and pegging the middle of the other two edges to the ground.
For best results I add prussic loops to the ridge line to stretch the tarp to each side.
This leaves two corners that can now be pegged down to make wind breaks at each side and a triangular flap that stretches forward with a guy line to provide extra protection from rain.
I usually roll up the spare corner at the back of the shelter and guy out the centre point of the tarp as well to improve the internal space a little.
Using a 3x3m tarp this provides a cosy little shelter just about the right size for my bedding and gear but still leaves a side open to enjoy the evening air or even a small cooking fire.
If you are having trouble visualising this, take a square piece of paper and fold all the corners into the middle.
When you open two opposite corners half way, so they stand at 90 degrees to the surface of the square, you can then turn it over so that it will stand on a table and it should now be a lot clearer.
It's a very simple set up using a square tarp but it is slightly counter intuitive because it rigs from the sides rather than the corners.
Start by attaching the middle of two adjacent edges to a ridge line and pegging the middle of the other two edges to the ground.
For best results I add prussic loops to the ridge line to stretch the tarp to each side.
This leaves two corners that can now be pegged down to make wind breaks at each side and a triangular flap that stretches forward with a guy line to provide extra protection from rain.
I usually roll up the spare corner at the back of the shelter and guy out the centre point of the tarp as well to improve the internal space a little.
Using a 3x3m tarp this provides a cosy little shelter just about the right size for my bedding and gear but still leaves a side open to enjoy the evening air or even a small cooking fire.
If you are having trouble visualising this, take a square piece of paper and fold all the corners into the middle.
When you open two opposite corners half way, so they stand at 90 degrees to the surface of the square, you can then turn it over so that it will stand on a table and it should now be a lot clearer.
