tarp shelters

[corndog-44]

Anybody here use a tarp for a makeshift shelter rather than using a tent while out hiking and camping?

[Fog_Harbor]

I have in the past, and do occasionally when the need arises, but not usually when I hike, and never when practicing skills.

[survivalhike]

I am planning on practicing this skill when we do our next hike/camp in about a month. I keep 2 large clear plastic garbage bags in my survival kit, and I think I can whip up a waterproof shelter out of that and some duct tape that I have in the kit as well. I am encouraging everyone who goes with me on these trips to learn everything they can just in case the s**t hits the fan and we actually have to know how to do some of these things.

Being used to these activities will make them easier to handle should the event come along where they are no longer practice.

[wareagle69]

yo survival hike welcome to the forum
just so i have an idea of what's up, where is the trip that you are planning to take i used to live in az for several yrs and have done many solo treks the longest being 3 months, so i can picture where you will be and try to help anticipate some of your needs.

[survivalhike]

I sent you a private email, but just in case you see this first we'll be going in March from the Childs Power plant and following the verde river south 41 miles to the Horseshoe lake campground. Hopefully doing it all in 5 days.

[FVR]

When I go by myself (no family), all I take is a 9x9 canvas tarp and a wool blanket. Roll the blanket into the tarp to keep it dry.

Works great. In the rain it shed water, just don't touch the inside of the canvas or you will start a drip.

When not in prim. mode I always take my mil. poncho. Makes a great tent, roll up, and of course a poncho. I've been hunting when a major thunder storm came in. I was rifle hunting on the ground in my old mod. chair (comfy) put the poncho on over myself, chair, and rifle. It rained for 3 hours, I stayed dry and even fell asleep.

[rusty_oxydado]

Tent?
A pain in the back if you have to pack it, and that much extra weight that could go to a luxury item or two.
A tarp is fine, Lay it out and sleep on it like a groung cloth, it it starts to rain, just roll half of it over on you.
In a snow camp, dig the snow down to the ground, fold the tarp over you, makes a much smaller airspace to heat, you sleep warmer.

Rusty.

[carcajou garou]

I have a tarp that is pre-sown into a Whelen lean style, pretty effecient.

[U.KMarine-Red4]

Anybody here use a tarp for a makeshift shelter rather than using a tent while out hiking and camping?

Sort of mate. Use tarp in O.P's, lightweight and small... perfect

[sticks65]

i often use a tarp when i go woodland camping,I like tarps because you can watch the nocturnal wild life and still be warm and comfy in your sleeping bag and your shelterd from the rain but still outdoors unlike a tent so good luck with your tarp you,ll love it

[U.S.Marine2111]

If you have the coin Kiraru seems to make a nice tarp/tent. It is pretty pricey though, I think $300, but it weighs almost nothing and compresses to the size of a nalgene bottle.

[sh4d0wm4573ri7]

tarps are awesome , light , multiple setup efficient shelter I love them however they as all shelter types have their own plus and drawbacks my choice after living 34 years in minneasota , Wis., Michigin , Il , TN in my later years , I use a tarp, a 2 man eureka backpacking tent, and a 4 man swiss dome tent all have served me well in my many camping, hunting, fishing , backpacking , hiking excursions over the years.

[swampyankee]

I camp year round in the mountains of the northeast with a tarp and a bivy. Under almost all conditions I prefer it to a tent.

[STB]

Hey
I had a question about the tarps. Iv used them sometimes while in my lean too so i don't make any holes in my sleeping bag over the winter. But was wondering if i was out and only had a tarp and it rained it tie it over me so the rain does not fall on me yes. but what about the rain the flows along the ground? Iv been lucky for when i bring just a tarp, it has not rain yet, but if i did how would i stop that? I guess i could make a little pocket for my sleeping bag to go into that is sewn and sealed, but what about over my head? And this would work up to my shoulders what would i do then...Just wondering what if theres something else i should be doing.
THanks

[corndog-44]

Sometimes it is late, dark, chilly, and starting to rain by the time you find a decent camp site. I like to use the Quick Tarp Shelter under those conditions. Tie one corner of the tarp to a tree, piece of brush, limb, rock knob, anything. Pull the opposite corner out against the wind and stake down. Then stake the other corners. Make a few minor adjustments; stake other tie tabs.

If the wind is swirling around, tie the tree corner low on the trunk. Try to pitch in a sheltered place so wind won't blow rain back into the open front of your homemade cave. The shelter is large and if the wind is consistent, you can really have a dry and snug lair. The negatives are shifting wind and the tendency of high wind to blow the tarp flat against your sleeping bed. You can reduce this tendency by running a line from the tree trunk to the end corner stake.

The size of tarp I like to use is 10-ft. by 10-ft. Damming with sod or trenching the side where water is entering should do the trick until you find a better site.

[MCBushbaby]

I'm a minimalist when i camp but I still bring a tent over a tarp anyday... except in the winter since my tent is not freestanding. But, to keep the minimalist gods appeased, my tent is a "tarptent" Contrail from Henry Shires (http://www.tarptent.com/). Best money I ever spent... 1.5lb with pole and stakes, incredibly small pack size, nice and strong material.

[Beo]

Just saw this thread, if I don't take my shelter half I use a 7' by 7' brown canvas tarp and make a diamond shelter, it works great just used one this past weekend. Check out the weekends a coming, thread.

[tfisher]

I use either 1 or 2 Military Basha Tarps instead of a tent.

[go2ndAmend]

I have almost always used a small tent. No water from above or below and no insects either. A good nights sleep is a necessity. I have no aversion to a tarp under the right circumstances though. Heny shires makes great ultra light tents.

[JDJ]

I've used a tarp many a time instead of a tent. Camped in january in Franconia notch in -30's with a tarp facing downhill and a big boulder in the front of that.

Water bags over the fire froze solid, they were 8 degrees.

Woke up hearing the most beautiful sound ever, and then my face hurt like hell...my breath was freezing on the tarp over my head and the frozen moisture was falling back down onto my face.

Tarps are handy, they fit almost anywhere and when things are going really not so well you can just climb under the tarp.