Sleeping under a Tarp with Leeches and Ticks and....

[Earthling]

Ive been doing and going to do more hiking in leech/tick territory in Qld. Ive been using the Tarptent Contrail but looking at gearing down to something more breathable to lower the condensation on still nights whilst camping in bush. I was seriously considering the use of a silnylon tarp and a piece of plastic as a floor...however, whilst spraying vinegar on one of the more persistent bites I had from last week, I remided myself of the ticks and leeches that are there.

I figured unless I spray myself or the ground with deet (which Im not going to do as deet and me dont go together) I'm live bait during my beauty sleep hours...unless someone has an alternative answer to this predicament?
Thoughts?

[Marwood]

Hammock?

[Nuts]

U/L bivy with mesh covered opening? They can get a it warm but MLD make some very light fabric ones..

[maverick]

I ve always used a bivy to stop the creepy crawlies, but would a mosquito netting such as this http://www.equip.com.au/Products/Product.aspx?pid=123 from equip be suitable. Only $30 and 240 grams. Never used one myself but have thought about it for clear nights

[Earthling]

Hammock?

Yes I was thinking a hammock too..means more weight though...

U/L bivy with mesh covered opening? They can get a it warm but MLD make some very light fabric ones..

A bug bivy! 6oz is pretty light
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/sh ... ucts_id=55

Thanks guys, looking good so far.
See what else I can find.

[Nuts]

Bug bivy.. Yes, of course (why didnt i think of that) I have their superlight biv, fits everything inside and weighs nothing.. (well, in the old school sense anyhow..) bug bivy would be lots Cooler

[Earthling]

Way cool ;P

http://gossamergear.com/shelters/shelte ... anopy.html
I wonder if GG's bug canopy would do the trick...hot summer nights wouldnt cover enough, but the rest of the time would be good. But as its not sealed I wonder how many figure out to crawl between sleeping bag and netting get to my blood?

[michael_p]

I have the silnylon version of the Minimalist 1 Bug Bivy from Bearpaw: http://www.bearpawwd.com/shelters_floors/minimalist1_bivy.html.

Small, lightweight, compact and bug proof. I hang the bivy from a string line under my tarp. Only complaint is the floor is super slippery and needs to have some silicone stripes added for grip.

I also use one of those cheap painters drop sheets (cut in half) from Bunnings as a ground sheet.

A suggestion for a tarp, have a look at the DD Hammocks 3x3 tarp. The tarp itself (sans guylines and pegs) weighed in at 600g. I have one and they are well made for the price.

Cheers,
Michael.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Hammock,

I've just returned a few hours ago from a one week hike with my Hammock and Silnylon Tarp. Had the best sleep, and up away from all ticks and leeches, and they where out by the thousands, particularly the leeches. My feet though are not in the best condition, Blisters galore on my heels and nasty black big toe on both feet, one of my toe nails is coming off. Wish I could find a pair of boots that will fit me.

[cams]

Ive been doing and going to do more hiking in leech/tick territory in Qld. Ive been using the Tarptent Contrail but looking at gearing down to something more breathable to lower the condensation on still nights whilst camping in bush. I was seriously considering the use of a silnylon tarp and a piece of plastic as a floor...however, whilst spraying vinegar on one of the more persistent bites I had from last week, I remided myself of the ticks and leeches that are there.

I figured unless I spray myself or the ground with deet (which Im not going to do as deet and me dont go together) I'm live bait during my beauty sleep hours...unless someone has an alternative answer to this predicament?
Thoughts?

I've considered the same issues. Ants are probalby the thing that irk me the most. Some people just seem to be able to deal with it. I remember a night at Lamington. There were giant bull ants everywhere and I was being very careful about entering my tent without letting any in. My mate slept well under his tarp with no bug protection. He even woke up to see a king cricket staring him in the face. Those things have got to be one of the freakiest looking bugs ever.

Anyway, will be interested to see how you go. I've got an alpinlite 1.5 person bug tent. But I've found that it is a bit of an annoying half way comprimise between a full tent and just a bug bivvy. Not big enough to sit up in but too big to work around easily if you're not inside it and heavier than a bivvy.

[Earthling]

Ive decided on a GG Spinn Twinn
http://gossamergear.com/shelters/shelte ... -tarp.html

and a BearPaw Designs Minimilast1 Bug Bivy in cuben
http://www.bearpawwd.com/shelters_floor ... _bivy.html

Probably be around the 500gram mark with pegs and line.
I chose the Min1 as it had the biggest opening out of the several I looked at. Some had some bizzare methods of entry...
Also light in Cuben as the best of them.

The Spinn Twinn because its reasonably large at 9 3/4' x 9' , great reviews and hopefully I can adjust the setup if need be...I hope. If not, it might be here for sale soon....

Was very tempted by the MLD Trailstar, but the 17oz kept on keeping me from hitting the cash button.

[Ticklebelly]

If someone could direct me to an instructional manual or video, it'd be super appreciated. What kind of Hammock would one of you talks recommend? Thanks, all!

A few are suggesting a hammock sub-forum here, but in the meantime, try here -

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/index.php

Come back and start a discussion, quite a few will join in.

Ticklebelly

[Bluegum Mic]

Another good source of info (plus he's pretty darn amusing) is shug off the above mentioned forum. If you Google/search you tube for shug emery you'll find he's done around 10 videos on all the basics of hammocking.

[wildlight]

Earthling, while my suggestion is not a "tarp" per se, there is a freestanding tent called an Easton Kilo. My missus and I have spent around 30 nights in ours. When there is no rain forecast, it works as a mesh tent, which nothing can crawl into once we zip up. It sets up in seconds, also has a detachable fly, and will keep you dry in a horrendous downpour- we have tested it in one. It is worth a look, they have a "less than 900gram" 1 person version, also.

It's an absolute gem, for what it is.

Cheers

Wildlight