Tarps

[drakkar]

Who is tarp only ?

Do you have a preferred size or set up to stay comfy in inclement weather?

Whats the worst weather you've been comfy in? (As opposed to survived without getting soggy)

I need a new shelter, summer I pretty much use a groundsheet only. I want to buy a tent capable of snow/tassie next year, trying to work out what size tarp to fill in the other seasons as my primary shelter.

Pack size is more important to me than weight.

[Gippsmick]

A tarp is in the mix with my gear and I rely fairly heavily on it as a shelter but I wouldn't say I'm tarp only. I have multiple tents and a bivvy and use all them for different situations. I mainly use the tarp when solo light weight adventures and have also brought it along on longer groups walks to provide a communal dry space. At the moment I'm using a Terra Nova Tarp Shelter 3 silnylon at around 450 grams with guy lines attached. It's quite large at 3m x 2.9m but I love the room and the pitch options available with the larger size. The weight savings with a lighter and smaller save about 200 grams but I'm more than prepared to carry the extra weight for the flexibility a larger tarp provides me. It packs down incredibly small. I generally combine the tarp with a Tvyek ground sheet to get a great shelter than handles most situations at a total weight around 0.5 kg. I've had it in torrential downpours over multiple days, howling alpine gales, scorching summer sun, SW Tas and in the alps snow (but as a kitchen shelter, not primary shelter) - it's all in the pitch and the good old tarp can be a secure as a tent. Open to the air, it breaths really well at night and prevents condensation forming. Look around as there are far too many options available. I'd always go for one that offers flexibility with pitch as opposed to a single fixed pitch say relying on a walking pole. Perhaps consider a tarp tent as well. I love my Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo.

[drakkar]

Thanks, I was sure I posted this in gear. Wierd.

It's just in the never ending accumulation(refining?) of kit and unfortunately with other hobbies gotta be budget concious. I'm leaning to the terrarosa 'wilderness' which is 3m x 2m.

[icefest]

I use a trailstar, not sure if you'd call that a tarp or not.

I've been comfortable in a storm on High Moor - but I had a mesh inner.
It's cramped and you cannot easily sit upright, but I enjoy the weight and always having a view.

[Ellobuddha]

As far asa flat tarp Ive got a HMG 10 x 8 cuben but have only used it as a group shelter for cooking and sitting under. Its amazing how warm it is under them even when its snowing. It weight nothing so goes into pack all the time as emergency shelter

As a main shelter i have a MLD duomid. I love it. I think the trailstars are supposedly better at deflecting wind but I love being able to close up that door if the weather is moving around. I use it with and without an inner depending on location and expected forecast.

[David M]

I bought a DD 3m x 3m tarp http://www.ddhammocks.com/product/ddtar ... _green_3x3

It is a good product but I never used it in the bush because I figured that after factoring in the weight of a groundsheet and some sort of mesh system to keep the bugs and other pests at bay, I might as well have a tent anyway...

Maybe I didn't have the right approach or was missing something but I decided tarping was not for me.

[perfectlydark]

Ive recently started to tarp camp (well almost). The intention was to do it last week however with the clear skys instead I just slept under the stars which was an awesome experience. Looking at making a lightweight tarp/groudsheet at some point, and as I would most likely use it in winter away from water not too concerned about netting

[drakkar]

I bought a DD 3m x 3m tarp http://www.ddhammocks.com/product/ddtar ... _green_3x3

It is a good product but I never used it in the bush because I figured that after factoring in the weight of a groundsheet and some sort of mesh system to keep the bugs and other pests at bay, I might as well have a tent anyway...

Maybe I didn't have the right approach or was missing something but I decided tarping was not for me.

It's only camping in swampy area's I've had problems with bugs. A little bushmans usually keeps em at bay... Critters are only an issue in populated campgrounds with regular messy visitors, cook/eat a little away from where you sleep and no issues. Weight with a groundsheet can be easily sub 400grams.
Travelling UL on my bike - Pack space is a huge issue. I have a 13L saddle bag, and a 13L drybag on a sling on the front to squeeze my gear. So its a cheap and very attractive way of shrinking my kit.

It's also nice to string up a tarp quickly to have a bite of lunch out of the rain if the weather isn't as kind.

I can see were you are coming from though, and it's definetly not a 'whole' solution.

[melinda]

Heh there drakkar,
I've been using a Cuben Fibre Grace Tarp Duo for a couple of years now in NSW.
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/sh ... cts_id=132
I got the 2 man version, heaps of room. You would easily sleep 3 in it in a pinch. And it weighs 225gms!
Beautifully made, has stood up to all types of weather and you can see the stars thru it in the night!
I use a tyvek ground sheet with it.
I've slept in this on many wet windy nights, never got wet!
I do use a tent in Tassie, but that is mainly because I do long trips there.
Wouldn't hesitate to use a tarp in Tas if it was only for a night or two, and I had a decent weather forecast.
I think Icefest is brave taking on the WA's in a trailstar!