Questions for tarp users...

[FNM]

Hi all,

I’ve never used tarps as shelter before - always been a tent user. I’ve never really been able to wrap my head around how they protect one from the elements (hammock thread won’t be far away!). Now that I own the Dan Durston X-mid, which can be used fly-only, I’m keen to try it in that form with the idea that I could add to my outdoor gear collection with a tarp down the track.

I’m sure more questions will arise, but straight off the bat:

- How do you know whether or not you are heading into an area where bugs (esp mozzies) are going to be an issue? Are there environmental factors or is it simply knowing the area? What do you do if camping in unexpectedly buggy areas? Have you ever woken up with nasty bites?

- How do you keep yourself/gear dry if it rains? The way I picture it is that rain would come down the sides and then either soak the ground until it reaches the sleep area or trickle across the ground into the sleep area? Especially at the ends of the tarp, how do you avoid rain from blowing in? Or more to the point, how windy does it have to be for the rain to fall at such an angle that it will blow in?

- Do you use them during certain seasons only? Or can they be suitable year round for general use? (Ie, not thinking alpine, but temperature wise, do you use them below 0 for example?)

- Do you solely use tarps? Or is it part of a multi-shelter ‘quiver’? .. choice of shelter dependent on weather forecast..

Looking forward to hearing the responses. It’s something that I feel like I could get into when heading out in warmer months and stable weather where not likely to be in need of life-saving shelter, to begin with. Wouldn’t say I’m super comfortable with the idea of bugs/other creatures having access to me, but think I’d get used to it and am aware that you can add very light inners.

Cheers

[Warin]

Pitch.
For wind driven rain, pitch the tarp so that the windward side of the tarp;
touches the ground, Or
the trap folds back over itself, the lower part forming a ground sheet while the upper part forms the fly.

You don't pitch your tent in a hollow where the water will flow towards the inside of the tent, why would you do it when you pitch a tarp?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6y8ojas_Os

Climate & bugs
Winter = very few bugs.

[FNM]

Pitch.
For wind driven rain, pitch the tarp so that the windward side of the tarp;
touches the ground, Or
the trap folds back over itself, the lower part forming a ground sheet while the upper part forms the fly.

You don't pitch your tent in a hollow where the water will flow towards the inside of the tent, why would you do it when you pitch a tarp?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6y8ojas_Os

Climate & bugs
Winter = very few bugs.

Sweet. Thanks. So I had it backwards, and using a tarp actually makes more sense in winter! Watched a couple of that guy’s YouTubes. Handy!

I guess I was also thinking in terms of an unexpected downpour during the night - ie, don’t know which way the rain would be blowing in. Wouldn’t take a whole lot to quickly lower the sides for the storm-ready pitch and maybe the likelihood of the rain happening to be coming down in a way that it’s blowing in the ends is so unlikely as to not even worry about it?

To be honest, I haven’t been caught out all that often in downpours so my image of the water coming into the sleeping area by soaking the ground or trickling across it, might also be off the mark.

[Warin]

I guess I was also thinking in terms of an unexpected downpour during the night - ie, don’t know which way the rain would be blowing in.

Direction of wind = direction of rain.
It is fairly well known where 'most' weather changes come from in most areas...
In Tassie the roaring 40s are dominate, so anywhere from North west to South West.
You'll have to study climate data for the area your interested in - look at the BOM climate maps wind roses.

The BOM do a 7 day forecast for most areas of Oz. Use it?

[FNM]

I guess I was also thinking in terms of an unexpected downpour during the night - ie, don’t know which way the rain would be blowing in.

Direction of wind = direction of rain.
It is fairly well known where 'most' weather changes come from in most areas...
In Tassie the roaring 40s are dominate, so anywhere from North west to South West.
You'll have to study climate data for the area your interested in - look at the BOM climate maps wind roses.

The BOM do a 7 day forecast for most areas of Oz. Use it?

Cheers. Do you use always use your tarp? Or is it weather/seasonal/location dependent?

[wildwanderer]

Tarping is great, small pack size and very light weight! but is condition dependent.

If you have a good tarp set up heavy rain shouldn't be a concern as long as the site is prepared so you don't have water running under the tarp.

If wind is forecast along with rain then a fly (or 360 degree tarp) is a better choice.

What can catch you out (and it caught me) is tarping in river valleys subject to heavy due especially in conditions around zero celcius. Because you cant create a warm microclimate (like in a tent), the temperature falls and the interaction of warm air generated by your body heat hitting cold surfaces like your sleeping bag outer and the underside of the tarp causes water vapor to condense directly on your sleeping bag and tarp inner surface. Ive woken up to a wet sleeping bag with frost and icicles on the inner side of the tarp!

In addition as your moving about in the morning concerned about the wetness on the surface of your sleeping bag you inevitably forget about what's above you.. brushing against the tarp..covering your shoulders and beanie in rapidly melting frost. Not great!

[Warin]

Cheers. Do you use always use your tarp? Or is it weather/seasonal/location dependent?

Knowledge is power.
I'm a tent user. But I consider other things, especially where it can be of use, now and/or in the future.
I have 'cowboy' camped and have been caught out by rain. If I cowboy camp now I have my tent deployed and ready to go but collapsed. It would be much like a 360 tarp in that situation, at least initially.

[ChrisJHC]

Bugs: get a hammock with a bug net.
Or, if a ground-dweller, a bivvy bag with a bug net.

Rain: if you sling your tarp properly, I would suggest that it is easier to stay dry with a tarp/hammock combo than a tent.
If you’re expecting heavy rain, you set up so there is no part of your gear on the ground and you avoid all surface water.
I once set up my hammock / tarp across a small stream so I could reach down in the morning to get fresh water for my brew without getting out of my quilts.

This approach also keeps you away from most snakes, bugs, etc. I had one memorable trip in a leech-infested area where I sat in my hammock with my legs dangling over the side picking the leeches off. Once de-leeched I simply swung around, did up the bug net and was safe and sound.

Seasons: year-round. I’ve had my gear down to -3 with no issues. There are videos around of hammock / tarp combos down to -40. Need pretty specialised gear but do-able.
Not my idea of a good time!

One trick with a tarp is to sling it inside “snake skins”.
These are thin sleeves that keep the tarp under control.
If you don’t think it is going to rain, keep the tarp in the snake skins and, if an unexpected shower comes, it only takes 30 seconds to pull the snake skins back and peg out the tarp.

When I did the Larapinta, I didn’t sling my tarp at all except for the last night. That was because there was a 20% chance of rain and I didn’t want to take the chance of wet gear when heading back to Alice.
There’s nothing better than spending a night being able to look up at the stars. Usually, however, I’m fast asleep before I have a chance to do much star-gazing.

The best way to educate yourself is to either:
1. Go to hammockforums.net or
2. Search for “Shug Emery” on YouTube. Note that he is a professional clown so his presentation can be different, however he is a wealth of knowledge on all things hammock and tarp-related.

[Petew]

I mainly use a tarp in winter so bugs less of an issue.

I also use a polychro groundsheet and tyvek sleeping bag cover. Works very well.

The tyvek sleeping bag covers can be bought from Terra Rosa gear. They are excellent for keeping off light spray and wind. I had mine made extra large so the sleeping mat fits in there as well.

There are versions available with nylon floors and bug netting too.

https://terrarosagear.com/collections/s ... ing-covers

https://terrarosagear.com/products/hood ... 044f&_ss=r

[FNM]

Tarping is great, small pack size and very light weight! but is condition dependent.

If you have a good tarp set up heavy rain shouldn't be a concern as long as the site is prepared so you don't have water running under the tarp.

If wind is forecast along with rain then a fly (or 360 degree tarp) is a better choice.

What can catch you out (and it caught me) is tarping in river valleys subject to heavy due especially in conditions around zero celcius. Because you cant create a warm microclimate (like in a tent), the temperature falls and the interaction of warm air generated by your body heat hitting cold surfaces like your sleeping bag outer and the underside of the tarp causes water vapor to condense directly on your sleeping bag and tarp inner surface. Ive woken up to a wet sleeping bag with frost and icicles on the inner side of the tarp!

In addition as your moving about in the morning concerned about the wetness on the surface of your sleeping bag you inevitably forget about what's above you.. brushing against the tarp..covering your shoulders and beanie in rapidly melting frost. Not great!

Thanks WW. By the sounds of it, as long as not on rock-hard surfaces, the ground should absorb any rain that runs off the tarp as opposed to it spreading either by soaking or trickle into the sleeping/gear area. That's probably the main thing that I made an incorrect assumption about.

I need to learn a bit more about dew and when to expect it and also how outside moisture interacts with human heat and the impact on tents etc. At the Grampians last week, tent was saturated by the time we went to bed. I don't know what dictates that - temperature, cloud cover/clear skies, elevation (we were at about 500m), there were streams 5-10 mins walk away but only small streams, latitude ... all things to discover.

[FNM]

Bugs: get a hammock with a bug net.
Or, if a ground-dweller, a bivvy bag with a bug net.

Rain: if you sling your tarp properly, I would suggest that it is easier to stay dry with a tarp/hammock combo than a tent.
If you’re expecting heavy rain, you set up so there is no part of your gear on the ground and you avoid all surface water.
I once set up my hammock / tarp across a small stream so I could reach down in the morning to get fresh water for my brew without getting out of my quilts.

This approach also keeps you away from most snakes, bugs, etc. I had one memorable trip in a leech-infested area where I sat in my hammock with my legs dangling over the side picking the leeches off. Once de-leeched I simply swung around, did up the bug net and was safe and sound.

Seasons: year-round. I’ve had my gear down to -3 with no issues. There are videos around of hammock / tarp combos down to -40. Need pretty specialised gear but do-able.
Not my idea of a good time!

One trick with a tarp is to sling it inside “snake skins”.
These are thin sleeves that keep the tarp under control.
If you don’t think it is going to rain, keep the tarp in the snake skins and, if an unexpected shower comes, it only takes 30 seconds to pull the snake skins back and peg out the tarp.

When I did the Larapinta, I didn’t sling my tarp at all except for the last night. That was because there was a 20% chance of rain and I didn’t want to take the chance of wet gear when heading back to Alice.
There’s nothing better than spending a night being able to look up at the stars. Usually, however, I’m fast asleep before I have a chance to do much star-gazing.

The best way to educate yourself is to either:
1. Go to hammockforums.net or
2. Search for “Shug Emery” on YouTube. Note that he is a professional clown so his presentation can be different, however he is a wealth of knowledge on all things hammock and tarp-related.

Thanks for the links Chris. Hammocks are another area altogether that I'd like to learn about, so happy to go exploring that site/channel. Didn't realise hammocks and tarps worked hand-in-hand either and had wondered how hammock users stay dry!

[Neo]

Have been woken up by a wombat and also eaten alive by mozzies.

Tarp camping is great. Site selection and a ground sheet, rain drips off the edges and soaks into the ground most times.

I always park and/or pitch to compensate for the wind direction, be it vehicle, tent or tarp.

I wouldn't choose sleeping under a tarp beside a coastal lake, wetland or if expecting ticks and leeches.

The more tie-out points the better.

[FNM]

I mainly use a tarp in winter so bugs less of an issue.

I also use a polychro groundsheet and tyvek sleeping bag cover. Works very well.

The tyvek sleeping bag covers can be bought from Terra Rosa gear. They are excellent for keeping off light spray and wind. I had mine made extra large so the sleeping mat fits in there as well.

There are versions available with nylon floors and bug netting too.

https://terrarosagear.com/collections/s ... ing-covers

https://terrarosagear.com/products/hood ... 044f&_ss=r

Sounds like the time to try inner-less would be now, if not for the restrictions! Ah well... I noticed a photo of your setup in one of the other threads and had been wondering what was wrapped around your sleep setup. Is the use of the groundsheet and tyvek to protect the pad from puncture? Or are there other reasons? Like is it also to play a role in keeping your gear a little cleaner generally by not having sleeping bags hanging off the side onto dirt etc? .. I was thinking of cutting my own sheet to size of my pad and then using elastic to hold in place under my pad - like a reverse mattress protector, instead of carrying an entire groundsheet with my tent and then thought it could also double as protection if sleeping without inner.. or have a lighter one for tent and heavier one for direct to ground.

[FNM]

Have been woken up by a wombat and also eaten alive by mozzies.

Tarp camping is great. Site selection and a ground sheet, rain drips off the edges and soaks into the ground most times.

I always park and/or pitch to compensate for the wind direction, be it vehicle, tent or tarp.

I wouldn't choose sleeping under a tarp beside a coastal lake, wetland or if expecting ticks and leeches.

The more tie-out points the better.

Good to know! I think site selection is another area I could learn a thing or two!

Being woken by a wombat would scare the bejesus out of me I reckon

[commando]

If the mozzies don't get you the ants will, the animal kingdom just love their nocturnal adventures.
If i have a choice between a $20 hoochie and a $20 tent, the tent wins.

[Petew]

I mainly use a tarp in winter so bugs less of an issue.

I also use a polychro groundsheet and tyvek sleeping bag cover. Works very well.

The tyvek sleeping bag covers can be bought from Terra Rosa gear. They are excellent for keeping off light spray and wind. I had mine made extra large so the sleeping mat fits in there as well.

There are versions available with nylon floors and bug netting too.

https://terrarosagear.com/collections/s ... ing-covers

https://terrarosagear.com/products/hood ... 044f&_ss=r

Sounds like the time to try inner-less would be now, if not for the restrictions! Ah well... I noticed a photo of your setup in one of the other threads and had been wondering what was wrapped around your sleep setup. Is the use of the groundsheet and tyvek to protect the pad from puncture? Or are there other reasons? Like is it also to play a role in keeping your gear a little cleaner generally by not having sleeping bags hanging off the side onto dirt etc? .. I was thinking of cutting my own sheet to size of my pad and then using elastic to hold in place under my pad - like a reverse mattress protector, instead of carrying an entire groundsheet with my tent and then thought it could also double as protection if sleeping without inner.. or have a lighter one for tent and heavier one for direct to ground.

The reason I use the polychro groundsheet and soft tyvek sleeping bag cover is it keeps all the important stuff bone dry and adds an extra layer of puncture protection (though not much) for my mat. I use a quilt so it really cuts down on sneaky cold drafts and I can cover my head if needs be.

The tarp I use is a Sea to Summit escapist tarp, 3 X 3m. I've been very happy with it. Not too expensive, really well made and reasonably light.

[wildwanderer]

Thanks WW. By the sounds of it, as long as not on rock-hard surfaces, the ground should absorb any rain that runs off the tarp as opposed to it spreading either by soaking or trickle into the sleeping/gear area. That's probably the main thing that I made an incorrect assumption about.

I need to learn a bit more about dew and when to expect it and also how outside moisture interacts with human heat and the impact on tents etc. At the Grampians last week, tent was saturated by the time we went to bed. I don't know what dictates that - temperature, cloud cover/clear skies, elevation (we were at about 500m), there were streams 5-10 mins walk away but only small streams, latitude ... all things to discover.

Essentialy yes, as long as the water table is low then most rain will soak into the ground. However if your in a place like NZ or anywhere you have high rainfall combined with very steep mountains flowing down to narrow river valleys then watch out! Your tarping experience could quickly turn into a lilo adventure!

Regarding dew. It mainly been camping by streams where there is a lot of grass that ive had issues. Not sure if the grass mattered but ive had less problems by streams when the ground has been just dirt or rocky. YMMV.

[Baeng72]

Aliexpress Tivek bivy, bit cheaper than Terrarosa but no mesh.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3303104 ... web201603_

[Petew]

Aliexpress Tivek bivy, bit cheaper than Terrarosa but no mesh.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3303104 ... web201603_

Almost 50g heavier than the Terra Rosa one (without hood). Perhaps a different grade of tyvek? The Terra Rosa ones are soft touch tyvek, feels soft like fabric.

It does have a hood and zip which probably explains the extra weight.

[Baeng72]

Aliexpress Tivek bivy, bit cheaper than Terrarosa but no mesh.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3303104 ... web201603_

Almost 50g heavier than the Terra Rosa one (without hood). Perhaps a different grade of tyvek? The Terra Rosa ones are soft touch tyvek, feels soft like fabric.

It does have a hood and zip which probably explains the extra weight.

It's soft. At least my one is. I've never come near the Terra Rosa one, so can't compare.

[Petew]

Aliexpress Tivek bivy, bit cheaper than Terrarosa but no mesh.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3303104 ... web201603_

Almost 50g heavier than the Terra Rosa one (without hood). Perhaps a different grade of tyvek? The Terra Rosa ones are soft touch tyvek, feels soft like fabric.

It does have a hood and zip which probably explains the extra weight.

It's soft. At least my one is. I've never come near the Terra Rosa one, so can't compare.

Sounds like the same stuff.

[Moondog55]

My experience says that while tarps are great if you take the optimum size tarp but you also take a bivvy you don't save much weight wise. The optimum tarp size for me was always at least one size bigger than the one I brought with me. If you think you can use a hootchie size 1800 * 2400 then 2400 * 3600 would be better.
The great benefit of tarps is being able to put them high enough off the ground so you can stand up under one, although you can only do that when the rain is falling vertically

[Huntsman247]

I love the trap setup. I've got a lightweight 3x3m tarp which is lighter than my cheaper hootchie that I started with. The larger it is the more comfortable you end up being and have room for gear and cooking. I hate low pitch or A frame setups that you need to crawl into. Defeats the point to use a tarp in my opinion.
I like using a bug bivvy with it.
I don't use the tarp for weight reasons but love that open feeling. However with a bug bivvy and a tyvek groundsheet it still works out lighter than my tent.
Because I do a lot of photography I usually forgo the more sheltered camps for spots with better views but are usually more exposed to the elements.

If it's windy, raining heavily or that misty rain that floats around in the air a bit. I'll admit a tarp really is one of the crappiest things you could be in. Lol. Hard to sleep when mist whips up against your face every few minutes.
You can do a lot to make a tarp into more of a tentlike structure but that only works when your on flatter pegable soil. There are many wilderness places where tarp storm setups are just not possible.
I did a week long trip last year in 80km wind in late July. I didn't think the tarp would survive but it did. They where pretty miserable nights. I found the condensation buildup was pretty bad in the sleeping bag and under the tarp. Even when the surrounding grass was dry. The tarp was completely covered in ice inside and out.
With using a tarp it's an awesome feeling of openness but one I think needs to be comfortable with the possibility of some soggy, cold or dusty nights if the weather turns.

[Equivocator]

- How do you know whether or not you are heading into an area where bugs (esp mozzies) are going to be an issue?

Generally experience/local knowledge. But these things are easy to work out too. Cold and good breeze = Less mozzies.

- How do you keep yourself/gear dry if it rains?

Pitch it lower so it can't come in the sides. Very rarely am I out in heavy heavy windy sideways rain. A very shallow (dragged by a stick/trekking pole tip) trench is all that's needed to divert heavier rain in hard ground, light rain generally soaks into soft forest ground rather than run off. As long as you picked a decent spot to setup you're good.

- Do you use them during certain seasons only?

I've used mine below zero a few times. Again you can pitch it in the direction of wind to cut most of it out. Depending on where I go (in summer) I prefer the tarp as I can pitch it higher for better airflow.

- Do you solely use tarps?

Nope, I primarily use my tent. Though if I'm with someone new to hiking that needs to borrow gear, they generally get my tent and I tarp. Sometimes I just tape the tarp 'because.'